2027 Arizona Tax Guide - Print

Edward K. Zollars, CPA, Thomas, Zollars & Lynch, Ltd.

Edward K. Zollars, CPA, is in public practice in Phoenix, Arizona as a partner with the firm of Thomas, Zollars & Lynch, Ltd. He has been in practice for more than 35 years, specializing in tax issues for closely held businesses and individuals. Zollars has been professionally involved with both tax and technology issues, combining the two disciplines in producing the Current Federal Tax Development Update Podcast and website, dealing with current tax issues. He has been a member of AICPA Tax Division Committees focusing on tax and technology issues and was the Tax Section’s representative on three occasions to the AICPA’s Top Ten Technologies project. He is also a member of the Phoenix Tax Workshop’s Advisory Committee and currently serves on the Tax Legislation Liaison Committee for the Arizona Society of CPAs. Zollars was selected as a Life Member by the Arizona Society of CPAs in May, 2010. Along with writing, editing and presenting courses for Loscalzo Institute, Zollars has written articles published in Practical Tax Strategies and the Tax Adviser. He has been a frequent contributor to a number of professional tax discussion groups, and served as systems operator on the AICPA’s Accountants Forum in the mid-1990s. He has spoken regularly on tax and technology topics since 1996, speaking before conferences sponsored by the AICPA and a number of state societies of CPAs.

Jakob Ivar Klein, CPA, Wallace, Plese + Dreher, LLP

Jakob I. Klein, CPA is a Tax Manager with Wallace Plese + Dreher. He has nearly ten years of combined industry and public accounting experience. He provides tax and consulting services to individuals, partnerships, S corporations, and estates and trusts throughout Arizona. As part of the Firm’s estate and trust tax team, he consults with individuals and business owners about estate planning, estate administration, wealth transfer and gift planning, charitable giving and appropriate mechanisms. He actively participates with the Central Estate Planning Council and Valley Estate Planners. Jake earned his Bachelor of Science, Accountancy, from Northern Arizona University, and holds an Arizona certified public accountant license.

Patrick Derdenger, JD, Lewis Roca

Clients rely on Pat Derdenger for his deep knowledge of state and local tax issues that vitally impact business operations. Serving businesses across industry sectors, Pat understands how to evaluate complex transactions, applying the latest laws and regulations toward obtaining tax benefits and incentives, while reducing tax exposure.

In his extensive state and local tax practice, Pat advises businesses on corporate and individual income, multistate sales and use, and property tax matters, and counsels them on the state and local tax implications of their business transactions. He also represents clients in related litigation matters, from audits and appeals through various administrative states, as well as in federal and state courts and courts of appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court. He has obtained private tax rulings for clients on state and local tax issues and helped draft state tax legislation for clients and industry groups. Pat also advises businesses on the tax implications of various economic incentives and benefits of relocating to and operating in Arizona. In addition, he frequently represents construction industry and homebuilder clients on tax issues related to maintenance, repair, replacement, alteration (MRRA), and modification projects in Arizona.

Pat also counsels clients on federal income and employment tax matters, independent contractor/employee tax issues, responsible officer penalties, information return filing penalties, and federal and state excise taxes, and represents them in related litigation matters. Clients also turn to him for advice on constitutional issues, including the federal commerce clause, due process clause, and equal protection clause.

Frequently described as “the problem solver,” Pat goes far beyond the typical options to find the solution that helps his clients achieve the best possible results. With his open and friendly communication style, Pat views his relationships with his clients as a true partnership.

Pat enjoys road and mountain biking, golfing, USC football, and traveling. He has traveled to each of the seven continents but still has a long list of places he wants to visit.