Tax Controversy Conference
Tax Controversy Conference
41st Annual Conference
For the past 40 years, UCLA Extension's Annual Tax Controversy Conference has been the preeminent conference exclusively dedicated to tax controversy and tax litigation. The conference provides an open forum for distinguished presenters and panelists to discuss, and often debate, sensitive tax practice issues with an engaged audience.
This conference is ideal for tax attorneys, accountants, CPAs, enrolled agents, financial advisors, and other tax professionals. Accounting, tax, and law students are also encouraged to attend.
What you can expect:
- Attend high-quality keynote presentations and panel discussions to learn the latest trends and practices surrounding tax controversy issues
- Speakers include top IRS representatives and private practitioners
- Convenient, day-long format held at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel that includes continental breakfast, Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award Luncheon, and evening reception
- Networking opportunities with leading tax professionals
Date
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time
8:30am-6:00pm (evening reception to follow)
Location
The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Attendees
This conference is ideal for tax attorneys, accountants, CPA's, enrolled agents, financial advisors, and other tax professionals. Accounting, tax, and law students are also encouraged to attend.
Reminder: No on-site registrations will be permitted. No guests allowed. All attendees must must register and pay prior to attending the conference.
Price:
General: $695
Government Rate: $200
Students and Instructors: $200
________
Special Discounts
Members of CalCPA, NAEA, and FPA receive 10% off the registration fee. Please email us at taxconference@uclaextension.edu to confirm eligibility and receive your discount code.
Continuing Education Credits
CE credits for MCLE (5.75), CPE (7.0) and EA (7.0) will be provided.
Registration Deadline
October 19, 2025
Thank you for Helping us Celebrate 40 Years!
2025 Keynote Speakers
Morning Keynote Speaker
Chief Judge Patrick Urda, US Tax Court
Chief Judge Urda was born in South Bend, Indiana, where he grew up with four siblings. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Harvard Law School. After a stint in private practice in Chicago, Chief Judge Urda clerked for Judge Daniel A. Manion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and then moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Tax Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). During his 12 years at DOJ, he litigated tax appeals in each of the federal circuit courts, presenting 50 appellate arguments. In addition to his work as a line attorney, he served as Counsel to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Appellate and Review, as well as details to the Office of Legal Policy and to the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training. Chief Judge Urda has previously served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law. He joined the United States Tax Court on September 27, 2018, and was elected as Chief Judge for a term starting on June 1, 2025.
Afternoon Keynote Speaker
Guy Ficco, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation
Guy Ficco is the Chief of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), overseeing a global team of 3,200 employees, including about 2,100 special agents across 19 U.S. field offices and 14 international locations. His team investigates crimes involving tax fraud, money laundering, public corruption, cybercrime, identity theft, narcotics, and terrorist financing.
Before becoming Chief, Guy served as Deputy Chief and held several leadership roles, including Executive Director of Global Operations, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Office, and Director of Special Investigative Techniques. He was also a Congressional Fellow with the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Guy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Dominican University in New York, is a Certified Fraud Examiner, and joined IRS-CI in 1995.
7:30 A.M.
Registration Opens and Continental Breakfast
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8:30-8:40 A.M.
Opening Remarks
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8:40-9:05 A.M.
Morning Keynote
Speaker: Chief Judge Patrick Urda, US Tax Court
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9:05-10:05 A.M.
Franchise Tax Board Controversies and the California Office of Tax Appeals
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10:05-10:15 A.M.
Coffee Break
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10:15-11:15 A.M.
Best Practices in Refund Litigation
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11:15 A.M.-12:10 P.M.
IRS Collection Procedures— Opportunities and Pitfalls
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12:25–1:35 P.M.
Lunch Session
- Opening Remarks
- Presentation of Bruce I. Hochman Award & Chillin' and Grillin' Award
- Update on Vets Count Scholarship Fund
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1:35-2:10 P.M.
Networking Break
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2:10–3:10 P.M.
Valuation in Tax Enforcement-Critical to Our Voluntary Compliance System
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3:10-4:10 P.M.
Navigating IRS Resource Challenges – From the Taxpayer Advocate Service to Self-Help Options for Taxpayers and Tax Professionals
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4:10-4:40 P.M.
Afternoon Keynote
Speaker: Guy Ficco, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation
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4:45-5:45 P.M.
The Future Direction of Criminal Tax Enforcement
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5:50 P.M.
