About Richard
Professional ExperienceRich’s practice focuses on businesses and individuals in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the Washington State Department of Revenue. Prior to joining Helsell Fetterman, Rich was a partner at LeSourd & Patten.In addition to his practice, Rich teaches a course in federal tax procedure in the Masters of Science in Taxation (MSTax) program at the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business.Typical cases include:Representing taxpayers in audits and appealsIncluding the examination stage, protesting proposed adjustments to the IRS Office of Appeals, and filing petitions to the United States Tax CourtRepresenting tax return preparers in protesting return preparer penaltiesChallenging federal trust fund recovery penalty assessments (unpaid federal employment taxes)General tax collection matters such as penalty abatement, offers in compromise, installment agreements, and resolving lien, levy, and garnishment issuesProtesting Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) audit determinations for in-state and out-of-state taxpayers (including business & occupation tax, sales tax, use tax, cigarette & tobacco taxes); including representing taxpayers accused of using sales suppression (zapper) softwareAppealing Washington DOR trust fund accountability assessments (collected and unpaid sales tax)Professional AffiliationsWashington State Bar Association Taxation SectionCommunications Chair - currentTax Section Chair - October 2018 to September 2019Tax Section Executive Committee - 2013 to CurrentRecognitionBest Lawyers in America / US News Best Lawyers, Tax Law: 2010 - 2023Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2023Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Tax Law: 2011 - 2016Admitted To PracticeWashington StateUnited States Tax CourtUnited States District Court For the Western District of WashingtonUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Rich’s practice focuses on businesses and individuals in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the Washington State Department of Revenue. Prior to joining Helsell Fetterman, Rich was a partner at LeSourd & Patten.
In addition to his practice, Rich teaches a course in federal tax procedure in the Masters of Science in Taxation (MSTax) program at the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business.
Typical cases include: