Plunkett Cooney senior tax attorney Joseph A. Peterson was recently named to serve on the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) District I Character and Fitness Committee.
Appointed by the Board of Commissioners, Peterson’s two-year term began on Jan. 1. In his role as a committee member, he will support the work of the SBM, conducted under the direction and authority of the Board of Law Examiners and Michigan Supreme Court, by investigating the character and fitness of candidates for admission to the bar association.
Peterson serves as the Tax Law Practice Group Leader of Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and most accomplished law firms. He primarily focuses his practice on the resolution of individual and business tax controversies, including audit defense, collections and litigation involving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and/or state of Michigan governmental entities.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Peterson’s expertise includes negotiating the resolution of outstanding tax issues by utilizing penalty abatements, lien removals, discharge or subordination, installment agreements and offers in compromise to settle tax balances, which provide individuals and businesses with a fresh start with the IRS or state of Michigan. He has experience obtaining innocent spouse relief for his clients, and he monitors the IRS transcripts of high-net-worth individuals and businesses to prevent additional tax assessments and to address future audits. Peterson also represents clients in U.S. Tax Court.
In addition, Peterson has extensive experience regarding the Employee Retention Credit Program (ERC) and Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. He also consults with clients to safeguard against any future ERC audits conducted by the IRS relating to the program.
Peterson received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2015 and his undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2012.
