Half Day Tax Seminar (E1512699)

Howard J. Bookbinder, CPA, practices in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and is a former instructor of accounting and taxation at Rutgers University. Additionally, he frequently lectures on federal tax updates, payroll tax issues, ethics and Circular 230. Mr. Bookbinder has addressed many professional, civic and community groups in New Jersey, Ohio, New York, Alabama and Georgia, including the American Society of Women Accountants, Mended Hearts, Bergen County Bar Association, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, AARP, The Telephone Pioneers and NCCPAP. He has also lectured to firms on an in-house basis in the area of professional ethics and taxation. Mr. Bookbinder is a frequent lecturer at many tax seminars sponsored by the New Jersey Society of CPAs, the AICPA, Kean University, Rowan University and the Internal Revenue Service. He served as chairman of the Cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service for four years and is a current member of the New Jersey State Tax Committee. He has been involved with the Internal Revenue Service symposiums for IRS employees and tax practitioners for the past several years. He is a past president of the Bergen Chapter of the New Jersey Society of CPAs and a past trustee of the New Jersey Society of CPAs. He is a contributing author for the Bergen Record’s Tax Mailbag column, and has appeared on the cable TV program of the same name. Mr. Bookbinder is the author of Write-up Services for Small Businesses, a book published by the AICPA. Mr. Bookbinder is a graduate of Pace University and has attended the American Institute of Banking.

Lawrence M. Brody, Esq. is an attorney at Agostino & Associates, P.C., where his practice focuses on estate tax controversy, and general tax controversy. He has represented numerous estates and individuals before the Internal Revenue Service in high-dollar, estate and gift tax cases involving alleged deficiencies that have extended into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Before his career as a lawyer, Mr. Brody worked as an engineer for a global telecommunications company. Mr. Brody has lectured for the American Bar Association on estate and gift tax litigation. Mr. Brody earned his J.D. from Rutgers School of Law in Newark and a Master of Engineering degree from Cornell University.

Jairo G. Cano is a tax controversy and litigation attorney with Agostino & Associates, P.C. His practice is focused on complex Federal and State tax controversy matters. Mr. Cano regularly represents individuals and businesses in audits, Appeals and litigation before the United States Tax Court, New Jersey Tax Court and United States District Courts.

Prior to joining Agostino & Associates, he worked for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

In 2015, Mr. Cano was selected as a Nolan Fellow by the American Bar Association’s Tax Section. He earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and his LL.M. degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Mike has been with the Division since 2003. He started his career as a Customer Service Call Center agent before moving to the Trenton Regional Information Center where he provided direct assistance to the public. He has been with Taxation University since 2013. His customer service background has given him a well-rounded knowledge in all tax types. He recently took a primary role in representing the Division at our Small Business Workshops where he conducts presentations on New Jersey Income and Business Taxes.

Alexis is a Taxpayer Service Representative in the Taxation University Branch. She provides instruction for all tax types, computer science, and teaches personal and professional development skills in areas such as leadership and team building. Alexis’ vast tax knowledge, presenting history, and cheerful engaging disposition make her a sought after and often requested public speaker.

Alexis started with the Division’s Customer Service Center in 2001. She has since worked with the Customer Service Center Training Department and served as the administrator and trainer of the Division’s internal training department.

Alexis provides various courses and workshops to the public on taxes and programs administrated by the Division of Taxation. Her knowledge of New Jersey tax responsibilities and her experience with Internal Training has given her the opportunity to assist Division employees, New Jersey residents, small businesses, and tax professionals.

Alexis is happily married, enjoys traveling, and is a singer.

Michael Wallace, E.A. is an Enrolled Agent with Agostino & Associates, P.C., assisting the team of attorneys with various tax controversy matters. Prior to joining Agostino & Associates, Mr. Wallace worked in the pharmaceutical industry in finance and compliance operations. Mr. Wallace has worked in the field of tax as a preparer, instructor and taxpayer representative. Mr. Wallace earned his B.S. degree in Accounting from Rutgers University.

Caren Zahn, EA is an Enrolled Agent with more than 25 years experience at Agostino & Associates, P.C., representing individual and business taxpayers in all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service - audits, collections, and appeals. She also works with State and Local taxing authorities on audit/collection cases. She specializes in Offers-in-Compromise, installment agreements, innocent spouse, penalty abatements, tax returns, tax return compliance, non-filers, and audits.