Tax Representatives and Practitioners Program
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE BILL DE BLASIO, MAYOR JACQUES JIHA, COMMISSIONER TAX REPRESENTATIVES AND PRACTITIONERS PROGRAM OCTOBER 19, 2015 Fair, Efficient, Transparent, Exceptional Customer Service 2 Taxpayer Representatives and Practitioners Program (TAXRAPP) New York Athletic Club 180 Central Park South New York, NY 10019 Monday, October 19, 2015 Event Program 7:30 - 8:30 REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 8:30 - 9:00 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Jacques Jiha, Ph.D., Commissioner New York City Department of Finance Jerry Boone, Commissioner New York State Department of Taxation and Finance 9:00 - 9:50 TRANSPARENCY IN THE AUDIT PROCESS The Department of Finance has undergone a significant shift toward a more transparent business model that makes tax-related information and data, Agency budgeting and spending publicly available to New York City residents. For tax practitioners, that means making sure that our rules, policies, and statements of audit procedure and other written policies are clear and easy to understand. Our goal is to become more transparent in all of our business practices. This panel outlines the major steps we’ve implemented, and provides an overview of our ongoing initiatives. Moderator: Richard Genetelli, President The Genetelli Consulting Group Panelists: Harry Leonard, Esq., Deputy Commissioner, Tax Audit & Enforcement New York City Department of Finance Diana Beinart, Esq., Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel New York City Department of Finance 3 Cesar Bencosme, Assistant Commissioner, Tax Audit New York City Department of Finance 9:55 - 10:50 NEW YORK CITY CORPORATE TAX REFORM: AN ESSENTIAL PRIMER FOR TAX PRACTITIONERS New York City’s Corporate Income Tax has been significantly reformed and is in effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015. The City’s new Corporate Tax structure streamlines and modernizes the taxation of C-Corporations doing business in the City, and conforms to changes enacted to New York State’s Franchise Tax in 2014. Leading experts will outline the benefits and changes for the business community and how the new tax rates for small businesses and manufacturers can help your clients grow their businesses. Moderator: Michael Hyman, First Deputy Commissioner New York City Department of Finance Panelists: Zal Kumar, Esq., Director, Office of Taxpayer Services New York City Department of Finance Deborah Liebman, Esq., Deputy Counsel New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Andrew Eisner, Esq., Director of Tax Law, Office of Legal Affairs New York City Department of Finance Peter Faber, Esq. McDermott Will & Emery, LLP Michael Goldsmith, Esq. Ernst & Young, LLP Lance Rothenberg, Esq. Hodgson Russ, LLP Kenneth Zemsky, Esq. Anderson Tax 10:50 - 11:05 BREAK 4 11:05 - 12:00 HOW, WHEN AND WHERE TO CHALLENGE A NEW YORK CITY BUSINESS OR EXCISE TAX ASSESSMENT This panel will take a comprehensive look at the procedural rules and practices governing the various forums for challenging New York City business and excise tax assessments. Know what to expect at the Audit Exit Conference. Hear directly from the Director of the Conciliations Bureau and the President of the New York City Tax Appeals Tribunal as they, along with leading practitioners, provide tips on how to effectively represent your clients. Moderator: Maria T. Jones, Esq. Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, LLP Panelists: Michael Newmark, Esq. Director of Tax Advocacy and Resolution New York City Department of Finance Duncan Riley, Director, Conciliations Bureau New York City Department of Finance Ellen Hoffman, Esq., President New York City Tax Appeals Tribunal and New York City Tax Commission Leah Robinson, Esq. Sutherland Asbill & Brennan 12:15 – 1:30 LUNCH AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS Nina E. Olson, Internal Revenue Service National Taxpayer Advocate “The Role of the Taxpayer Advocate in Bringing Transparency and Accountability to Revenue Departments” 1:40 - 3:00 THE NEW FACE OF FINANCE: A CUSTOMER-CENTRIC BUSINESS MODEL The Department of Finance has a brand new business model focused on providing exceptional service and improved experiences for our customers. This panel will explore the new initiatives already in place that are enhancing our professional services. They include helping customers navigate the City’s tax policies and procedures. Hear from the 5 first-ever New York City Taxpayer Advocate, responsible for assisting taxpayers in navigating tax procedures and identifying systemic issues; and the Director of the newly established Department of Taxpayer Services, who will serve as an intermediary between the Department of Finance and tax professionals, ensuring that the business and excise tax policies of the Agency are clearly communicated. We will also discuss how we are