Welcome to TEI Chicago!
![MP900400025[1].jpg](/chapters/chicago/PublishingImages/skyline.jpg)
The Chicago Chapter Board invites participation by interested members on our committees as members or as chairpersons. The committees plan our programs. Committees also work with the TEI National committees to provide input and assistance on responses to legislation and regulations. Committee chairs participate in our periodic Chapter Board meetings. This is a great way to become more involved at the Chapter and National levels of TEI. Interested members should contact Chapter President Rita Makaris at 312-360-4475 or Rita.Makaris@SOM.com
If you are unemployed and would like assistance in your search for a permanent position, know of a senior tax position opening, or have something to contribute regarding employment assistance to fellow members, please contact one of the committee members. You may contact Don Adler at dadler@cfindustries.com (847.307.2662).
FEBRUARY EVENT UPDATE!
Planning for Litigation During Tax Audits
Thursday, February 16, 2012; 8:30 am
Offices of Mayer Brown LLP
71 South Wacker Drive
In a world of increasingly aggressive tax auditors, tax professionals must plan to position tax disputes for possible litigation. TEI Chicago Chapter is pleased to announce the speakers and agenda for the upcoming February 16th seminar on Planning for Litigation During Tax Audits. Mayer Brown LLP will be hosting this informative and practical session that will offer valuable insights on a variety of issues including (1) best practices with respect to document preservation, (2) the protection of privileges and (3) current audit trends in information requests. Please send or e-mail your completed registration form to Irene Brajner at imbrajner@aol.com. Indicate your name, email address, member status, amount and form of payment. Season ticket holders may use their season pass. The cost for attending the meeting is $25 for TEI members and $50 for non-TEI members. CPE and CLE credit will be offered.
AGENDA
Planning for Litigation During Tax Audits
Thursday, February 16, 2012
8:30 AM Continental Breakfast
8:50 -9:00 AM Welcome and Introduction (Joel Williamson)
9:00 -9:50 AM Topic 1 – Document Preservation (Thomas Kittle-Kamp, David Abbott and Andy Steigleder)
· Audit Trend: IRS requests for “any and all documents, including emails”
· Audit Trend: Third-Party summons at the initial audit stage
· Audit Trend: IRS requests for information held by foreign affiliates
· The obligation to preserve records for IRS audits and potential litigation
· Best practices for records preservation (records retention policies, hold orders)
· Specific issues related to audit trends, including preservation of electronic documents, third-party documents, and foreign-affiliate documents
· Possible sanctions for failure to preserve documents
9:50 -10:00 AM Refreshment Break
10:00 -10:50 AM Topic 2 – Privilege, Work Product and 7525 (Chuck Hurley, John Hildy and Scott Stewart)
· Audit Trend: Requests for detailed privilege logs and requests for privileged documents
· Audit Trend: Requests for copies of hold orders
· Audit Trend: Requests for information held by auditors
· Background on attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, and IRC § 7525
· Waiver of protection and limitations of FRE 502
· Specific issues related to audit trends, including preserving privilege in responding to IRS requests
10:50 -11:00 AM Refreshment Break
11:00 AM -12:00 PM Topic 3 – Other Audit Trends (Nicole Reuling, Paul DiSangro and Brian Kittle)
· Audit Trend: Requesting information in personnel files, including performance evaluations
· Audit Trend: Penalty IDRs and related privilege issues
· Audit Trend: Increased focus on transfer pricing methodologies
· Audit Trend: Increased reliance on economic substance and business purpose doctrines in challenging tax treatment
· Audit Trend: Increased scrutiny by state and local taxing authorities
· Best practices for responding to audit trends
· Strategies for engaging and utilizing experts in the audit process
12:00 -1:00 PM Luncheon: Current Audit Trends (Larry Langdon)
Chicago Chapter Awards Two More Scholarships
 TEI Chicago Chapter is pleased to announce the recent awarding of two $2,5000 scholarships to Northern Illinois University MST students Brittany Brill and Jonathan Sniegowski, pictured above with Chapter Board Member Tom Sturomski. Both Ms. Brill, who hails from Bartlett, IL, and Mr. Sniegowski, a native of Sandwich, IL, entered NIU’s MST program this fall with strong academic records, particularly in their accounting coursework. Mr. Sniegowski, a CPA, holds a masters in accounting.
The NIU students’ awards represent two of the five scholarships authorized by Chapter leadership in 2011. DePaul University students Chris Ehas and Darren L. Mims were presented with their awards at the Chapter’s annual meeting in June. The fifth winner is Christian Haverney, a tax accountant with Rodl Langford de Kock and a student in the University of Illinois (Chicago Campus) MST program. Mr. Haverney, a native of Germany and a CPA, holds an MS in Finance from Georgia State University and an MBA from Georgia College & State University.
This year’s awards were named in honor of Allen Hagen, a Chicago Chapter member and 45-year employee of Caterpillar Inc. who died suddenly in November 2010.
|