Rettig, a Pepperdine Law alumnus and former IRS commissioner John Koskinen’s successor.
He previously practiced law at Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez of Beverly Hills for 36 years, representing high net-worth individuals, businesses and corporations in civil examinations, appeals and criminal investigations.
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Early Life and Education
President Donald Trump announced on Monday his nomination of former Pepperdine Law alumnus David Kautter as acting IRS commissioner, subject to Senate confirmation. Kautter currently holds the position.
Rettig was a partner at Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez in Beverly Hills for 36 years as a name partner, where he represented high net-worth individuals, business and corporate taxpayers, estates of celebrities before the IRS and state taxing authorities. Additionally, Rettig serves on the Board of Advisors for NYU School of Law Graduate Tax Program as well as holding numerous leadership roles within various professional organizations.
At his confirmation hearing in June, Rettig was asked about whether he would resist political pressure to release President Trump’s tax returns. In response, he pledged that as IRS director he would serve in an impartial, objective way.
Professional Career
Charles Rettig is making history as the first tax attorney ever appointed to lead the IRS and one of the toughest jobs in federal government. Rettig was recently confirmed by the Senate for an 8 year term ending November 2022.
He spent 36 years at Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez of Beverly Hills where he became a partner. There he represented high net-worth individuals and business owners in tax disputes with the IRS, Justice Department Tax Division, state taxing authorities or others.
Rettig joined Chamberlain Hrdlicka as a shareholder and member of their Tax Controversy & Litigation Practice in 2024, drawing upon his extensive IRS leadership experience to inform his settlement and litigation strategies for clients.
Achievement and Honors
Pepperdine Law alumni Charles Rettig has long been recognized for his exceptional achievements in taxation. He has received professional awards from organizations nationwide and participated in hundreds of tax conferences worldwide as a speaker or panel member. Rettig has contributed his expertise as a contributing author for numerous publications. Beyond professional achievements, Rettig is widely acknowledged for leading civic and philanthropic activities in his community. His many activities include being the founder and chairperson of UCLA Extension VETS COUNT Scholarship Fund as well as active with Wounded Warrior Project and Advance Guard. Though registered Republican, he supports candidates of both parties. As principal of Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez firm as well as past chairman of California FTB Advisory Board; tax law specialist certified by State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization.
Personal Life
Charles Rettig has earned many professional honors during his distinguished career, participating and speaking at tax conferences across the U.S. as well as authoring articles related to tax topics. A member of multiple professional organizations he held leadership roles within them such as American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation and California Franchise Tax Board.
Rettig spent over 36 years as a partner at Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez of Beverly Hills representing high net-worth individuals and business taxpayers before the IRS, Department of Justice taxing authorities, federal courts nationwide as a member of their tax litigation practice. Now he will bring this expertise to Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Tax Controversy & Litigation practice as a Shareholder.
His wife Tam and he have four children together and reside longterm in Honolulu where they own oceanfront property.
Net Worth
Rettig has provided representation for hundreds of high net worth individuals and businesses facing tax disputes, particularly aggressive IRS “wealth squad” audits. He has successfully defended taxpayers against allegations of filing false returns or making fraudulent claims.
Rettig is a Shareholder in Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s Tax Controversy & Litigation practice, representing mid-sized companies, high net worth individuals and family offices in tax controversies and litigation matters. He draws upon his previous IRS experience to advise his settlement and litigation strategies for clients.
Rettig’s nomination as commissioner in 2018 did not disclose that he held stakes in two rental units at a Trump-branded property, earning at least one million since purchasing them in 2006. Such conflicts of interest could prove political irresponsible if forced to release President Donald Trump’s tax returns.