leveraging technology to enhance our services and business relationship with you. Have questions on recent improvements in payment processing and E-Services? We’ve got answers. Moderator: Jeffrey Shear, Deputy Commissioner for Treasury and Payment Services New York City Department of Finance Panelists: Samara Karasyk, Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs New York City Department of Finance Diana Leyden, Esq., New York City Taxpayer Advocate New York City Department of Finance, Office of the Taxpayer Advocate Zal Kumar, Esq., Director, Office of Taxpayer Services New York City Department of Finance Leslie Zimmerman, Assistant Commissioner for Payment Services New York City Department of Finance 3:00 - 3:15 BREAK 3:15 - 3:45 COMING INTO COMPLIANCE: REPRESENTING TAXPAYERS IN VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE PROGRAMS Representing non-filers and others who wish to come into compliance raises a number of practical and ethical considerations for practitioners. This panel will address factors to consider when counseling clients to come forward. Moderator: Kate Trachtenberg, Esq., Deputy Director New York City Department of Finance, Office of Legal Affairs Panelists: Sam Blaize, Director, Voluntary Disclosure Compliance Program New York City Department of Finance David Schmutter, Esq. Ernst & Young 6 Barry Horowitz Withum Smith & Brown, P.C. 3:45 - 4:45 CASE STUDIES: THE APPLICATION AND IMPACT OF RECENT COURT DECISIONS Leading New York City and State tax experts will present recent court decisions affecting state and local tax law and discuss how these important decisions are being interpreted and applied. Moderator: Glenn Newman, Esq., Greenberg Taurig, LLP - Past President, New York City Tax Appeals Tribunal and New York City Tax Commission Panelists: John Mulligan, Senior Tax Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs New York City Department of Finance Tim Noonan, Esq. Hodgson Russ, LLP. Amy Nogid, Esq. Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP 4:45 - 5:00 CLOSING REMARKS Commissioner Jacques Jiha, Ph.D. Commissioner, New York City Department of Finance Kathryn Wylde, CEO and President The Partnership for New York City 5:00 - 6:30 WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION 7 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Jacques Jiha, Ph.D., Commissioner of Finance for New York City Jacques Jiha is the New York City Commissioner of Finance, in charge of administering the City’s tax and revenue laws, collecting $33 billion in revenue and valuing more than one million properties worth about $1 trillion. He oversees the City’s treasury, advises the Mayor on the City’s $160 billion pension system and $15 billion deferred compensation plan, and serves as trustee of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, the Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York, the New York City Police Pension Fund and the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund. He also oversees the Sheriff Department that acts as the City's chief civil law enforcement officer, and serves on a number of government boards, including the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission, the New York City Housing Development Corporation and the Banking Commission. Before being named Commissioner, Mr. Jiha was the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer of Earl G. Graves, Ltd., a multi-media company with properties in print, digital media, television, events and the Internet. Previously, he served as Deputy Comptroller for Pension Investment and Public Finance in the Office of the New York State Comptroller. As the state’s chief investment officer, he managed the assets of the New York State Common Retirement Fund – then the nation’s second-largest pension fund valued at $120 billion. He also oversaw the New York State’s College Savings Program and short-term investment pool. He had decision-making responsibilities in all aspects of investment strategy, including asset allocation, as well as investment program in domestic and international equity, fixed income, real estate and private equity. His role also included oversight responsibility of investment operations, including management of a professional investment staff, external investment managers, private-equity and real estate general partners and investment consultants. In the public finance arena, Mr. Jiha was in charge of all activities related to the issuance of New York State general obligation bonds, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes and certificates of participation. In addition, he reviewed and approved the terms and conditions of all private or negotiated sales of bonds undertaken by public authorities and localities throughout the state of New York. Mr. Jiha was also the Co-Executive Director of the New York State Local Government Assistance Corporation (LGAC). In that capacity, he managed all aspects of