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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October 2, 2024 News
Brian Whitlock explains why a Donor Advised Fund may be a better choice in donating to a public institution.
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August 5, 2024 News
The U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed the decision of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals that contractual obligation to redeem the stock of a closely held corporation did not create a liability that would offset the value of the life insurance policies that were owned by corporations. In this article, Brian Whitlock addresses the recent Supreme Court decision on entity redemption agreements that are funded with life insurance policies owned by the redeeming entity. Brian examines the result of this decision and cautions what family business advisors can do potentially help their clients.
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May 30, 2024 News
In part II of his article, A Practical Guide to Life Insurance, Brian Whitlock continues his in-depth review of life insurance, this time focusing on the income and estate tax aspects. He explores potential traps with how life insurance contracts should be owned and where death benefits should flow.
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April 11, 2024 News
Brian Whitlock breaks down Life Insurance in his recent TAXES – The Tax Magazine article, “A Practical Guide to Life Insurance – Part I: Understanding Terminology and Uses”.
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March 27, 2024 News
Brian T. Whitlock analyzes the recent ruling in Soroban Capital Partners LP and its consequences in his recent TAXES – The Tax Magazine article, “Soboran and the SECA Calculus on Flow-Thru Entities.”
Read More - All News & Insights From Brian T. Whitlock >>