Crystal Christenson, CPA, MST
Partner
As a tax partner, Crystal Christenson offers Wipfli’s clients more than 30 years of expertise. She currently serves as chairperson of the firm’s construction and real estate tax practice, designated firmwide leader for both partnership tax issues and the TCJA, and top-line member of the firm’s National Tax Office. She was previously a co director of the firm’s tax practice. Crystal is dedicated to providing proactive services to the firm’s clients, with emphasis on the development of innovative tax strategies and technical assistance with complex transactions. Her client base consists entirely of businesses and individuals involved in the construction and/or real estate development industry at both the local and national levels.
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant
- Master of Taxation
- Graduate Certificate in State and Local Tax
Awards
- Elijah Watt Sells Award - Honor given to the top 0.2% of those sitting for the national CPA examination for scores of extraordinary merit
- Meldman Award - Top graduate in the master of taxation program
Professional Organizations and Activities
- UW-Milwaukee Master of Taxation Program - Past instructor for the Partnership, S Corporation, and LLC Tax course and the Tax and Business Strategies course
- UW-Milwaukee Accounting program - Past instructor for Business Tax course
- Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women (WCREW) - Past board member and treasurer
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) - Member
- Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) - Member
- Author of tax-related articles for local, national, and academic publications
- Frequent trainer and speaker on numerous tax-related topics for both internal and external audiences
Areas of Focus
- Business formation and capitalization
- Choice-of-entity issues and accounting methods
- Business mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and other changes in ownership
- Tax planning for business sales and liquidations
- Cancellation and restructuring of debt
- Tax-deferred exchanges
- Real estate-related tax credits and incentives
- IRS and WDR audit and appeals assistance
- Owner and key employee tax issues, including equity compensation
Education
St. Norbert College - De Pere, Wisconsin- Bachelor of business administration degree in accounting - Graduated magna cum laude
- Master of taxation degree
- Graduate certificate in state and local tax
Recent Insights
Articles
How the Inflation Reduction Act expands the tax deduction for energy-efficient buildings
Aug 11, 2022
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund: A $29 billion grant program for struggling food and beverage businesses
Apr 29, 2021
IRS requirements for electronic delivery of partnership Schedule K-1s
Feb 18, 2021
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extends sec. 45L through 2021
Feb 01, 2021
Landlord tax issues during COVID-19: Lease modifications and terminations
May 20, 2020
Landlord tax issues during COVID-19: Late or unpaid rents
May 19, 2020
The “retail glitch” is finally fixed — and it applies to non-retail commercial properties too
Apr 28, 2020
A breakdown of Congress’ $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package
Mar 27, 2020
Significant change to Sec. 1031 alters like-kind exchange transactions
Mar 19, 2020
Sec. 179D and Sec. 45L retroactively extended for taxpayers
Mar 17, 2020
IRS defers some 2019 partnership return disclosures
Mar 16, 2020
IRS Is Coming After Partnerships and LLCs
Dec 03, 2019
Electing out of the new centralized partnership audit rules
Jan 30, 2019
Draft Instructions for 2018 Form 1040 Released by IRS
Nov 01, 2018
Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave
Oct 30, 2018
First Guidance on New Opportunity Zones Issued
Oct 29, 2018
Expected Timing of Additional TCJA Guidance
Oct 17, 2018
Time Running out for Certain Taxpayers to Elect out of 100 Percent Bonus Depreciation
Oct 17, 2018
IRS Issues Guidance on Section 199A: The 20 Percent Passthrough Deduction
Aug 28, 2018
Bonus Depreciation Expanded
Aug 23, 2018
Thirty-Percent Limitation on Business Interest Expense – The General Rules
Aug 07, 2018
Tax Reform 2.0 – An Update
Jul 18, 2018
Curious About What the New Form W-4 Might Look Like for 2019?
Jul 17, 2018
Long-Promised “Postcard 1040” Makes Tentative Appearance
Jul 16, 2018
A Final Farewell to the Sec. 199 Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD)
Jul 12, 2018
Basis Adjustments for Charitable Contributions and Foreign Taxes
Jun 26, 2018
What About the Children? The Impact of TCJA on Kiddie Tax
Jun 13, 2018
Wait … What? I Can’t Carryback My NOL and I Can’t Use My NOL Carryforward to Eliminate All My Income?
May 30, 2018
Fiscal Year Corporations Need to Do More Math to Calculate Both Their Regular and AMT Tax Liabilities
May 01, 2018
I Created That!! Self-Created Intangibles No Longer Qualify for Favorable Capital Gains Tax Rates
Apr 26, 2018
It's Going to Be a Busy Summer at the IRS
Apr 23, 2018
Update: Is Your Business in the Zone?
Apr 19, 2018
You Are Not the Only One With Questions in Search of Answers
Apr 17, 2018
Makes You Wonder Whether Congress Just Doesn’t Like College Sports
Apr 16, 2018
Sneak Peek at the IRS’s Thoughts on the Application of the 30% Business Interest Limitation
Apr 12, 2018
Attention Farmers, Partnerships and Developers of and Investors in Low-Income Housing Projects!
Apr 05, 2018
Is Your Business in the Zone?
Apr 02, 2018
Tax Extenders
Mar 30, 2018
Will you need to reorganize your operations to maximize Section 199A flow-through deduction?
Mar 29, 2018
What’s the word on technical corrections?
Mar 27, 2018
Tax Reform Impacting Construction and Real Estate Companies
Dec 28, 2017
