Practices
Education
- J.D.American University Washington College of Lawcum laude1998
- B.A.Pennsylvania State University1995
Anthony Provenzano's practice focuses on the tax, ERISA, and other laws impacting executive compensation and employee benefits, as well as the employment tax and reporting issues that may arise with respect to such arrangements. He routinely advises clients on the various rules regarding non-qualified, equity, and tax-qualified arrangements, and the surrounding employment tax and deduction issues. In addition, Mr. Provenzano's practice includes controversy matters involving the IRS, DOL and PBGC exams and disputes.
Mr. Provenzano's extensive experience in executive compensation and employee benefit matters allows him to advise clients on the broader legal implications of an arrangement and how various benefit regimes could interact. His experience in handling controversy matters, involving split dollar arrangements, deferred compensation programs, mispriced stock options, and qualified plans, can also help a client understand how plan language may be viewed by a government examiner or a participant asserting a claim. Clients quoted by Chambers have described Mr. Provenzano as "very thorough and very knowledgeable of the tax code."
Mr. Provenzano is frequently asked to speak on matters regarding executive compensation, including deferred compensation and the attendant payroll tax and reporting obligations with respect to such arrangements, the deduction limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), defending against IRS executive compensation and employment tax audits, and IRS guidance regarding correction of failures under a Code Section 409A arrangement.
- Advised employer regarding the ERISA and tax implications of borrowing from life insurance policies under split dollar program.
- Advised multinational on U.S. tax law issues, including Section 409A issues, involved portion of global equity incentive scheme dedicated to employees subject to U.S. tax law.
- Advised employer involved in one of the largest bankruptcies in the U.S. with respect to the employer’s pension obligations. This matter involved extensive negotiations with the PBGC regarding the bankruptcy and proposed emergence transactions.
- Frequently advise employers on the payroll tax implications of their executive compensation programs, including the proper FICA procedures.
- Advised a large financial institution regarding the interaction between Section 409A and split-dollar arrangements and assisted in structuring a new arrangement that would comply with Section 409A but retain many of the tax-favorable features of the split-dollar arrangement.
- Successfully resolved certain employment tax and corporate deduction issues regarding mispriced incentive stock options with the closing agreement resulting in a favorable corporate deduction.
- Successfully defended companies in PBGC examinations regarding PBGC premium calculations and pension terminations.
- Obtained a favorable IRS ruling regarding a controlled group determination that included both taxable and tax-exempt entities despite the lack of authority surrounding such an arrangement.
- Advised numerous employers regarding permissible corrections of Section 409A failures pursuant to IRS Notice 2008-113 and the potential income inclusion implications under IRS Notice 2008-115 and proposed Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-4.
- Advised a public company regarding tax and benefits implications of a spin-off of a subsidiary including the potential allocation of the deductions relating to the stock option income.
- Advised numerous companies regarding the termination of defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans.
- Advised numerous companies regarding the implications of Section 280G and golden parachute payments. Restructured arrangements to avoid excise tax implications.
- Advised numerous public companies regarding the implications of Section 162(m) structured arrangements to fit within definition of performance-based compensation.
- Assisted an employer in conversion of the traditional formula pension plan to a cash-balance pension arrangement.
- Chambers USA: Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (District of Columbia), 2014 - 2015, 2019
- Legal 500: Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, 2013 - 2014
Bar Admissions
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District of Columbia
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New York
Miller & Chevalier is pleased to announce that the firm was recognized as a "Gold Level Donor" to the DC Bar's Raising the Bar campaign.
Washington, DC, May 3, 2019 – Miller & Chevalier Chartered today announced that the firm received multiple practice and individual lawyer rankings in the 2019 edition of Chambe
George Hani and Anthony Provenzano will speal at the PLI Live Seminar, Tax Strategies for Corporate Acquisitions, Dispositions, Spin-Offs, Joint Ventures, Financings, Reorganizations & Restruct
Los Angeles, CA
Anthony G. Provenzano will be speaking at the Tax Executives Institute (TEI) Pittsburgh Chapter meeting on October 3, 2018. Provenzano will present "Hot Topics in Executive Compensation."
Pittsburgh, PA
Anthony G. Provenzano and Andrew L. Howlett will present during Tax Executives Institute's (TEI) Harrisburg CPE Meeting on June 19, 2018.
Harrisburg, PA
On May 2, 2019, the Third Circuit issued its precedential decision in Sweda v.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations on June 21, 2016 under Code § 409A to cl
02.25.2015
In this article, Marianna Dyson* and Anthony Provenzano discuss the implications o
09.06.2014
In this article, Elizabeth Drake and Anthony Provenzano discuss the residual liabilities following plan terminations.