Closing Remarks and Cocktail Party
Speakers and schedule subject to change
Become a Sponsor
To become a sponsor visit our Sponsorship Page or for more information contact us at taxconference@uclaextension.edu.
Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award
The distinguished personal and professional achievements of Bruce Hochman have been permanently honored through the Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award.
Bruce Hochman, a leading attorney for over 40 years specializing in civil and criminal tax law litigation, was also a generous philanthropist and dynamic leader of various civic organizations.
The Award was established to be presented each year at the Tax Controversy Institute to an individual who demonstrates outstanding proficiency in the field of tax law and best exemplifies the principles that personified Mr. Hochman. Selected each year by the Planning Committee for the UCLA Extension’s Annual Tax Controversy Institute, the Award is presented during the Annual Bruce I. Hochman Award Luncheon.
2024
Erin M. Collins, National Taxpayer Advocate, IRS
2023
Sherri S. Wilder, Retired Area Counsel, SBSE, IRS Chief Counsel
2022
Paula M. Junghans, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
2021
The Honorable Juan F. Vasquez, United States Tax Court
2020
Larry Campagna, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry, P.C., Houston, TX
2019
Bryan C. Skarlatos, Kostelanetz & Fink, LLP, New York, NY
2018
Avram Salkin, Hochman, Salkin, Toscher & Perez, PC, Beverly Hills, CA
2017
Miles D. Friedman, (former) Associate Area Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, Laguna Niguel
2016
Frank Agostino, Agostino & Associates, Hackensack, NJ
2015
Karen L. Hawkins, Former Director, IRS Office of Professional Responsibility, Washington, D.C.
2014
Steve Sims, Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate, Franchise Tax Board, Rancho Cordova, CA
2013
Elliott Kajan (deceased), Kajan Mather & Barish
2012
Ted Meyer, Examination Territory Manager Los Angeles, Area 7, Small Business/ Self- Employed Division Internal Revenue Service
2011
Jerry Feffer, formerly of Williams & Connolly, LLP, Washington, DC
2010
William Taggart, Law Offices of William E. Taggart Jr., Professional Corporation, Oakland, CA
2009
Martin A. Schainbaum, Law offices of Martin A. Schainbaum, San Francisco, CA
2008
Sidney Machtinger, Greenberg Glusker, Los Angeles, CA
2007
Mary Ann Cohen, Judge, United States Tax Court, Washington D.C.
2006
Cono Namorato, Caplin & Drysdale Chartered, Washington D.C., formerly Deputy Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
2005
Stephen J. Swift, Judge, United States Tax Court, Washington, D.C.
2004
Irene Scott Carroll, Special Litigation Assistant, IRS Counsel, Small Business/ Self Employed Division, Area8, Los Angeles, CA
2003
B. John Williams, Jr., Skadden, Washington, D.C.- former Judge, United States Tax Court and Former Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service
2002
Gene Silverman (deceased), formerly with DeCastro, West, Chodorow, Mendler, Glickfeld & Nass, founder of the UCLA Extension Annual Tax Controversy Institute in 1984.
Vets Count Scholarship Fund
The VETS COUNT Scholarship fund was launched at the 2017 Tax Controversy Institute, and will hopefully inspire a wide audience of patriots and professionals to assist in giving back to those who have given so much.
VETS COUNT is intended to provide financial assistance for active and former military personnel who desire to pursue a career in tax, accounting, wealth management, and other aspects of financial services. Funds raised also cover basic coursework for personal growth in budgeting, financial literacy, and investing.
Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors
PLATINUM
Hochman Salkin Toscher & Perez P.C.
GOLD
CBIZ
SILVER
Dallo Law Group, APC
Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP
Kostelanetz LLP
Taylor Nelson Amitrano LLP
BRONZE
Prager Metis CPAs LLP
Fineman West and Company LLP
RJS LAW
Law Offices of Zaher Fallahi
The Law Offices of Joseph A. Broyles
Brager Tax Law Group
Howard, Kittle and Company CPAs, LLP
Nardiello Turanchik Tompkins LLP
Holtz, Slavett, Drabkin & Warner, APLC
Accounting and Taxation at UCLA Extension
UCLA Extension’s highly-regarded accounting, taxation, internal audit, and enrolled agent programs are designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to stay ahead in today’s competitive job market. Enhance your career with continuing education courses, professional certificates, exam review programs, seminars, and more.