Kostelanetz partner Megan L. Brackney spoke with Law360’s Kat Lucero recently about becoming Chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Tax Section in August and the Tax Section’s commitment to working with the IRS and Treasury Department, even in uncertain times.
The article discusses how Megan’s stint as Chair-Elect last year and her new chairmanship are marked by turbulence in the tax bar, given the Trump administration’s workforce reductions at the IRS, changes in IRS leadership, the decision to split the Justice Department’s Tax Division between the DOJ’s Civil and Criminal divisions, and political and policy disputes that have cropped up between the administration and the ABA.
Megan acknowledged the challenges the tax bar has faced during her time as Chair-Elect and now Chair, but notes that the leaders of the ABA have been tremendous advocates for the organization and that she believes “the ABA will get through this difficult time and continue to serve the U.S. legal system.”
Of the staff and funding reductions at the IRS, Megan noted that “a core mission of the Tax Section is to ‘support the development of an equitable, efficient, and workable tax system,’ and thus we continue to advocate for full and adequate funding and staffing of the agencies.”
As for those who have left the government this year, Megan noted that the Tax Section wants to continue its work of providing a supportive network that can help tax professionals without jobs find new employment.
Despite the challenges facing the industry, Megan noted that she is optimistic about the future of the Tax Section, noting that her goals as Chair include increasing current member engagement, increasing membership overall, and continuing to work with the IRS and Treasury as it implements tax legislation passed by Congress this year. “We want to be of as much assistance as possible in whatever way is most useful to them,” Megan said of the Section’s interactions with the IRS and Treasury, which includes providing comments and information and making courtesy calls.
She also expressed pride for the “new and innovative” initiatives that the Tax Section has been spearheading, including the Women in Tax Forum and the Alaska Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The full article can be found here.
