Jeffrey Schechter, chair of the firm’s Tax Controversy Department, has a varied practice in the areas of tax, tax controversies, trusts and estates and corporate law.

Experience

He represents clients at all stages of disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, the New Jersey Division of Taxation and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance including audits, administrative appeals and tax litigation. Most recently Jeff has assisted many clients with domestic and offshore Voluntary Disclosures and examinations concerning income and assets not reported to the IRS. On the corporate side, he concentrates on commercial transactions, including the purchase, sale or restructuring of businesses, stock transactions, mergers and corporate agreements as well as advising clients on the tax aspects of such transactions. He also regularly represents clients concerning estate planning, estate administration and estate tax controversies.

Jeff is a frequent lecturer at Rutgers Law School, ABA Tax Section Meetings as well as the New Jersey Society of CPAs on a variety of tax and corporate matters. Prior to joining Cole Schotz, he was a manager in the National Tax Department of the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in advising clients on the tax aspects of complex corporate transactions including tax-free reorganizations, tax-exempt organizations and federal tax procedure and controversies, as well as newly enacted or proposed tax legislation.

For twenty years, Jeff served on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, a tax-exempt organization in Paterson which specializes in various programs throughout the State of New Jersey including seven as Chairman. These programs include participation in the Americorp National Service Program, operating housing projects for developmentally disabled persons and increasing employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged youths.

Education

Jeff received his B.B.A. from The George Washington University, his J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University School of Law, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association (Tax Section), Chair of Tax Section Administrative Practice Committee (2004-2006)
• New Jersey State Bar Association (Tax Section)