Our Spotlight series highlights the careers and lives of tax professionals around the world. This week’s Spotlight is on Sahel Assar, the leader of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney’s blockchain and digital asset practice group.
Assar, an international tax lawyer, has represented families and entrepreneurs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with US connections. She also has advised ultra-high-net-worth clients and their closely held business interests and real property holdings on matters of cross-border tax planning, trusts, and estates for families of substantial wealth, and compliance with US tax reporting requirements.
In her spare time, Assar enjoys tennis, skiing—alpine and water—horseback riding, reading, the arts, and culinary endeavors. She enjoys vacationing in the south of France or in the Tuscany region of Italy. Capri, she says, is one of her favorite places in the world.
What’s your official title and what does it mean? Tax counsel and blockchain and digital assets practice group leader. As counsel in the firm’s tax section, I leverage my 20-plus years of international tax experience to advocate for my clients’ needs. In my role as practice group leader, I’m responsible for building and strengthening our group. I work with our internal team of lawyers and professional staff to expand the group’s opportunities and monitor and assess the legal needs of clients with respect to all things blockchain, crypto, and digital assets.
Free time: book, audiobook, or podcast? Book, but I also enjoy a podcast when I’m walking.
Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest? International tax with a special interest in international compliance and taxation of cryptocurrencies.
What’s the last movie or show that you watched and loved (DVD, Netflix, or in the theater)? “The Diplomat.” The show reminds me of my father and a field I would have followed if I hadn’t studied law.
What college did you attend and what did you study? I attended the University of Maryland in College Park and studied political science and international relations. I received a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law, and two LL.M.s from the Georgetown University Law Center in taxation and securities and financial regulations.
Go-to pick-me-up: Coffee or tea? Definitely coffee, but sometimes tea.
What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you? Learn the concept of compound interest and apply it gleefully, daily.
If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be? I have many interests, but I would have enjoyed journalism, international relations, or authorship, in general.
If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax world—an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever—what would it be? I would ensure that a non-US spouse would be able to obtain the same credit and benefits as a US spouse.
Favorite food, snack, or candy during tax season or other busy time? Chocolate chip mint ice cream, popcorn, and anything with dark chocolate.
What tax news or move made the most impact on your practice or clients this past year? Tax and reporting developments relating to digital assets has been fascinating to follow.
If you received a big tax refund check right now, what would you do with it? I would donate to one of my favorite charities, including UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders.
You can find out more about Assar on Linkedin.
You can learn more about Assar’s work at her law firm, Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, on its website.
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