ABOUT US

Our Objective

The Atlanta Tax Forum, Inc. was founded with the objective of furthering the education of our membership in all areas of federal and state taxation and to further the association of practicing attorneys and certified public accountants in the practice of taxation. It is the oldest organization in the Atlanta Metropolitan area devoted exclusively to the education of tax practitioners.

Members meet six times a year during fall and spring in an environment that allows the practitioner not only to further his knowledge of tax related matters, but also gives him the opportunity to socialize with other tax practitioners. Each meeting is held at the offices of one of the major law firms which provide the opportunity for the participants to socialize both prior to and after the featured speaker.

Programs last for one hour with a "cocktail" session before and after the presentation.

Our History

The first meeting of the Atlanta Tax Forum, Inc. was held on September 17, 1976 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta. The forum was organized through a series of meetings, primarily as a result of efforts undertaken by Oliver C. “Tuffy” Murray, Jr. (Ernst & Ernst). In September 1976, Tuffy Murray moved to Atlanta from Miami, Florida and noted that a metropolitan Atlanta organization to foster technical tax training to prominent tax lawyers and accountants did not exist in the Atlanta area. He began a series of meetings with various leaders of the Tax Sections of the Big Eight accounting firms, several other large CPA firms, a few smaller firms, and several law firms with reputations for outstanding tax practices.

The meetings culminated with a luncheon attended by William R. (Pat) Patterson (Sutherland, Asbill & Brenan) who, along with Tuffy, enlisted the aid of Lee Henkel, Esq., and Brian Godwin, C.P.A. (Peat, Marwick & Mitchell). The initial organizers also included William L. Kinser (Powell, Goldstein, Frazier & Murphy), Michael J. Quinn, Jr. C.P.A. (Peat, Marwick & Mitchell), and Orville N. Smith (Arthur Anderson & Co.).

Our Mission

1. High quality technical presentations supported by detailed outlines.
2. Significant social interaction amongst practitioners in the area of tax practice.
3. Qualification for “continuing professional education credit”.
4. A minimum of six (6) programs per year.
5. Suggested attendance at 50% or more of the meetings.
6. Board of Trustees rotating on an annual basis.