On November 14, 2019, Bryan C. Skarlatos participated in the panel "Ethics, When Are You Crossing A Line? Real Life Ethical Issues in Everyday Tax Practice," at the 78th Institute on Federal Taxation in San Francisco, CA.

NEW YORK (November 1, 2019) — Kostelanetz & Fink, LLP, has been recognized as a Tier 1 National “Best Law Firm” in three categories, Tax Law, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Litigation – Tax by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for 2020.

On October 24, 2019, Bryan C. Skarlatos participated in the panel "Ethics, When Are You Crossing A Line? Real Life Ethical Issues in Everyday Tax Practice," at the 78th Institute on Federal Taxation in New York, NY.

The Bruce Hochman Award is presented each year to an individual who demonstrates outstanding proficiency in the field of tax law and best exemplifies the principals that personalized Bruce Hochman, renowned tax litigator and founder of the firm Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C. Bryan C. Skarlatos is honored to have been selected to receive the 2019 Bruce Hochman Award at this year’s UCLA Extension Annual Tax Controversy Institute on October 22, 2019.

The Annual Tax Controversy Institute provided an open forum for distinguished presenters and panelists to discuss, and debate, sometimes sensitive tax practice issues with an engaged audience. Highly regarded as a premiere annual industry event, the conference included among its attendees leading tax attorneys, CPAs, financial professionals, and representatives from the IRS. 

PLI Conference on Tax Strategies for Corporate Acquisitions, Dispositions, Spin-Offs, Joint Ventures, Financings, Reorganizations & Restructurings 2019

Bryan C. Skarlatos and Kathleen M. Pakenham discussed ethics rules related to advising clients on corporate transactions, including tax motivated transactions, and the pitfalls encountered by the advisor at every stage – from the planning of the transaction, to providing tax opinions and recommending return positions, to dealing with the IRS in audit; the ethical rules and standards derived from the Internal Revenue Code, Circular 230, the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services, and the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

NEW YORK CITY, NY (September 12, 2019) – Kostelanetz & Fink is pleased to announce that nine attorneys at the firm, including seven partners, have been selected for inclusion in the 2019 New York Metro “Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the firm’s experience and skill in the areas of Tax, Criminal Defense: White Collar, and Business Litigation.

Law360 quoted Kostelanetz & Fink LLP partner Bryan Skarlatos in their recent article on the Internal Revenue Service’s major initiative to ensure that cryptocurrency users pay their fair share of tax.

Mr. Skarlatos told Law360 that "...the 2014 guidance, though incomplete, combined with the assumption that cryptocurrency users would comply with generally accepted tax principles, is likely sufficient for the vast majority of cryptocurrency users to at least make a good-faith effort when filing. I think that for 95% of the transactions out there, you have enough guidance to know what you should do” under the current regulatory framework, Skarlatos said.

The Wall Street Journal quoted Kostelanetz & Fink LLP partner Bryan Skarlatos in their recent article on the Internal Revenue Service’s crackdown on Americans who have not reported income from cryptocurrencies. On his advice to clients who may have made money from crypto, Mr. Skarlatos said, “I tell them, ‘It’s time to put your running shoes on.’ You must get to the IRS before they find you, especially if you got a letter.”

NEW YORK (August 15, 2019) — Kostelanetz & Fink is pleased to announce that The Best Lawyers in America has recognized six of its attorneys in its 2020 edition. The Best Lawyers in America (2020 edition), released August 15, 2019, recognizes the firm’s attorneys in the areas of Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, Commercial Litigation, and Criminal Defense: White Collar. The annual list is based on a peer review process and reflects the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their peers within the same geographical regions and practice areas, according to the Best Lawyers website.