TEAM

Gary M.

Former IRS Auditor

Gary began his 40-year tax career in 1979 as a tax auditor working for IRS. After 4 years, he became an Internal Revenue agent for the same agency and continued his IRS career for another 30 years. During that time, he worked on many sophisticated business entity audits including consolidated corporate returns, S-corporations, partnerships, and high net worth individual taxpayers. This work included mega-million dollar and multi-billion dollar companies as he worked in LB&I (Large Business and International division of the IRS).

During the final 40 months of his IRS career, he was a Technical Advisor/Subject Matter Expert working in the Pre-Filing Technical Guidance section. His expertise as a TA/SME included: a) net operating losses, b) Alternative Minimum Tax, c) Accumulated Earnings Tax, d) Corporate Capital losses, e) claims for refund, and f) requests for tentative refunds. For 25 years, he taught UNICAP (IRC 263A) in the Los Angeles area.

As a Technical Advisor, he worked collaboratively with LB&I Counsel, National Office Management, Joint Committee Specialists, Learning and Education, IRS Field Training and Field/Office Personnel.

Since 2014, Gary has been an Enrolled Agent who primarily represents taxpayers involved in IRS audits. His technical expertise includes teaching on-line courses through professional providers a) CPE Link, b) Strafford Publications, and c) Online Compliance Panel.

After 40 years of experience, Gary is able to share his thoughts and accumulated expertise on a multitude of federal tax issues after securing the applicable facts and documentation. Gary has excellent recall of the Internal Revenue Code, IRS regulations, the Internal Revenue manual, and many court cases, revenue rulings, and revenue procedures.

He is a valued resource at Leading Tax Group

Elizabeth N.

Senior Tax Attorney Specializing in CDTFA, EDD and FTB Representation

Elizabeth N. is an accomplished Senior Tax Controversy Agent with a distinguished track record representing businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in disputes with the IRS and California tax agencies. With a wealth of experience, she brings a unique edge to her practice, leveraging her expertise gained from the prestigious NYU LL.M. Tax program, a clerkship, and years of practice before the United States Tax Court.

Elizabeth’s practice encompasses a broad spectrum of tax areas, including income taxes, employment taxes, nonprofit excise taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. Her approach is distinguished by a personal touch, treating clients like family, and providing innovative tax analysis to resolve their issues efficiently.

Her expertise extends beyond conventional tax law practice. Elizabeth collaborates with government relations experts to tap into the network of influential figures, including United States Representatives, State Senators, Chairs of Federal and State Agencies, and California Departments of Tax and Labor. This strategic approach adds substantial value to the services she offers.

Throughout her illustrious career, Elizabeth has secured numerous victories for her clients. She has a proven track record of reversing substantial tax liabilities, including a remarkable achievement in nullifying a $2.8 million IRS payroll tax. Her successes extend to areas such as payroll tax fraud, self-dealing penalties for Private Foundations, and significant savings for businesses through astute deductions.

In addition to her recent success in private practice, Elizabeth contributes significantly to the legal community. She has served as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Tax Section, focusing on the Individual and Family Income Committee. Furthermore, she imparts her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University School of Law, specializing in Divorce Taxation.

With a rich background in tax education, Elizabeth has taught at esteemed institutions like the University of California at Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara College of Law, where she covered a range of tax topics, including Tax Controversy, Audit Representation, Exempt Organizations, Private Foundations, and Business Planning.

Elizabeth is an outstanding tax lawyer whose diverse skill set, coupled with her proven track record, makes her an invaluable asset to Leading Tax Group. Her commitment to client success, combined with her extensive expertise, positions her as a top-tier practitioner in the field of tax law.

Shadi S.

Senior Payroll Tax Attorney

Shadi has been a practicing agent since 2010, helping clients with her attention to detail. She is principal on numerous tax cases at LTG, focusing on IRS, FTB and Appeals cases. Shadi also handles tax matters before the US Tax Court, and several State Appeals Boards.

Handling virtually all tax matters such as tax resolution, Penalty abatement, Audits and Audit reconsiderations, she is a true advocate for the taxpayers she represents.

Manal A.

Senior Tax Attorney

Manal A. is an accomplished Tax Agent with extensive experience in various aspects of tax law. Her unique background as a trilingual individual, proficient in Spanish, French, and English, coupled with her upbringing in different global regions, has equipped her with exceptional cross-cultural communication skills and adaptability. This diverse experience allows Manal to bring a well-rounded perspective to any work environment.

Her expertise lies in tax resolution, collections, audits, and Tax Court settlements, where she has consistently achieved significant savings for clients. Manal’s passion for tax law extends to international tax and estate planning, areas she explored during her internship in Switzerland. She is eager to contribute to a company in both Resolution, Audit, and Tax.

