Susan Pristo Reaman focuses her practice advising clients on federal tax credit issues for the low-income housing tax credit and related IRS Form 8823 compliance matters; the new markets tax credit, specializing in Targeted Populations transactions; the historic tax credit; and the renewable energy tax credits.
Most recently Susan has expanded her role at the firm as Senior Policy Advisor for federal taxation. With her 30-plus years at the IRS, Susan provides an added benefit to clients through her unique ability to “think” like the IRS. She successfully draws on her in-depth understanding of IRS rules and procedures to resolve novel tax issues for her clients by obtaining IRS private letter rulings, and working with examining agents and appeals officers in the audit process. Susan can lay out complicated deals to make the best case to the IRS for her clients.
Prior to joining Nixon Peabody in 2008, Susan was the Branch Chief in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Washington, DC, that had jurisdiction over the tax credit programs. Serving in this capacity since 1996, she was responsible for writing, and reviewing IRS tax credit regulations, rulings, and advising IRS agents with tax credit audit issues.
Susan stays on top of tax credit related legislation, advises clients of new tax credit rulings and regulations, and is a regular contributor to the Affordable Housing Blog. In the renewable energy area, she successfully worked with clients that received tax credits under the very competitive Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit for U.S. Manufacturers. She also follows new federal programs, such as the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, for new sources of capital for distressed communities.
Susan is a regular speaker at the Institute for Professional and Executive Development (IPED), and the Institute for Responsible Housing Preservation (IRHP) conferences. She has written many articles on the various aspects of the tax credits, including the utility allowances for the low-income housing tax credit and the targeted populations requirements under the new markets tax credit program.
Susan received numerous awards during her tenure with the IRS, and was awarded the Hammer Award in 2000 from the National Partnership for Reinventing Government, headed by former Vice President Al Gore, and an award for her contribution to the modernization and restructuring of the IRS and the Office of Chief Counsel.