IRS/Practitioners Forum – Portland

Brian Wozniak, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service

Brian Wozniak is a Senior Tax Specialist with the Internal Revenue Service’s Stakeholder Liaison Division in Portland and works with tax professionals to identify ways the agency can be more responsive to customers’ needs. Brian works data breach and identity theft issues; IRS electronic services; and coordinates IRS outreach and education to the tax practitioner community and small business owners. Brian started working for the Internal Revenue Service approximately 30 years ago as a Tax Examiner in the Philadelphia Service Center. In 1994, Brian accepted a position in the Portland District Office where he has worked as a Lead Customer Service Representative and Functional Training Coordinator. Recognizing the taxpayer’s need for education to positively impact voluntary compliance, Brian joined the Taxpayer Education and Communication Function in 2001. Brian has earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Edinboro University.

(9/27/19)

Sharyn Fisk, Director of OPR, Internal revenue Service Office of Professional Responsibility

Sharyn was named Director of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in January 2020. As Director, she is responsible for the IRS’ oversight of tax professionals who practice before the IRS as set out in Treasury Circular 230. Sharyn’s extensive background in the tax community brings over 20 years of tax experience to the OPR. Before coming to the IRS, Sharyn was Professor of Tax at Cal Poly Pomona and Director of its VITA program. Prior to teaching, Sharyn was in private practice specializing in tax controversies where she represented individuals and businesses taxpayers before the IRS, the Department of Justice Tax Division, federal and state courts, and state taxing authorities. Sharyn clerked for the Honorable Maurice Foley, Judge, U.S. Tax Court. She has written and spoke extensively before national, state, and local tax professional organizations on all aspects of civil and criminal tax controversy issues and ethics in tax practice.

(10/7/21)

Steven Bell, Stoel Rives LLP

Steven Bell focuses his practice on the creation and administration of complex trusts to meet business succession planning, tax planning, and family needs, and in charitable gift planning for both individual donors and for tax-exempt entities. Through his practice, Steve helps clients create customized structures to preserve and perpetuate closely held businesses and to meet diverse objectives. Steve brings innovative solutions to multifaceted issues that can arise in the administration of irrevocable trusts, estate, charitable giving structures, and for private foundations. Steve’s passion lies in developing creative solutions to help clients meet their goals in a tax efficient manner, whether in crafting a new estate plan, facilitating charitable giving, administering complex estates, modifying and restructuring irrevocable trusts, or developing trust structures to meet business objectives.