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About TRI

Tax Resolution Institute Executive Management Team

Peter Y. Stephan
Peter Y. Stephan, CPA
Founder and Executive Director of the Tax Resolution Institute

Peter Y. Stephan’s early research into the tax codes led him to specialize in IRS practices and procedures, in particular, the collections area, leading him to the tax resolution business. Peter Stephan built a firm with unique blend of skills in accounting, taxation, business consulting for small & middle-sized companies and individuals in diverse industries. In addition to his specialization in the domain of tax resolution, the firm also provides capital market expertise and other financial services such as business management and tax services for businesses, financial groups and trusts, closely held entities, high net worth individuals, and startups. Mr. Stephan is frequently retained by other CPAs and Attorneys to perform forensic accounting and litigation support, including expert witness services relating to various accounting, fraud and tax compliance matters. Mr. Stephan is approved by the State Bar of California, California Board of Accountancy and the Internal Revenue Service to provide continuing professional education to Attorneys, Certified Public Accountants and Enrolled Agents in the area of tax resolution. He has authored several tax resolution manuals to provide fellow professionals with a one of a kind guide to resolving all tax resolution issues, including The Ultimate Guide To Tax Resolution. As a expert tax resolution speaker, Mr. Stephan frequently appears on business and public service programs, radio, television, and print on a variety of accounting, tax and tax resolution topics. He is a graduate of Fordham University and is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Norman Kriesman
Norman J. Kreisman, Esq.
Senior Tax Attorney

An expert on Chapter 7, 11, and 13 Debtor and Creditor Representation while specializing in the discharging of Federal and State taxes, Norman J. Kreisman leads the team of tax attorneys at the Tax Resolution Institute. After receiving his BS at Arizona State University, Mr. Kreisman moved to Los Angeles and worked as a UCLA accredited paralegal before attending law school. While receiving his JD at Loyola Law School, Mr. Kreisman worked as a paralegal at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles. After graduating in 1991, Mr. Kreisman pioneered the use of computer-assisted litigation while working as a Contract Attorney at Christensen, White, Miller, Fink & Jacobs in Los Angeles. Developing a method of analyzing the dischargability of tax debts in potential bankruptcy cases, Mr. Kreisman became the lead Bankruptcy Attorney at the Tax Consulting Group in Los Angeles. He also created standardized Motions for Adversary Proceedings and Contested Matters, helping other lawyers at the firm to execute plans for their cases. Forming an independent practice, Mr. Kreisman represented both debtors and creditors. With a history of successful execution, Mr. Kreisman helps to identify and clarify legal issues for his clients. A seminar speaker on discharging taxes in bankruptcy, he has been admitted to practice before the U. S. tax court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. As the leader of the Tax Resolution Institute legal team, Mr. Kreisman is an invaluable resource, both for his ability to communicate effectively with clients and his extensive experience working with the IRS and state taxation agencies.
Jo-Barsa
Jo Barsa, CPA
Director of the Tax Resolution Institute’s San Diego Office

Jo Barsa provides outsourced accounting and bookkeeping and tax services to start up and small businesses. In addition, she specializes in tax resolution. Ms. Barsa has been recognized for her leadership by the San Diego Business Journal for the Women Who Mean Business (nominated in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009), Top 100 Woman Owned Businesses (ranked 34, 35, 36 and 37 respectively from 2005-2008), and was a finalist for the Most Admired CEO award in 2007. As a result of her 24 years experience as an accounting software value-added reseller, Ms. Barsa assists companies in evaluating their needs and selecting the appropriate financial software for their company. With years of experience as a CPA and business owner, Ms. Barsa focuses both on the present and future needs and goals of client organizations. Prior to launching her companies, she worked in the audit department of the San Diego office of Ernst & Young and she is a member of the Ernst & Young Alumni Association. A member of All-Cities Network and Vistage International, Ms. Barsa also is the treasurer of San Diego Business Resources. A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs, Ms. Barsa earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from San Diego State University in 1983.
Michael Barsa - CPA
Michael S. Barsa, CPA
Director of the Tax Resolution Institute’s New York Office

As a Chief Financial Officer and Controller, Michael Barsa has an extensive history of building and leading high performance finance organizations with hands on handling of all accounting functions. A member of the Board of Directors of Target Logistics, Inc. in Los Angeles, he helped with the company’s IPO in 1996. Mr. Barsa was the Vice President of Finance and Administration with The MDE Group, Inc. in New Jersey, an investment management and financial counseling firm that ranked fourth in the United States, managing over $1 billion in assets. Reducing annual external audit fees by 90%, Mr. Barsa became an expert in managing payroll taxes while performing all accounting functions. By instituting internal compliance procedures and streamlining corporate structure, he saved an additional $250k in yearly revenue. Starting in 2003, Mr. Barsa became the Chief Financial Officer of ROA Hutton, a Real Estate conglomeration involved in building, construction and management of real estate in New York, California and New Jersey. Overseeing all aspects of financial and administrative functions for the company and its affiliates, Mr. Barsa expanded his expertise in heading off payroll tax resolution issues by reorganizing the various operating companies and discontinuing the unprofitable ones. As a CPA and a Member of AICPA with an entrepreneurial perspective, Michael Barsa joined the Tax Resolution Institute as the Director of TRI’s New York office, employing his extensive experience to expand the business.
Matthew Cohen
Chief Strategy Officer

Matthew Cohen attended the University of California at San Diego where he graduated with a degree in Economics. Mr. Cohen came to the Tax Resolution Institute having managed a successful company for over 15 years.  By improving vendor contractual relationships and generating new development projects, he was able to consistently increase company sales year-over-year.  Mr. Cohen took the business into the 21st Century by implementing a vertical marketing campaign that took advantage of nascent online resources.  As a member of the All Cities Network and past President of the San Fernando Valley branch of Business Builders Mr. Cohen continues to use his networking skills as a valuable business tool.  His extensive knowledge in the areas of business logistics and development, IT infrastructure, and strategic planning bring a valuable asset to the Tax Resolution Institute.
Chuck Tabachnick - CPA
Chuck Tabachnick, CPA
Senior Tax Planning Partner

With a background in tax planning and estate management, Chuck Tabachnick is a CPA at the Tax Resolution Institute in Los Angeles. He attended Loyola University of Los Angeles, graduating with a degree in Accounting in 1974, one year before it became Loyola Marymount. After graduating, he went to work for in his family’s firm, founded in 1950, where he stayed until his father retired in 2007. Mr. Tabachnick met Peter Stephan via a networking group that they were both members of which lead him to join forces with SST CPAs Inc and the Tax Resolution Institute. A member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, Mr. Tabachnick has done extensive Estate Tax work in cooperation with Estate Planning and Trust Attorney partners. He brings over 30 years of tax expertise to his tax resolution work.