Benefits Rulings and Audit Defense
Reflecting both our deep understanding of the standards governing employee benefit plans and familiarity with agency procedures -- our main office is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., two doors down from the IRS and a block from the Treasury Department -- we have achieved remarkable success securing favorable rulings from the IRS on even the most complex employee benefits issues. For example, in just the past several years, we negotiated the largest pension plan funding waivers ever granted by the IRS and PBGC, helped two other multinational corporations secure IRS private letter rulings on complex qualified plan issues of first impression, received IRS approval for a never-before-approved accounting method change permitting a multi-million acceleration of deductions for VEBA retiree medical contributions, and secured IRS approval for an innovative retiree-medical funding vehicle involving a multinational employer’s 401(k) plan.
We also frequently represent plan sponsors in defending against IRS and Department of Labor audits of qualified retirement plans, welfare plans, executive compensation arrangements, fringe benefit programs and payroll tax filings, with a remarkable record of success helping clients fend off agency challenges. Ivins is particularly well qualified to assist employers against current IRS audit initiatives relating to worker classification and executive compensation, including compliance with Section 409A.
News
- February 27, 2018
Ivins Attorney Spencer Walters Quoted in Forbes
Forbes - January 25, 2018
Ivins Attorneys Participated in DC Bar Sponsored Panels re: Tax Reform - December 11, 2017
Kevin O'Brien Profiled by Lawdragon
Lawdragon - Lawyer Limelights - October 24, 2017
Ivins Attorney Ben Grosz Shared Insights at 2017 Healthcare & Retirement Plan Summit - September 21, 2017
Benjamin Grosz Addresses Washington Area Compensation and Benefits Association - May 23, 2017
Robin Solomon Quoted on Socially Responsible Investing
Fiduciary News - May 22, 2017
Robin Solomon Speaks at Minnesota Society of CPAs Conference - May 9, 2017
Kevin O'Brien Quoted by BNA on Pension Plan Funding Strategies
Pension & Benefits Daily (Bloomberg BNA) - April 25, 2017
Esptein and Walters Lead Workshop re: Surviving a DOL Audit - April 20, 2017
Kevin O'Brien Moderates Panel at DC Bar Taxation Section - January/February 2017
Benjamin L. Grosz Interviewed for PLANSPONSOR Magazine Cover Story on Monitoring and Evaluating Retirement Plan Fees
PLANSPONSOR Magazine - February 14, 2017
Steve Witmer Rejoins Ivins - December 1, 2016
Ivins Attorney, Ben Grosz, Featured Panelist at Best of PLANSPONSOR National Conference - November 21, 2016
Benjamin Grosz Speaks on Retirement Plan Investment Fiduciary Best Practices, Lessons from Recent Litigation, and New DOL Rules - November/December 2016
Robin Solomon Quoted re DOL Fiduciary Rule
Connections - September 20, 2016
Robin Solomon and Ben Grosz Shared Insights at Healthcare & Retirement Plan Summit - June 23, 2016
Robin Solomon Speaks at the DC Bar on the DOL Fiduciary Rules - June 14, 2016
Ivins Attorney Benjamin Grosz Interviewed on 401(k) QDIA Fiduciary Red Flags for Plan Sponsors
FiduciaryNews.com - May 1, 2016
Benjamin Grosz Interviewed by CNBC about 401(k) Plan Lawsuits - April 28, 2016
Ivins Attorneys Teach ABA Employee Benefits Law CLE for Hundreds of Lawyers - April 2016
Nine Ivins Attorneys Named as 2016 DC Super Lawyers - April 12, 2016
Robin Solomon Quoted in Investment News on DOL Fiduciary Rule Enforcement
Investment News - April 5, 2016
Robin Solomon and Ben Grosz Interviewed on 401(k) Plan Fee Arrangements in Light of New DOL Fiduciary Rule
FiduciaryNews.com - February 23, 2016
Ivins Attorney Benjamin L. Grosz Interviewed on 401(k) Fee Litigation and Plan Sponsor Reaction
FiduciaryNews.com - February 12, 2016
Robin Solomon and Benjamin Grosz quoted in US News & World Report on Tax-Advantaged Employee and Fringe Benefits
US News & World Report - April 17, 2015
Ivins Attorneys Speak to ABA Business Law Section on Employee Benefits - February 10, 2015
Six Ivins Attorneys Speak at Cincinnati-Columbus Chapter of TEI - October 24, 2013
Jodi Epstein speaks to DC Bar on Determination Letter Process - April 17, 2013
Jonathan Zimmerman Speaks at TEI Audits & Appeals Seminar - October 30, 2012
Ivins Attorneys Speak at TEI Annual Conference - September 23, 2011
Rosina Barker Gives 409A Presentation to the Southern Federal Tax Institute
Publications