Senior tax executives discuss tax, risk, and management at Indian Wells.

• Author: Bullington, David

More than 125 chief tax officers and other senior tax professionals attended TEI's Fourth Annual Senior Tax Executives Conference in mid-May. The two-day conference in Palm Springs afforded the STEs the opportunity to participate in wide-ranging discussions on tax and management trends and issues. Meeting at the Renaissance Esmeralda at the foot of California's Santa Rosa mountains, conference participates enjoyed a two-day technical and networking program chock full of technical discussion and networking opportunities with many of the tax profession's thought leaders.

According to TEI President Dave Bernard, "the conference's format and size are intended to encourage dialogue, discussion, and interchange. We have had great success with this meeting by limiting the number of participants," he added. Mr. Bernard reported that two of the highlights were the luncheon remarks by Deborah Nolan, Commissioner of the IRS's Large and Mid-Size Business Division, and Eric Solomon, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).

"We were delighted to have LMSB's and the Treasury's top tax officials with us in Indian Wells," he said, "Their continuing willingness to engage the corporate community on matters of tax policy and tax administration is both welcomed and appreciated." Commissioner Nolan discussed the IRS's internal debate on the effect of FIN 48, relating to uncertain tax positions, on IRS examination processes. Mr. Bernard said that Mr. Solomon's comments on the tax legislative agenda were equally insightful. Among the topics covered...