Tax Law Symposium 2018

On April 19, 2018, the Tax Law Society and St. Thomas University School of Law hosted their inaugural Tax Law Symposium in the Moot Court Room highlighting the changes made to the Internal Revenue Code by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress at the end of 2017. Nearly 150 people were in attendance at this event, including attorneys, CPAs, alumni, and St. Thomas University law students. Attorneys attending this free event earned 4.5 general CLE credits or 4.5 Tax Certification credits and 1 ethics credit as approved by the Florida Bar.

The Symposium consisted of three panels with the first covering changes made to international tax law. This panel included Jennifer J. Wioncek, Esq. of Bilzin Sumberg and Stewart L. Kasner, Esq. of Holland & Knight LLP. The second panel covered by Michael DeSiato, CPA from Cherry Bekaert LLP and Professor Mark J. Wolff, Esq., director of the Tax Law program at St. Thomas University School of Law, included an operational overview of the new IRC § 199A and reviewed the individual and corporate changes. The third and final panel consisted of Adjunct Professors Joseph M. Landolfi, Jr., Esq. of Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman, & Hermann, PA and Robert J. Robes, Esq. from Wells Fargo Wealth Management, outlining some changes affecting Subtitle B with suggestions for estate planning advisors.

St. Thomas University School of Law has incredible tax alumni who have supported the Law School tax program and embody its ethos of professionalism, tax expertise and service. Four of the distinguished panelists are St. Thomas School of Law alumni who received LL.M. (in Taxation) degrees from the top academic graduate tax programs in the United States. We thank them for their contributions to the Tax Law Society’s inaugural Tax Symposium.

2018 Tax Law Symposium Program Information

The Symposium consisted of three panels:

Panel 1: International Tax Law Updates in Light of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Panel 1: International Tax Law Updates in Light of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

This panel discussed the Increase in Unified Credit and the changes with respect to beneficiaries of Electing Small Business Trusts as well as discuss Code Section 965 Deemed Repatriation/Transition Tax and Code Section 951A Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income.

The Panelists were:

Stewart L. Kassner, Esq.
Partner, Holland & Knight

Mr. Kasner advises foreign and domestic clients on U.S. federal income, and gift and estate tax matters associated with their cross-border investments, including U.S. real estate investments and business activities, as well as U.S. pre-immigration tax planning. His practice also includes forming and overseeing complex international corporate and trust structures and implementing international reorganizations. Mr. Kasner is Board Certified in Tax Law by The Florida Bar and is recognized as a leading attorney in his practice by Legal 500, Best Lawyers in America and Chambers High Net Worth Guide.

Jennifer J. Wioncek, Esq.
Partner, Bilzin Sumberg

Ms. Wioncek is a Partner in Bilzin Sumberg’s Tax & Private Wealth Services Group. Ms. Wioncek’s practice focuses on domestic and international trust and estate planning. She advises high-net-worth individuals and family offices on both domestic and international trust and estate planning matters, multijurisdictional estate administration matters, and acquisition, maintenance, and sale of U.S. real estate by foreigners.

Review the pannelists presentations materials here.

Panel 2: Individual and Corporate Changes Including New Code Section 199A

Panel 2: Individual and Corporate Changes Including New Code Section 199A

Tax professionals must be aware of the new Code Section 199A. This presentation discussed key terms as well as the changes to the standard deduction and personal exemptions for individuals, mortgage interest deduction changes, changes to charitable deduction and the child tax credit.

The Panelists were:

Michael DeSiato, CPA.
Tax Partner, Cherry Bekaert LLP

Mr. DeSiato is an active member of the Firm’s Real Estate & Construction industry group, and specializes in proactive tax planning and compliance for growing, middle market companies. Mr. DeSiato has more than 35 years of experience in public accounting, and advising clients on tax issues, including asset and estate tax planning, tax minimization techniques, and personal financial and exit planning matters.

Review Mr. DeSaito’s presentation materials here.

Mark J. Wolff Esq.
Professor of Law, St. Thomas School of Law

Professor Mark J. Wolff is an expert in taxation (domestic and international) and has experience in teaching a wide variety of tax courses at St. Thomas University School of Law including Federal Income Taxation, Federal Estate & Gift Taxation, Corporate Taxation, Estate Planning, Comparative International Taxation, Tax Policy, Agency and Partnership, Advanced Issues in Taxation, Selected Issues in Taxation, Business Associations, Contracts as well as Advanced Jurisprudence Seminars. He is currently Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County Educational Facilities Authority, responsible for the issuance of tax exempt bond financing for institutions of higher education in Miami-Dade County.

Review Professor Wolff’s presentation materials here.

Panel 3: Changes Affecting Subtitle B

Panel 3: Changes Affecting Subtitle B

This presentation gave an overview of the changes to Federal Estate, Gift and GST Tax Provisions made pursuant to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and describe what has remains unchanged. Additionally, the speakers discussed the impact of the changes to current estate plans and planning opportunities.

The Panelists were:

Joseph M. Landolfi, Jr., Esq.
Partner, Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Hermann P.A.

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Landolfi teaches Estate Planning at St. Thomas University School of Law. Mr. Landolfi also has been selected as one of Florida’s Super Lawyers, resulting from an evaluation of peer recognition and professional achievement independently conducted by Thomson Reuters. His main areas of practice include estate and wealth planning, asset protection planning, corporate and transaction matters, elder law and Medicaid planning.

Robert J. Robes
Senior Fiduciary Advisory Specialist, Wells Fargo Wealth Management

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Robes teaches Estate Planning at St. Thomas University School of Law. At Wells Fargo Private Bank, Mr. Robes advises clients with the structuring, implementation and maintenance of private wealth and personal business plans by utilizing his experience as a private wealth planning attorney, as well as providing fiduciary advice and guidance with respect to such plans.

Review the pannelists presentations materials here.

Watch the Symposium on Demand

You may view recordings of the Symposium by following the links below.

Morning Session – Part 1

Morning Session – Part 2

Afternoon Session

Special thank you to the Tax Law Society Planning Committee and Executive Board for organizing the 2017-2018 Tax Law Symposium

Planning Committee

Cynthia Rosa
Chair

Candice Izaguire
Vice Chair

Akia Espinoza
Vice Chair

Kaylee Bybee
Vice Chair

Yessenia Escobedo
Vice Chair

Brandon Chuck
Vice Chair

Tax Law Society 2017-2018 Executive Board

Ansell Fernandez
President

Cynthia Rosa
Vice President

David Hernandez
Treasurer

Victor Gabuaridi
Secretary