TAXLITIGATOR – Tax Controversy (Civil & Criminal) Report

We are pleased to announce that Michel R. Stein, Robert S. Horwitz and Melissa Briggs will be speaking at the upcoming CPAacademy webinar on Tax Relief Under Section 7508A(D) Penalties, Interest & Claims on Thursday, June 18, 2026, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (PST).

This program examines the potential impact of Internal Revenue Code §7508A(d), a disaster relief provision that may have suspended certain federal tax deadlines during the COVID-19 national emergency period. The presentation will review the statutory framework of §7508A, analyze the decisions in Abdo v. Commissioner and Kwong v. United States, and discuss whether taxpayers may have viable claims for the refund or abatement of penalties and interest. Participants will learn the practical steps for preserving and pursuing these claims, including the use of protective refund claims, and will explore California’s conformity to the federal rules. Special attention will be given to the significance of the July 10, 2026 deadline and the opportunities and risks facing taxpayers and practitioners. 

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Michel R. Stein, a principal of Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C., is a nationally recognized tax attorney with nearly 30 years of experience in tax controversy and planning for individuals and business entities. He is widely respected for his ability to resolve complex and sensitive tax controversies before the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board, including matters involving significant civil and criminal exposure, and is a trusted resource to clients and advisors navigating the most challenging areas of federal and state tax law. His commentary and insights have been featured in leading tax publications, webinars, and media outlets addressing emerging issues in tax enforcement and policy.

Mr. Stein has represented hundreds of clients in civil tax examinations, administrative appeals, and litigation before the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Courts, California Superior Court, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals. He routinely advises and defends clients in matters involving California Residency, Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency Investigations, High-Net-Worth Taxpayer Compliance and Examination, Domestic and International Tax Compliance, Voluntary Disclosures and Streamlined Filings, Challenges to Listed and Reportable Transactions, Partnership Tax and Audit Rules, Employment Tax and Worker Classification Issues, as well as tax controversies arising from Complex Real Estate and Business Transactions.  He began his legal career as an Attorney Advisor to Special Trial Judge Larry Nameroff of the U.S. Tax Court and is a Certified Specialist in Taxation Law by the State Bar of California.

For more information, please contact Michel R. Stein at stein@taxlitigator.com

Robert Horwitz a Principal of Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C. has over 40 years of experience as a tax attorney specializing in the representation of clients in civil and criminal tax cases, including civil audits and appeals, tax collection matters, criminal investigations, administrative hearings and in civil and criminal trials and appeals in federal and state courts. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Taxation Section of the State Bar of California and was Chair of the Taxation Section for 2015-2016 year. He was previously Chair of the Tax Procedure and Litigation Committee of the State Bar Taxation Section. He is the 2022 recipient of the California Lawyers Association Joanne M. Garvey Award for lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the field of tax law.

For more information, please contact Robert Horwitz at horwitz@taxlitigator.com

Melissa Briggs is a principal of Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C. where she represents clients in civil and criminal tax controversies. Ms. Briggs has over twenty-three years of litigation experience in private, nonprofit, and government practice. Ms. Briggs spent over nine years as an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, Appellate Section. She served almost seven years as an Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California’s Tax Division. She began her legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. Phyllis A. Kravitch on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. 

Ms. Briggs is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel; American Bar Association, Tax Section Loretta Collins Argrett Fellowship Mentor; vice-chair of the California Lawyer’s Association Tax Section, Tax Practice and Procedure Committee, and active member of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles.  

For more information, please contact Melissa Briggs at briggs@taxlitigator.com.