Millions of Americans earn money through the sharing and freelance economies, and the number of participants in those economies is expected to grow. The lack of automatic tax withholding from many of the participants in these new economies, along with novel compensation arrangements, has given rise to significant compliance issues for the Treasury. Further, the lack of IRS guidance to participants in the sharing economy has increased compliance risk and has also failed to inform market participants of potential tax benefits to which they may be entitled. This presentation will discuss the potential tax pitfalls and tax benefits for participants in the sharing and freelance economies.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Counsel
[email protected]
(202) 637-3376
Joshua Wu, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) for Appellate and Review in the Tax Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), counsels and advocates for companies and high-net-worth individuals on all aspects of tax controversies and litigation. Mr. Wu advises on tax accounting disputes, corporate and partnership transactional issues, international questions, employee benefits matters, and tax-exempt controversies. He brings a unique knowledge base and skill set to his clients, drawing on his experience both in senior leadership roles in the DOJ’s Tax Division and private practice.
Most recently, when Mr. Wu served as DAAG, he oversaw virtually all appeals in civil federal tax cases throughout the country and managed a 40-lawyer team. He also represented the United States in oral appellate arguments, evaluated and approved significant civil settlement offers, and furnished advice to the Tax Division’s trial sections in complex tax cases.
Mr. Wu previously served as DAAG for Policy and Planning, where he led the Office of Management and Administration (OMA) at DOJ. In that role, he led the operational functions of the Tax Division and led the Office of Legislation and Policy, which works with the Department of Treasury, the IRS, and other agencies on legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives. Before his government service, Mr. Wu was a partner at a large international law firm.