The annual Tax Controversy Conference hosted by UCLA Extension has a rich tradition of gathering top tax attorneys, accountants and government officials to discuss issues that they all face navigating the complex world of taxes.
“This conference presents a great opportunity to have everyone sit down and talk,” said Mark Ramseyer, portfolio director for the UCLA Extension Business and Finance program. “It is an informal setting where practitioners can talk through some of the issues that they encounter in their work.”
That camaraderie was evident immediately at the networking breakfast, and continued with the congeniality shown by attendees, speakers and panelists alike. The 41st iteration of the one-day event took place on Oct 23 at The Beverly Hills Hotel. It started out on a slightly somber note, as 2025 Conference Co-Chair Steven Toscher took a moment to acknowledge the IRS employees being furloughed during the current federal government shutdown and could not attend the conference.
Experts covered topics including franchise tax board controversies; best practices in refund litigation; IRS collection procedures; Valuation in Tax Enforcement and more. Throughout the day speakers noted that the tax field is always dealing with change and tumult, especially since 2020. Keynote speaker Patrick Urda, chief judge of the United States Tax Court, reflected in much the same way.
“I’ve thought about how much the Tax Court has actually changed in the last seven years since I’ve been on the bench – new laws, different issues, old issues revisited, pandemics, government shutdowns, changes in rules, computers and we even got around to opinion formatting,” he said.
“It feels like the pace of change inside and outside the court is ever quickening. At the same time, I was struck by how the essence of the court stays the same.”
He said he continues to treasure the fact that people have the hard discussions, whether at his court or in the hotel conference room.
Bruce I. Hochman recipient Richard Speier, Jr. reminisced over his lengthy career as a former deputy chief of IRS Criminal Investigation – and found amusement in the fact he now consults with private attorneys and corporate clients. Attending the conference all these years has helped him appreciate both sides of the tax world while providing vital networking opportunities.
“I started here dealing with a room full of strangers, and now it’s a room full of friends and colleagues,” he said as he thanked the room for the honor. “And that wouldn’t have happened without UCLA.”
The award – presented by Conference Co-Chair Sandra Brown – is given each year to an individual who demonstrates outstanding proficiency in the field of tax law and exemplifies the principles that personified Hochman, who was a distinguished leader among tax controversy attorneys and was a generous philanthropist.
And philanthropy was at the heart of Sid Machtinger’s presentation. A World War II veteran and former tax lawyer who just turned 103-and-a-half years old, Machtinger was thankful for a community the conference has built over so many years. He stumped for the Vets Count Scholarship, which launched in 2016 for active and retired military who want to pursue a career in tax, accounting, wealth management, and other aspects of financial services. Funds raised will also be available to cover basic coursework for personal growth in budgeting, financial literacy and investing.
“I’m glad to be able to give this message to you and look forward to the next half of a year,” he said with a smile and a laugh, as the crowd clapped in appreciation.
