Former IRS Large Business & International Commissioner Holly Paz Joins alliant on September 1, 2026

HOUSTON – Holly Paz, who most recently served as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Large Business & International (LB&I) Division and was a key architect of Section 48 implementation, officially joined alliant on September 1, 2026. Her appointment significantly bolsters alliant’s expertise in complex tax matters, particularly within the energy infrastructure and investment tax credit landscape.

Paz brings over two decades of extensive experience in federal tax law and administration to her new role, where she will help lead alliant’s Section 48 and energy infrastructure practice. Her tenure at the IRS’s LB&I Division placed her at the helm of tax administration for some of the nation’s largest and most complex taxpayers, including major corporations, partnerships, S corporations, high-wealth individuals, and cross-border filers. This experience provided her with an unparalleled understanding of the intricacies of tax compliance and policy for entities operating at scale and across international boundaries.

alliant, a firm recognized for its deep bench of tax luminaries, including other former IRS leaders, gains a critical asset in Paz. The firm specializes in navigating the most challenging tax issues facing businesses today. Mark Everson, alliant’s Vice Chairman and a former IRS commissioner himself under President George W. Bush, emphasized the strategic importance of Paz’s arrival. “Holly rounds out an alliant team of former IRS leaders second to none, with experience across all categories of taxpayers, including small, medium, and large businesses as well as governmental entities,” Everson stated. “Her arrival strengthens our ability to bring a unique perspective and exceptional technical capability to the most complex issues facing taxpayers.”

The move of a high-ranking official like Paz from a pivotal IRS division to the private sector underscores the increasing complexity of federal tax law, particularly in areas like energy credits. For small and mid-sized businesses, while they may not directly fall under the LB&I’s audit purview, the regulatory frameworks established for larger entities often influence the broader tax environment. Understanding these high-level regulatory interpretations is crucial, as many SMBs engage in activities that could qualify for similar credits or are part of supply chains for larger projects that do. We at C&S Finance Group LLC have observed firsthand how quickly tax codes evolve, making it challenging for businesses to ensure compliance and optimize their tax positions without specialized guidance. This is precisely why services like our tax preparation and compliance are so vital; they help businesses not only meet their obligations but also strategically plan for future growth amidst a dynamic regulatory landscape. We believe proactive engagement with tax experts is not just good practice, but a necessity for financial health.

Section 48, which pertains to the investment tax credit (ITC) for energy property, has become a cornerstone of federal policy aimed at accelerating the transition to clean energy. With recent legislative changes, particularly those introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the scope and opportunities within Section 48 have expanded significantly. This expansion, however, comes with heightened complexity regarding eligibility requirements, domestic content rules, prevailing wage and apprenticeship mandates, and intricate recapture provisions. Paz’s direct involvement as an “architect of Section 48 implementation” at the IRS means she played a formative role in shaping the agency’s interpretation and enforcement strategies for these critical provisions. Her insights into the IRS’s expectations and operational approaches will be invaluable for businesses seeking to maximize these credits while mitigating compliance risks.

Before her distinguished career at the IRS, Paz spent eight years in private practice, advising corporations, fiduciaries, and high-net-worth individuals on complex tax, governance, and estate planning matters. This blend of private sector advisory and top-tier government regulatory experience positions her uniquely to bridge the gap between policy intent and practical application for taxpayers. She holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A., magna cum laude, from Allegheny College.

Paz herself expressed enthusiasm for her new role, acknowledging alliant’s reputation. “I’m so deeply excited to be at alliant, their reputation in the complex tax space is unparalleled and they are well respected, even within the IRS,” Paz commented. She further highlighted the firm’s relevance by recounting a recent interaction: “I was asked the other day what the IRS wanted businesses to do with Section 48. I told them, the IRS wanted businesses to work with companies like alliant. I meant it, and that was before I ever joined. I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”

For small and mid-sized businesses, the increasing specialization and complexity of tax law, exemplified by the nuances of Section 48, means that generic tax advice is often insufficient. The move of highly experienced regulators like Paz into advisory roles in the private sector reflects a growing need for deep, specialized expertise to interpret and apply these complex rules. Businesses, regardless of size, that are looking to invest in energy-efficient technologies, develop renewable energy projects, or simply navigate the broader implications of these evolving regulations, face significant challenges in ensuring they are both compliant and taking full advantage of available incentives. This is precisely the kind of intricate financial and regulatory landscape where C&S Finance Group LLC excels, offering tailored guidance in financial risk management to help clients understand potential exposures and opportunities related to complex tax credits and compliance. To explore how C&S Finance Group LLC can help your business navigate these evolving tax requirements, visit csfinancegroup.com.

The appointment of Holly Paz to alliant underscores a broader trend of top-tier regulatory expertise transitioning into the private sector. This shift is expected to further enhance the capabilities of advisory firms in assisting businesses with increasingly complex tax challenges, particularly as new legislation continues to shape the economic and tax landscape. Businesses will need to remain vigilant and proactive in seeking expert guidance to effectively manage their tax strategies in the years to come.