Overview
Amanda Varma advises multinational businesses, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals on US federal income tax matters, with particular focus on international tax planning and controversies. She counsels both US- and foreign-owned businesses across a variety of industries, regularly advising on the US tax consequences of cross-border investments, reorganizations, business restructurings, acquisitions, and financings.
In addition to advising clients on international tax planning, Amanda represents clients in IRS examinations, appeals, and trial and appellate court litigation. She regularly advises clients on special issues arising in international tax controversies, including competent authority and information exchange issues.
Amanda is an Adjunct Professor of Law in the Graduate Tax Program at the Georgetown University Law Center, where she teaches US International Inbound Tax, a course focusing on the US taxation of foreign persons investing in the United States.
Amanda is the chair of Steptoe's Women's Forum, which is devoted to connecting, developing, and supporting Steptoe's women professionals.
- District of Columbia
- California
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Tax Court
- J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 2007, magna cum laude; Executive Editor, Michigan Law Review
- B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2004, with high distinction; Phi Beta Kappa
Areas of Work
Speaking Engagements
- "Final and Proposed Regulations: Repeal of Section 958(b)(4)," IFA USA Webinar, October 8, 2020
- "US Activities of Foreigners & Tax Treaties," ABA Tax Section 2020 Fall Meeting, October 2, 2020
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"Nonresident Alien and Foreign Business Tax Compliance: Critical Tax Presence and Residency Issues," Strafford Webinar, July 16, 2020
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Moderator, "Cross-Border Individual Matters," GW/IRS Annual Institute on Current Issues in International Taxation, December 19, 2019
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"Impact of 2017 Tax Act on Cross-Border Acquisitions and Divestitures," PLI's Tax Strategies for Corporate Acquisitions, Dispositions, Spin-Offs, Joint Ventures, Financings, Reorganizations & Restructurings 2019, December, 5, 2019
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"New International Reporting & Compliance Requirements, Post-TCJA," Tax Executive Institute Annual Conference, October 29, 2019
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"Recent IRS Guidance re BEAT, FDII, GILTI, Captive Services: Technical Update," NABE Transfer Pricing Symposium, July 16, 2019
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"What Every Foreign Investor Should Know? The Changing Landscape of US Inbound Investment," IFA USA Atlanta Region Spring Seminar, June 14, 2019
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Moderator, "Presumed GILTI?," FBA Insurance Tax Seminar, May 30, 2019
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Moderator, "What's My Purpose: The Practical Implications of the Principal Purpose Test," ABA Section of Taxation 2019 May Tax Meeting, May 11, 2019
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"Discretionary Treaty Benefits," ABA Section of Taxation 2019 May Tax Meeting, May 10, 2019
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"The FDII and GILTI Deduction Proposed Regulations," DC Bar Taxation Community International Tax Series, March 26, 2019
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"Cross-Border Individual Matters," GW/IRS Annual Institute on Current Issues in International Taxation, Washington, DC, December 13, 2018
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"Tax Reform Guidance Update," Tax Executive Institute Virginia Chapter December Meeting, December 4, 2018
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"The New Paradigm II - The Foreign Tax Credit," Tax Executive Institute Annual Conference, October 29, 2018
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Moderator, "BEAT - Not for the Faint of Heart," ABA Tax Section 2018 Fall Meeting, October 5, 2018
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"Cross Border Individual Matters," GW/IRS Tax Institute, November 30, 2017
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"Managing Tax-Related Whistleblowers, Leaks and Derivative Suites," American Bar Association, October 27, 2017
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"Outbound Guidance: News of Its Death? Exaggerated," American Bar Association, September 15, 2017
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"Section 367 Current Developments," DC Bar, February 28, 2017
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"Inbound Developments," GW/IRS 29th Annual Institute on Current Issues in International Taxation, December 16, 2016
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"Information Sharing: Rules, Practices, and the Role of the Taxpayer," American Bar Association, October 28, 2016
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"Current Tax Legislation Considerations from View of Government Affair Representatives," Federal Bar Association 28th Annual Insurance Tax Seminar, June 2, 2016
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"International Tax Series: Recent Guidance on Partnerships and Subpart F," DC Bar, October 29, 2015
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"Current Federal Income Tax Developments, Including Those Affecting Financial Products," Institute of International Bankers, June 16, 2015
News & Publications
Press Releases
Amanda Varma Elected DC President of Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
December 30, 2020
Client Alerts
Treasury and IRS Finalize Targeted Guidance Addressing Section 958(b)(4) Repeal
September 22, 2020
Publications
Final FDII Rules Reduce Burden, Delay Applicability: Tax Insight
Bloomberg Government
August 3, 2020
Media Mentions
Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law Features Amanda Varma in Member Spotlight
July 31, 2020
Publications
Exchange of Information: Issues, Use and Collaboration
International Fiscal Association Branch Report
July 20, 2020
Publications
Subpart F Sales Income and the Branch Rule: The IRS Prevails in Whirlpool
Bloomberg Tax’s Tax Management International Journal
June 2020
Events
Webinars
November 10, 2016
Speakers: Jason Abel, James D. Barnette, Leslie A. Belcher, Elizabeth Hurley Burks, Christopher Caron, David H. Coburn, John T. Collins, Richard O. Cunningham, Ambassador Susan G. Esserman, Luis G. Fortuño, Micah S. Green, N. Hunter Johnston, Douglas Kantor, Darryl Nirenberg, Allison Nyholm, Scott A. Sinder, Amanda Pedvin Varma
Noteworthy
- Washingtonian magazine, "Top Lawyers," Tax (2020)
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Legal 500 US, Tax: International Tax (2013-2015, 2017-2019)
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Legal 500 US, Tax: US Taxes, non-contentious (2018)
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Legal 500 US, Tax: Tax Controversy (2014-2015)
Professional Affiliations
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center (2018-present)
- Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2020)
- Vice President, Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law (2020)