Melissa Wiley and Hannah Ambinder will present a CLE webinar titled “COVID-19 Interest and Penalty Recovery and Abatement: Kwong, Abdo, and Section 7508A” for Lawline on May 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET.
The CLE program will examine how recent cases—Kwong v. United States (Court of Federal Claims) and Abdo v. Commissioner (U.S. Tax Court)—interpret and expand the scope of relief available under IRC §7508A during the COVID-19 federally declared disaster period.
When the COVID-19 emergency was declared in January 2020, IRC Section 7508A triggered a nationwide suspension of certain tax-related deadlines. That suspension remained in place until the state of emergency ended in May 2023.
This CLE will explore the statutory framework, key litigation developments, and potential avenues for taxpayer relief related to the suspension of deadlines and interest during the COVID-19 emergency.
Participants will:
You can learn more information and register here.
About Melissa
With more than 20 years of experience in tax law, Melissa has represented a diverse range of clients, from large corporations to high-net-worth individuals, in complex disputes with federal and state taxing authorities. Known for her calm, empathetic style, Melissa excels at distilling intricate tax issues into clear, actionable insights — helping her clients efficiently resolve disputes and focus on what matters most in their businesses and lives.
About Hannah
Hannah joined Kostelanetz LLP in 2025 after receiving her J.D. from Harvard Law School. While in law school, Hannah served as Executive Director of the Harvard Prison Legal Assistance Project, a student practice organization that provides legal representation to people incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons and jails. Prior to law school, Hannah was a Pre-Law Paralegal at Kostelanetz LLP.
