Brian develops and implements wealth transfer strategies for high-net-worth individuals, provides strategy for business succession planning and the administration and tax compliance of trusts, estates and exempt organizations. Brian is adept at tailoring estate tax deferral and wealth transfer strategies that fulfill the personal and non-tax objectives of his clients.
He received his B.A. from Northwestern University in 1976, his J.D. with honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1979 and his L.L.M. (Taxation) with high honors from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1989. He is licensed to practice in Illinois as both an attorney and a Certified Public Accountant.
Brian served as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Masters of Science in Taxation Program at the Chicago Campus, where he taught both “Taxation Closely Held Business Entities and their Stakeholders” and “Fiduciary Income Taxation” for over twelve years. Brian was voted the Faculty MVP in 2009, 2010 and 2015 by the graduating classes.
Brian is a Past Chairman of the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) and is the current Chair of the Illinois Board of Examiners which oversees the administrate of the CPA Examination in Illinois. In 2014, Brian received the ICPAS Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, Brian received the Chicago Estate Planning Council’s Austin Fleming Distinguished Service Award.
In addition to his continued active involvement in professional associations of Certified Public Accountants, Brian is a member of the American Bar Association, including its Tax Section and the Real Property and Probate Section; the Illinois State Bar Association; the Chicago Bar Association, including participation in the Federal Estate and Gift Tax Committee. Brian is a frequent speaker of tax and wealth transfer planning topics. He writes a bi-month column under the by-line “Untaxingly Yours” for Taxes – The Tax Magazine, published by the CCH division of Wolters Kluwer’s.
EDUCATION
Chicago-Kent College of Law, LL.M, Taxation, with High Honors, 1989
Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D. with Honors, 1979
Northwestern University, B.A., 1976
Illinois Certified Public Accountant
BAR ADMISSIONS
Illinois, 1979
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Bar Association
Section of Taxation
Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Federal Estate and Gift Tax Committee
COURT ADMISSIONS
United States Tax Court
HONORS & AWARDS
Chicago Estate Planning Council’s Austin Fleming Distinguished Service Award, 2018
ICPAS Lifetime Achievement Award, 2014
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Chair of the Illinois Board of Examiners
- "The Tax Impact of Repaying a Signing Bonus," Taxes - The Tax Magazine, Wolters Kluwer (April 2022)
- "One Hundred Years of Tax Planning," Taxes - The Tax Magazine, Wolters Kluwer (February 2022)
- "Making a Gift Tax Return (Check) List and Checking it Twice," Taxes - The Tax Magazine, Wolters Kluwer (August 2021)
- "What Every Tax Professional Needs to Remember About Fiduciary Income Tax," Taxes - The Tax Magazine, Wolters Kluwer (April 2021)
- "Working From Home During a Pandemic: Income Tax Implications," Taxes - The Tax Magazine, Wolters Kluwer (December 2020)
LATEST NEWS & INSIGHTS FROM Brian T. Whitlock
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August 22, 2023 News
New and part-time business ventures frequently experience start-up losses. With a solid business plan and good recordkeeping, entrepreneurs will be better equipped to develop their businesses and safely deduct their early losses. Brian T. Whitlock examines the intricate details of tax regulations and offers insight on how to make informed decisions.
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May 30, 2023 News
With the proper strategies and utilizations of tax code provisions, estate planners can properly prepare their small business clients for any situation. Brian T. Whitlock explains how prudent estate planners and business succession planners can judiciously arrange their clients’ affairs and avoid potential pitfalls.
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March 30, 2023 News
This planning requires an understanding of the three elements of the “Devil’s Triangle:” Fiduciary Accounting Income, Trust Taxable Income and Distributable Net Income.
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February 7, 2023 News
Buy-Sell agreements help eliminate uncertainty with regard to the succession of ownership in the event of an extraordinary circumstance like death, divorce or bankruptcy.
Golan Christie Taglia attorney Brian T. Whitlock provides an overview of various types of Buy-Sell agreements.
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January 4, 2023 NewsLEYNEE CRUZ FLORES AND BRIAN T. WHITLOCK DISCUSS CORRECTING MISTAKES IN TAX ELECTIONS IN CNA ARTICLE
Golan Christie Taglia attorneys Leynee Cruz FLorez and Brian T. Whitlock co-authored an article for CNA where they discuss available avenues for correcting errors made when filing tax elections and best practices for reporting errors to clients as well as accounting and legal malpractice carriers.
Read More - All News & Insights From Brian T. Whitlock >>