Tax season is again upon us – as evidenced by the instruction booklet I received in the mail earlier this month – which brings up some potentially complicated issues for consumer bankruptcy attorneys.  Some of these issues were discussed in two relatively recent articles by John O’Connor on this site,  “Be Careful With Tax Refunds in Bankruptcy” and “What happens to property I acquire after filing for bankruptcy?”

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (which covers Detroit, Bay City, and Flint) is encouraging bankruptcy attorneys to enhance their understanding of bankruptcy related tax issues.  Through its website, the Eastern District is providing Detroit bankruptcy attorneys with registration information for a January 28, 2010 “Dinner Meeting.”  Topics to be discussed at this meeting include an update regarding “IRS vs. Chapter 13 Trustees,” issues pertaining to tax refunds subject to garnishment, automatic stay issues, the novation theory, avoiding liens, and more.  The Eastern District’s announcement can be found here.

This seminar is just one of many ways that bankruptcy attorneys can enhance their understanding of bankruptcy related tax issues.  However, the fact that the Eastern District of Michigan chose to promote this seminar in particular is interesting, as it may reflect a general sense that such issues are not adequately understood by Detroit bankruptcy attorneys as a whole. If you are considering bankruptcy, it is important to find a bankruptcy attorney in your area who has an understanding of these issues.

-Drew Broaddus