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Introduction
Bruce Serchuk focuses his practice on tax issues as they relate to debt securities, particularly tax-exempt bonds.
My focus
Public finance
I advise clients regarding the tax aspects of tax-exempt bond transactions, acting primarily as bond counsel, borrower’s counsel and underwriter’s counsel. I have participated in a wide variety of bond transactions, including financings for governmental facilities, student loans, multifamily housing, stadiums and nonprofit hospitals, universities and cultural institutions. I also spend a significant amount of time working on IRS examinations and voluntary closing agreements.
Government experience
My time in government gave me the experience needed to provide accurate and practical advice to clients. Prior to joining the firm, I worked in the Office of Tax Policy at the Treasury Department, and the Office of the Chief Counsel at the Internal Revenue Service. At Treasury, I was an attorney-advisor responsible for drafting published guidance and providing advice regarding legislative issues relating to tax-exempt bonds. While at the IRS, I was the senior technician attorney in the Tax-Exempt Bond Branch, responsible for drafting published guidance and for drafting and reviewing private letter rulings and technical advice memoranda, including rulings regarding arbitrage, private activity bonds and mixed-use allocations.
Enforcement
While at the IRS, I provided advice in connection with various enforcement matters, negotiated closing agreements and trained IRS audit personnel. I draw upon these experiences and the contacts I made when clients are faced with IRS examinations or the need to self-correct violations through the IRS’ voluntary closing agreement program.
Looking ahead
I expect a continued emphasis on the IRS enforcement side of the public finance practice, with more and more time spent by issuers and their professionals on ensuring they are in compliance with the tax law.
Insights
- Co-author, “The Coming Changes in Tax-Exempt Health Care Finance,” Journal of Health Care Finance, Volume 22:1, 1995
In the news
- Bond Buyer
New York State Thruway Authority sets $2.2 billion sale of PIT bonds
This article on the New York State Thruway Authority’s planned sale of $2.2 billion of personal income tax bonds mentions NP as co-bond counsel. The NP team advising on the bond sale includes New York City partners Chris Reitzel and Adam Gordon, counsel Abbie Olsen, and associates Georgia Sackey and Kate Stack; Rochester partner Barry Carrigan; Washington, DC partners Bruce Serchuk and Joel Swearingen; and Albany counsel Jeff Pohl, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance practice.July 11, 2022 - The Bond Buyer
New York State's over $2.1 PIT bond sale should see demand, analysts say
This article mentions the firm as co-bond counsel to Empire State Development Corporation’s scheduled issuance of PIT bonds on behalf of New York State in a competitive deal to fund capital projects, for the work by New York City partner Chris Reitzel, counsel Abbie Olsen and associates Adam Gordon and Kate Stack, and Washington, D.C. partner Bruce Serchuk and associate Joel Swearingen, all in the Project Finance & Public Finance group.Dec 14, 2020 - The Bond Buyer
DASNY sells over $2.5B of PIT bonds; munis unchanged in face of large supply
This article on the state of the municipal bond market covers the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York’s sale of almost $2.5 billion of personal income tax receipt bonds. The firm is mentioned as bond counsel for the work by New York partners Chris Reitzel and Virginia Wong, and associates Adam Gordon and Kate Stack; Albany counsel Jeff Pohl; and Washington, D.C. partner Bruce Serchuk and associate Joel Swearingen, all of the Project Finance & Public Finance group.Oct 8, 2020 - The Bond Buyer
IRS acknowledges some bond audits are erroneously selected
This article recaps the recent National Association of Bond Lawyers panel on bond audits. Washington, DC Project Finance and Public Finance partner Bruce Serchuk, who served as the panel’s moderator, is quoted discussing best practices on when to send documents to the IRS.March 11, 2019 - Law360
New remedial actions for tax-advantaged bonds and P3s
Nixon Peabody public finance partners Travis Gibbs of San Francisco and Mitch Rappaport, Bruce Serchuk and Carla Young of Washington DC co-wrote this analysis on the new IRS procedures that can be used “to cure impermissible use of bond-financed projects.”April 20, 2018
Admitted to practice
District of Columbia
New York
Education
George Mason University School of Law, J.D.
Lehigh University, College of Business and Economics, B.S. Bu., Accounting
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 in the field of Public Finance Law. Bruce has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2010.
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllVirginia Wong
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Project Finance and Public Finance- New York
- Office:+1 212.940.3028
- vwong@nixonpeabody.com
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Julie K. Seymour
Partner / Strategic Impact Partner- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4353
- jkseymour@nixonpeabody.com
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