Federal Tax and Estate Panning Update (E2211709)

Jeffrey Schechter, chair of the firm's Tax Controversy Department, has a varied practice in the areas of tax, tax controversies, trusts and estates and corporate law. He represents clients at all stages of disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, the New Jersey Division of Taxation and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance including audits, administrative appeals and tax litigation. Most recently Jeff has assisted many clients with domestic and offshore Voluntary Disclosures and examinations concerning income and assets not reported to the IRS. On the corporate side, he concentrates on commercial transactions, including the purchase, sale or restructuring of businesses, stock transactions, mergers and corporate agreements as well as advising clients on the tax aspects of such transactions. He also regularly represents clients concerning estate planning, estate administration and estate tax controversies. Jeff is a frequent lecturer at Rutgers Law School, ABA Tax Section Meetings as well as the New Jersey Society of CPAs on a variety of tax and corporate matters. Prior to joining Cole Schotz, he was a manager in the National Tax Department of the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in advising clients on the tax aspects of complex corporate transactions including tax-free reorganizations, tax-exempt organizations and federal tax procedure and controversies, as well as newly enacted or proposed tax legislation. For twenty years, Jeff served on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, a tax-exempt organization in Paterson which specializes in various programs throughout the State of New Jersey including seven as Chairman. These programs include participation in the Americorp National Service Program, operating housing projects for developmentally disabled persons and increasing employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged youths. Jeff received his B.B.A. from The George Washington University, his J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University School of Law, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

Tara S. Sinha is a Partner of Witman Stadtmauer, P.A., in Florham Park, New Jersey. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, estate and probate litigation, and federal and state taxation. Ms. Sinha is admitted to practice in the States of New Jersey and New York, as well as the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”) and serves on the Board of Consultors of the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Ms. Sinha is a member New Jersey, New York and Morris County Bar Associations. Ms. Sinha has been published in the New Jersey Law Journal and has also lectured for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, New York City Bar, Practising Law Institute, and other organizations. Ms. Sinha received her B.S. in Administration of Justice from Rutgers College and her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law - Newark, where she was the Senior Articles Editor of the Womens Rights Law Reporter and a Teaching Assistant for the Legal Research and Writing program. She was a Law Clerk to the Honorable Walter R. Barisonek, J.S.C.

Geoffrey Weinstein, special counsel in the Tax, Trusts & Estates Department, counsels those with business and personal interests in the greater New York City metropolitan area and South Florida. He is known as a creative advisor and problem-solver who assists in developing tax planning strategies that preserve wealth and a dedicated advocate who resolves tax controversies. Geoff advises on estate planning that involves wills, trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives. Following a death, he advises on estate administration and probate litigation. For businesses and individuals, he advises on taxation of executive compensation, including stock option incentives and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. He also reviews executive employment and severance agreements for Section 409A compliance. When tax controversies arise, Geoff represents taxpayers before federal, state and local tax authorities at all stages of the administrative process, from audit through administrative appeal. He has discretely handled numerous high-net worth residency cases in New Jersey and New York, consistently netting favorable results through confidential closing agreements that avoid the publicity of litigation. In addition, Geoff works closely with other members of the Cole Schotz team to resolve sales and use and corporate business tax audits with state tax authorities. In cases where taxpayers neglected to file tax or information returns, or have compliance issues involving offshore bank accounts and other assets, Geoff has achieved positive results through participation in federal and state voluntary disclosure programs and procedures. Geoff also represents taxpayers in sensitive “egg shell” tax audits that include exposure to possible criminal charges and/or civil fraud penalties. He has represented U.S. and non-U.S. resident taxpayers from around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and India. For those matters that require litigation, Geoff has prosecuted many cases to successful conclusion. Geoff is a frequent lecturer on handling tax controversies at the federal and state level and advising on state tax updates. He is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, New York, and Florida, and has specific admittance to the United States Tax Court and the Southern District Court of New York.