alliantgroup Adds to Its Team of Advisors to Champion the Cause for U.S. Businesses and Job Creation

NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- alliantgroup, the nation's leading tax specialty services provider, adds another legislative insider and community leader to its team of experts with the addition of former U.S. Representative from New York, Rick Lazio. Lazio, who served four terms in Congress from 1993-2001, also brings a wealth of private sector business and financial experience to his role as Director for alliantgroup. Lazio most recently held Managing Director and Executive Vice President roles at JPMorgan Chase.

Lazio joins a strong team of Capitol Hill colleagues including Dean Zerbe, alliantgroup National Managing Director and former Tax Counsel to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee; Mark Everson, alliantgroup Vice Chairman and former IRS Commissioner; Jim Ramstad, alliantgroup Senior Advisor and former U.S. Congressman; and Kit Bond, alliantgroup Senior Advisor and former U.S. Senator who are all champions of government tax incentives critical to small and medium-sized U.S. businesses.

"Our mission is to keep jobs in this country and help businesses remain competitive," said Dhaval Jadav, alliantgroup founder and CEO.  "Having someone with Rick's background and passion for bringing back a strong economy will go a long way in helping us reach even more businesses, particularly in New York, that can benefit from claiming valuable tax credits."

Lazio, an advocate of sound economic policy, has long been a proponent of small businesses. While in Congress, he sponsored the Small Business Tax Fairness Act, a successful bill that passed in 2000. Lazio also helped draft and enact the first balanced budget in decades. By the time he left his elected position, the federal budget was in surplus, millions of jobs had been created, taxes had been cut, and millions of Americans had moved from welfare to work.

"I'm a firm believer in government incentives like the R&D tax credit that encourage economic growth and competitiveness – especially in the small and middle market business sector that drives our economy," said Lazio. "I have been extremely impressed in all my dealings with alliantgroup and have seen firsthand how they are able to help businesses capture funds and reinvest. I'm really looking forward to working with a firm with such a strong sense of mission."

Lazio's commitment to adding jobs in New York and strengthening the local economy is exemplified by having served on boards of numerous civic and philanthropic organizations in New York such as the Committee for Economic Development and the Association for a Better New York (ABNY). "Joining forces with alliantgroup, I have an ongoing, tangible opportunity to help keep and add jobs in this state and our country by educating businesses about valuable tax incentives," said Lazio. "The service alliantgroup provides is making a real difference for businesses."

Sonny Grover, alliantgroup Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President who is located in alliantgroup's New York City office, has already had the opportunity to work closely with the former Congressman. "Rick is so dedicated and he particularly understands the needs and challenges of New York businesses. With Rick's help, I'm excited to be able to reach even more business owners who may not be aware of available tax incentives like R&D credits, energy credits, and many other federal and state business incentives," according to Grover.

alliantgroup, LP is the nation's leading tax specialty services provider, working with CPA firms and their clients to ensure companies receive the full benefit of federal and state tax incentives and credits for activities such as R&D, exporting, hiring, and energy-efficient design -- aimed at creating jobs and spurring innovation in America. alliantgroup is based in Houston, Texas, with offices across the country including in New York, Chicago, Orange County, and Washington, DC.

SOURCE alliantgroup