Manal’s dedication to tax law is underscored by her receipt of the prestigious Gregory W. Goff Award in Tax Law, recognizing her as the top performer in the tax law curriculum at Loyola. Her proficiency in tax preparation software and her willingness to further her education demonstrate her commitment to professional growth.

In recent roles, Manal excelled in guiding clients through audits, negotiating penalties, and building strong relationships with tax authorities. She also played a crucial role in streamlining operations and mentoring colleagues to enhance overall efficiency. With a track record of success at reputable firms, Manal brings a wealth of experience in negotiating with tax authorities, preparing offers in compromise, and handling various tax resolution strategies.

Manal is a licensed California Agent, equipped with strong supervisory skills, making her an invaluable asset in any tax law firm. Her dedication to achieving the best outcomes for clients, combined with her extensive expertise, positions her as an invaluable addition to Leading Tax Group.

Eric W

Former IRS Appeals Officer, providing Tax Resolution Services

Eric is an enrolled agent specializing in federal and state tax matters involving tax-
exempt organizations, excise taxes, employment taxes, and penalty abatement. With over 25

years of experience in tax law administration, Eric brings invaluable insight from his extensive
IRS career in Los Angeles, applying his depth of technical knowledge to the clients he
represents. As an IRS Appeals Officer, he successfully resolved a wide range of tax disputes
originating from the Examination and Collection Divisions. His approach to tax resolution is
driven by a desire for new challenges and achieving equitable outcomes for all parties involved.

Prior to his role in Appeals, Eric served for seven years as a revenue agent / auditor in the
Tax Exempt/Government Entities Division (TE/GE) which includes tax-exempt organizations
(non-profit), Indian Tribal Governments (ITG) and Federal, State and local governments
(FSLG). Eric considers these areas to have unique tax laws with nuance in each individual case,
where experienced tax professionals are particularly valuable. He quickly became a subject
matter resource within Appeals for a myriad of tax issues such as unrelated business income
(UBI), denial or revocation of tax exemption status, private foundation excise tax, ITG casino
gaming and per capita payments to tribal members, trust fund recovery penalty, clergy / minister
taxation and deductibility of claimed charitable contributions.

During his IRS tenure, Eric received several performance awards in recognition of his
exceptional work as both an agent and appeals officer. Many of the issues Eric resolved involved
unusual circumstances with limited IRS guidance or legal precedent. Eric found that many tax
matters could have been resolved more favorably if taxpayers had engaged more experienced tax
professionals who better understood certain tax law areas.

Today, Eric continues his passion for tax resolution with our firm and looks forward to
the opportunity to collaborate with our experienced tax attorneys and tax professionals to achieve
tax resolution for you. He is a true advocate for the clients he represents, focusing on helping
individuals and entities navigate different tax issues arising from various IRS notices and
disputes.

James A

Manager

James Alderete, Manager of Leading Tax Group, started in the industry as a paralegal in 2004 supporting a team of tax agents in Santa Monica, CA. He rose through the ranks materially working tax controversy cases as a Case Manager, and his application and skill sets moved towards Case flow, client communications, and promoting the benefits of practitioner applications to better the outcome of most tax cases. He believes that good results should organically present themselves at the end of the process based primarily on prudence and application. Be wary of good results being deceptively touted initially, and consequently never realized based on lack of experience.

“You must under promise, and over deliver.” He experienced several philosophies and style differences with different tax firms prior, and eventually prioritized the importance of being an honest broker with the clientele, a priority not always present in prior firms he’s worked for. He also knows the importance of frequent communication with the clientele, so as to ensure that clients are never in need nor in the dark on their case. He quickly gained the respect of those clients He serves, and now manages the team at Leading Tax Group.He truly believes that Leading Tax Group employs these honest credos, and promotes these ideals with the team he manages to vastly improve the client experience, as well as the outcome of their tax cases.

Honesty is the only sustainable model.

Javier I.

Senior Tax Accountant (Specializing in Preparing Multiple Delinquent Tax Returns)

Javier expertly prepares, amends and reviews all types of tax returns, from personal to Corporate, payroll to partnerships, and everything in between. He works directly with our clientele in evaluating and refining Balance sheets, Profit & loss, and other source materials to ensure the tax returns accurately reflects true data for correct reporting and removing audit exposure.

This is a true and invaluable application to the process not always provided as a service elsewhere, as our mission is to help the tax accounts and not create harmful exposure in the process. With Javier…it all adds up.

Darius C.

CPA

Darius graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Accountancy from San Beda University-Manila, Philippines. He has more than 20 years of professional experience that includes audit and assurance, accounting and bookkeeping, tax return preparation and consultation, tax compliance, and financial statement preparation. Prior to moving to the United States, he was an Audit Senior Manager at Punongbayan & Araullo (now P&A Grant Thornton). After moving to the United States, Darius acted as a Tax Manager at local CPA firms in Santa Monica and Camarillo.

