Atty. Vanessa C. Kaczmarek
Vanessa’s practice is focused on tax, estate planning, closely-held business matters, and non-profit law. Vanessa represents taxpayers in federal and state audits and appeals, presenting the client’s position to achieve a favorable outcome.
Profile Summary
About Vanessa C. Kaczmarek at a glance
Vanessa C. Kaczmarek is a tax attorney based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, practicing at Modrall Sperling. Admitted to practice in United States, U.S. Tax Court, New Mexico, New Mexico, and New York, New York. Educated at New York University (LLM, 2011) and Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 2009). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Albuquerque) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Santa Fe, NM and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Vanessa’s practice is focused on tax, estate planning, closely-held business matters, and non-profit law
- Vanessa represents taxpayers in federal and state audits and appeals, presenting the client’s position to achieve a favorable outcome
- Her expertise covers the full range of tax issues businesses face, including reporting requirements, tax treatment of fringe benefits, worker classification, and compliance with Section 409A
- Vanessa also prepares voluntary disclosures for individuals with unreported foreign accounts
- In her estate planning practice, Vanessa knows there is no one-size-fits-all estate plan
- She listens closely and tailors each plan to meet her client’s needs—whether it’s a simple will or trust or a more complex strategy incorporating a special needs trust, irrevocable life insurance trust, or intentionally defective grantor trust
- Vanessa also works with clients to probate estates or administer trusts after the death of a loved one, making the process less burdensome during a difficult time
- Vanessa also provides a variety of services for closely-held companies and family businesses
- In addition to preparing the basic formation and governing documents, she advises clients on which entity form they should choose and how to structure ownership and control to achieve their specific goals
- Vanessa enjoys designing succession plans for closely-held companies and finds ways to address the needs of both the business and individual family members as ownership and control are transferred to the next generation
- She also counsels clients on stock incentive plans featuring incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, and stock appreciation rights
- For her nonprofit clients, Vanessa helps various charitable and educational organizations navigate the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code
- When an organization is just getting started, she prepares formation documents and the application for tax-exemption
- Vanessa advises on the appropriate tax-exempt classification and whether certain activities might jeopardize tax-exempt status or generate unrelated business taxable income
- If an organization’s tax-exempt status has been revoked, Vanessa can help get the entity back into compliance and seek reinstatement
- Vanessa currently serves as Chair of the firm's Tax, Probate, and Small/Family Business Group
Practice Areas Explained
Vanessa C. Kaczmarek's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Vanessa C. Kaczmarek handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
Vanessa C. Kaczmarek is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in New Mexico →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in New Mexico
Practicing law in New Mexico. Legal matters in New Mexico are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Santa Fe are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New Mexico state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New Mexico brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New Mexico courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional New Mexico attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Santa Fe or all attorneys in New Mexico.
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