Tax Law
SECTION UPDATE
Tax Law
By Julian A. Fortuna Taylor English Duma LLP jfortuna @ taylorenglish. com
The 2016 fiscal year has been a busy one for the Atlanta Tax Law Section. We hosted numerous luncheons, social mixers, ongoing CLEs, and many other events throughout the year. As the fiscal year comes to an end, we would like to recap these events and offer a sneak peek of the remaining events to close out the summer. The Tax Law Section kicked off the fiscal year with its Annual Joint Summer Reception with the Georgia Society of CPAs, held on August 20, 2015. The evening mixer hosted attorneys and accountants from the Atlanta area for drinks and hor d’ oeurves at the Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park. Despite the rain, 65 attendees enjoyed the evening, meeting new members and catching up with familiar faces. On Oct. 19, 2015, I moderated a lunch panel discussion on Employee Stock Ownership Plans at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. Panelists included Leah Singleton from Alston & Bird and Nick Heinz from our long-time, loyal sponsor, Mercer Capital. The specialized topic attracted more than 40 attendees, comprised of a diverse mix of attorneys, CPAs, bankers, and other professionals. On November 13, 2015, the Tax Law Section partnered with the Estate Planning and Probate Section and sponsor Diversified Trust to present the 12th Annual Estate Planning Forum at the Cobb Energy Center. The program this year was a panel discussion moderated by Steve Gorin from Thompson Coburn, with panelists Bill Lankford, Tony Turner, and Brook Lester. The panel focused on“ Estate Planning with S Corporations and Partnerships.” Steve Gorin’ s outline for the seminar was over 880 pages. The three hour interactive program attracted nearly 100 attendees, many of whom stayed for drinks and hor d’ oeurves afterwards. On Dec. 2, 2015, the Tax Law Section sponsored its semiannual Georgia Department Of Revenue / Tax Bar Liaison Committee Meeting at the State Bar of Georgia building. The panel was moderated by Richard Litwin of the Litwin Law Firm, Frank O’ Connell, General Counsel of the Georgia Department of Revenue, and Mace E. Gunter of Jones Day. The event serves as a semi-annual meeting of the Department and tax practitioners, discussing updates and developments on Georgia state tax issues, court decisions, and insight into tax items for the upcoming legislative session. The Tax Law Section offered its fourth annual“ Ethics and Professionalism” CLE seminar focusing on Circular 230 and practice before the Georgia Tax Tribunal. Similar to prior years, the speakers included the Hon. Charles R. Beaudrot, Jr., former Chief Judge of the Georgia Tax Tribunal, and attorney David F. Golden of Troutman Sanders. On March 10, 2016, the Tax Law Section held its annual social mixer at Gordon Biersch in Buckhead with the Elder Law, Estate Planning & Probate Law Sections, as well as the Financial Planning Association of Georgia. As usual, the event was well-attended and offered practitioners an opportunity to make new introductions and spend time with old friends. The Atlanta Tax Law Section was also a proud participant in the Atlanta Bar Association’ s Pro Bono March Madness. This year, the Tax Law Section joined with the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta to present a seminar on the Tax Aspects of Non Profit organizations at the annual event held on March 22nd. David Golden, Richard Litwin, Patti Richards and I all made presentations. Most recently, on April 19, 2016, the Tax Law Section held a joint luncheon with the Georgia Society of CPAs at the Buckhead Club. The luncheon offered both CLE and CPE credit, with Vice Chair Scott Wright and Madison J. Barnett, from Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, discussing Georgia state tax credits and incentives. The last two events took place on May 17, 2016 when Richard Litwin discussed Georgia State Residency and on May 23, 2016 when Georgia Department Of Revenue / Tax Bar Liaison Committee Meeting was held at the State Bar of Georgia building. The Atlanta Tax Law Section would like to thank its members, its sponsor Mercer Capital, and the Atlanta Bar Association for another great year. We are looking forward to the new fiscal year and hope to see everyone at the next event!
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER 31