His industry knowledge includes manufacturing, food and beverage, retail and distribution, professional services, medical and dental practices, fund management, car rental and transportation, entertainment, and real estate to name a few. Darius is a licensed CPA in the State of California.

Patricia C

Case manager

Patricia Chavez is a seasoned Senior Account Manager at Leading Tax Group, bringing over five years of expertise in client solutions and tax resolution. She plays a vital role in ensuring seamless case management by gathering necessary documents, meeting critical deadlines, and working closely with agents to resolve complex tax matters. Patricia is dedicated to guiding clients through every stage of the tax resolution process, helping them understand the necessary steps for an efficient outcome. She proactively communicates with clients, keeping them informed of tax agency notices while fostering strong, trust-based relationships. With a client-centric approach, she ensures high satisfaction by delivering strategic solutions tailored to individual tax challenges.

Lorina T

Account Manager

With over 15 years of experience in the industry, I am an Account Manager dedicated to guiding clients through the complexities of their financial and legal situations. I started my career in 2008 as a receptionist and have since progressed through various roles, including Sales Assistant, Document Specialist, Admin to Audit agent, Tax Prep Assistant, and now Account Manager. This diverse background has given me a well-rounded understanding of the industry, allowing me to effectively manage client cases and ensure seamless communication between clients and agents.

I’m passionate about helping clients understand their unique circumstances. I believe that educating clients on tax laws and case details not only empowers them but also fosters trust and transparency. My approach is simple: the more a client knows, the more confident they will feel in the work we’re doing on their behalf. I’m committed to providing updates on client cases, pulling detailed reports, and ensuring that agents are well-informed of the latest developments.

I pride myself on being a reliable point of contact for clients, always striving to offer clarity and support every step of the way.

Danny S

Accountant / Case Manager

With 10 years of experience as a tax preparer, Danny Sebahar has specialized in servicing ultra-high-net-worth individuals and has developed an extensive understanding of complex tax strategies. Having worked in San Francisco, Danny Sebahar has expertise in preparing tax returns for venture capital and private equity partnerships, as well as their owners. This experience has honed a deep proficiency in foreign taxes and filings, making Danny Sebahar a trusted advisor for clients with international tax needs.

Highly skilled in navigating various business structures, Danny Sebehar is well-versed in managing the tax and financial requirements of trusts, foundations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S-corporations. With five years of bookkeeping experience, Danny Sebahar has a meticulous eye for detail and a reputation for being a hard worker.

Josh M

Senior Enrolled Agent

Josh M is a dedicated Senior Enrolled Agent at Leading Tax Group, specializing in IRS tax representation and consultation.  He expertly guides clients through complex tax challenges with precision and personalized care.

Samantha R

Billing Department

Samantha R. is a dedicated professional at Leading Tax Group, specializing in billing, tax resolution, and customer service. She plays a key role in managing billing department tasks ensuring accurate processing of payments, invoices, and financial records. Her attention to detail helps maintain compliance and efficiency in all financial transactions. With a strong focus on client satisfaction, Samantha provides exceptional customer service, assisting clients with billing inquiries and guiding them through the payment process. She works closely with internal teams to ensure seamless communication, supporting clients at every stage of their tax resolution journey. Her commitment to accuracy and client care makes her an integral part of the team.

Albert Bagdasarian

Former IRS Tax Attorney providing Tax Resolution Services

Albert Bagdasarian started law school at California Western School of Law and started his pursuit for a career in tax law. After his first year in law school, Albert worked at a tax law firm specializing in audit examinations. Albert worked directly with tax attorneys, business owners, and tax representatives in resolving federal and state audit examinations. After his second year of law school, Albert interned at San Diego Legal Aid Society – Tax Clinic assisting low low income individuals in resolving their tax liabilities. Albert received hands-on experience learning how to resolve tax disputes using all available options. Albert continued interning for the Tax Clinic all throughout his third year and stopped only to study for the bar exam once he finished law school.

After law school, Albert continued his pursuit for a career in tax law. While awaiting for the bar results, Albert worked as a law clerk at American Tax Solutions (“ATS”). At ATS, Albert started as a law clerk and worked his way to be a senior attorney in a short time. Albert worked directly with various departments making sure all aspects of the tax matters were addressed. During his time at ATS, Albert was able to finalize his CPA licensure and finish a Tax LLM program from Loyola Law School. As an attorney and CPA Albert was able to address many different complex business and tax matters. Afterwards, Albert accepted a position to work in tax counsel’s office at the IRS as a tax attorney. Albert represented the government on a variety of different cases, including attending tax court. Albert rejoined the private sector to assist clients in tax matters using his vast array of experience.