INSIGHTS & IDEAS

Vince Pangia admitted to US Tax Court

Vince Pangia has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court after passing a rigorous exam, an accomplishment only 10 percent of test takers achieve. Since 1990 only 66 individuals have passed this exam. As a result of this distinction, Vince is one of only a handful of accountants across the country permitted to litigate on behalf of his clients in U.S. Tax Court.  A Certified Fraud Examiner and business valuation expert, Vince is now a member of the U.S. Tax Court Bar, a distinction equivalent to an attorney with a Master's degree in tax law. Although attorneys may make an application for admission to Tax Court without taking an exam, most do not handle sophisticated tax issues without first receiving extensive training in the field of tax law.   

In disputes with the IRS, there is an audit and appeals process. If a taxpayer appeals and loses, they normally have to retain a tax attorney to litigate in Tax Court, that could be very costly, putting the taxpayer in the position to capitulate, because financially it's not worth the fight. Because he is admitted to represent individuals and businesses in tax court, the duplicity of retaining both a tax attorney and an accountant can be avoided. This gives his clients more leverage with the IRS in the administrative appeals process.