8/10/22 Tax Abatement Considerations in Cryptocurrencies Luncheon
Tax Abatement Considerations in Cryptocurrencies - Luncheon
A panel of cryptocurrency counselors will be providing insight into the taxation, categorization, and custody of cryptocurrencies. They will delve into the differentiation of a commodity and a security and how this is impactful in the classification of digital assets.
Lunch will be served.
Panelists include: Chris Davis and Joshua D. Smelzter of Gray Reed and moderated by Peter Vogel of Foley Lardner.
A CLE credit will be awarded at the end of the event.
Chris Davis
Leader of the Government Investigations and Compliance Practice Group, Chris Davis guides businesses and individuals through high-stakes investigations, criminal proceedings and civil enforcement actions brought by various federal and state agencies, including those involving allegations of securities fraud, insider trading, healthcare fraud, FCPA violations, False Claims Act violations and pay-to-play schemes. He also helps his clients resolve a variety of complex commercial disputes, both before and after litigation has been filed. Chris represents clients across the country and internationally spanning several industries, including healthcare, energy, financial services, fintech, real estate, technology and retail.
As a former government trial lawyer, Chris brings unique experience and an insider perspective to the firm’s whitecollar defense practice. He previously served as a Senior Trial Counsel in the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office, which covers Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. In that role, he was responsible for leading litigation efforts throughout the country against individuals and entities charged with violating the federal securities laws. Chris investigated and prosecuted many cases involving a variety of high-profile and first-impression matters, ranging from cryptocurrency-based securities and Ponzi schemes to accounting fraud and insider trading.
A licensed CPA since 2000, Chris spent seven years in the private sector before entering law school, primarily in management consulting for a Big Four accounting and consulting firm. Chris leverages his experience as a government regulator, CPA and management consultant to advise clients on best practices for minimizing regulatory and business risks. In addition to helping clients develop proactive compliance policies and procedures, Chris conducts internal investigations to defuse compliance issues quickly before they give rise to an investigation or litigation.
Before joining the SEC in 2010, Chris worked in the trial department of a large international law firm. He has deep experience as lead counsel in civil and commercial litigation matters involving a broad range of issues, including claims arising from his white-collar practice, intellectual property, contract disputes, professional malpractice, plus many more. Chris is a regular presenter on cutting-edge topics such as cybersecurity and digital currencies, as well as government enforcement and compliance issues.
Joshua Smeltzer
Joshua Smeltzer is a tax lawyer focused on defending individuals and all types of businesses in a variety of challenging tax controversies before the IRS, federal district courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Tax Court and federal bankruptcy courts. As a former litigator for the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division, Joshua has first-hand knowledge of how government lawyers evaluate, build and litigate complex tax cases. He uses this strong background to provide strategic guidance to avoid or prepare for a dispute, guide clients through the IRS examination process and support tax positions at IRS appeals or in federal court so the case has its best chance at a positive outcome.
Clients rely on Joshua to handle individual, corporate and partnership tax disputes involving variety of tax issues including tax credits and deductions, reporting and disclosure of foreign bank accounts, individual and corporate tax audits and collection actions, cryptocurrency tax issues, and summons enforcement. He is often consulted on tax issues arising from significant financial events, such as large litigation settlements or judgments or sales of business assets or stock.
Joshua has deep tax litigation experience in federal court, both as a private and government lawyer. He has participated as lead or co-counsel in 12 federal court trials and resolved numerous cases involving complex discovery, evidentiary and procedural issues. While the majority of his practice is focused on tax controversies, Joshua has the versatility and experience to advise clients on other governmental investigations.
During his 14-year tenure with the Department of Justice, Joshua litigated tax cases across the country covering a number of industry sectors and difficult issues. His diverse caseload ranged from smaller cases involving six-figure dollar amounts to high-stakes disputes where the amount in controversy totaled hundreds of millions of dollars and, in one case, over a billion dollars. Based on his impressive track record, Joshua received the Department of Justice Outstanding Trial Attorney award seven times.
A respected thought leader in the tax field, Joshua is a regular author and presenter on various tax topics and has been called on to provide expert testimony on tax issues in court proceedings.
