Meet the Anchin R&D Tax Credits Team: Yair Holtzman

As the Research & Development (“R&D”) Tax Credits Group Practice Leader, I am responsible for the leadership, strategic focus and business performance of the group. In this role, I oversee the R&D group’s growth, vision, diversification and development.

I spearheaded the establishment of the R&D tax credits group at Anchin, Block & Anchin when I joined the Firm in 2012. I am an R&D, chemicals and life sciences specialist leading client engagements within numerous industries including: life sciences, chemical manufacturing, engineering, architecture, construction, technology, food & beverage and many others.

Prior to joining Anchin, I worked at Big 4 firms leading R&D engagements at Fortune 1000 companies, experiences that exposed me to unique and innovative companies. My most challenging and enjoyable project involved calculating the R&D tax credit for a large pharmaceutical manufacturer. It was especially rewarding because I was able to talk science with the senior scientists at the client ensuring that the research credit was being maximized, and deliver an audit defense ready deliverable. In addition, it was rewarding to see a company that was working on cures for cancer receive large tax credits. Later, when working with the IRS on the audit defense of these credits, the IRS shared with me that it was refreshing to talk to an individual that could marry up the tax and the science.

I am a certified public accountant with an MBA (concentrations in Operations Management and Manufacturing) from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. Prior to that, I received a B.A. in Chemistry with High Honors from Brandeis University, and completed graduate work in Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. I also have an M.A. in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation with High Distinction from Hofstra University.

Given my significant required travel for Anchin, I have been fortunate to meet some incredibly bright and brilliant people all over the country. There are countless smart people undertaking many innovative things across the US, and that makes my job so much fun. In my down-time, I like to travel the globe with my family.  When the adventures stop, I enjoy relaxing at home with my wife and kids,  -whether that means  optimizing my son’s Pokémon collection or teaching my  children  my  favorite sport, tennis.

What I want you to know: 
Two things: First, a common misconception of the R&D credit involves the belief that a business needs to be developing cutting-edge, never-before-seen products in order to qualify. In fact, the R&D tax credit may be available for companies undertaking evolutionary improvements to their products and processes.  Second, the Anchin R&D tax credits team places a great deal of emphasis on industry specific knowledge. With my background in Chemistry, I very often simultaneously engage the client’s senior tax personnel and scientific leadership.

The R&D group at Anchin has been able to differentiate itself with a very strong industry focus. Anchin R&D works with a wide range of clients that vary in size from start-ups up to multi-Billion dollar corporations, and works to provide each and every one a uniquely tailored and value-add consulting experience.