Neil D. Katz, Managing Partner
Neil D. Katz is the Managing Partner of Katz, Smith & Chwat, P.C. and is responsible for the administration of the firm’s overall practice. He serves as lead attorney for many of the firm’s tax controversy and planning, corporate sales and acquisitions, business planning and transactions, and estate planning matters.
Neil’s practice focuses on federal and state income tax issues, as well as matters relating to corporate, partnership, estate and gift taxation. His services include strategic planning and drafting various business agreements and complex estate plans, and negotiation and representation in the acquisitions or sales of business interests. He has represented clients before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service and the New York State and New York City Tax Departments as well as the U.S. Tax Court and the New York State and New York City Divisions of Tax Appeals and Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Among the key strengths that Neil brings to his role at KSC is an analytical approach to problem-solving. He enjoys breaking down very complex subjects and communicating them in terms that can be easily understood. His thorough technical knowledge of Internal Revenue and New York State tax laws is also valued by KSC clients and the firm’s professional colleagues.
Neil is a professor of Taxation at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University, where he applies both his extensive technical expertise and effective communication skills, teaching in both the undergraduate accounting program and the graduate tax program. He is also frequently called upon to speak before various professional organizations, including the New York State Society of CPA’s, National Conference of CPA Practitioners, Nassau and Suffolk County Bar Associations, Financial Planners Association, Suffolk and Nassau County Estate Planning Councils as well as many local and regional CPA firms. Neil has also been a featured lecturer at the LIU Post Tax & Accounting Institute and the Hofstra University Entrepreneurial Assistance Program.
Neil is a primary lecturer and contributor to the development of the Katz Tax Seminars, LLC; a well- recognized, widely attended continuing education program registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy as a sponsor of continuing education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.
In May of 2012 Neil testified as an expert witness at a hearing before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Small Business, Sub-Committee on Economic Growth and Capital Access. At the hearing titled “Planning for the Death Tax: Can Small Businesses Survive?” Neil testified on the impact that the Estate Tax rules have on small business owners and their families. (See the video here).
In 2001, Neil was named as one of Long Island’s “40 Rising Stars Under 40” by the Long Island Business News. In June, 2013 was listed in the LIBN “Who’s Who in Corporate Law.” Neil was also recognized as a “Top Ten Legal Eagle” for his work in Corporate, Contracts & Business Law by Long Island Pulse Magazine in 2014.
Neil has co-authored a number of articles that have appeared in various professional publications, including the CPA Journal, the New York State Bar Association Elder Law Attorney, the Nassau Lawyer, and the Suffolk Lawyer.
Neil resides in Dix Hills, New York with his wife and their two daughters.
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Recent Speaking Engagements and Presentations
- Valuation Issues in Business Succession Planning, NYSSCPA/FAE Business Valuation Conference, May 15, 2017
- Utilizing Trusts as IRA Beneficiary & The Related Tax Consequences, Estate Planning Council of Suffolk County, May 25, 2017
- Trusts as IRA Beneficiary, Estate Planning Council of Suffolk County, May 11, 2016
- Charitable Trusts, National Business Institute, October 26, 2016
- Top 10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes, Network of Allied Professionals, Inc., November 3, 2016
- 1040 Update, Long Island Tax Practitioners Symposium (National Conference of CPA Practitioners and Internal Revenue Service), November 16 and 17, 2016
- Top 10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes, Long Island Tax Practitioners Symposium (National Conference of CPA Practitioners and Internal Revenue Service), November 18, 2016
- Annual Tax Update, NYSSCPA Nassau Chapter, December 3 and 4, 2016
- Annual Tax Update, NYSSCPA Suffolk Chapter, December 10, 2016
Professional/Civic/Philanthropic Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Member
- New York State Bar Association, Member
- Nassau County Bar Association, Member
- Chair, Attorney/Accountants Committee, (2013-2014)
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Member
- Chair, Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee (2008-2010)
- Suffolk County Estate Planning Council, Member
- President (2011-2013)
- Executive Board (2009-2015)
- Nassau County Estate Planning Council, Member
- New York State Society of CPAs, Associate Industry Member
- Long Island Practitioner/IRS Liaison Committee, Member
- Villa Veritas Foundation, Director