Houston – September 7, 2026 -- Alliant has hired Holly Paz, the former Commissioner of the IRS's Large Business & International (LB&I) Division, to co-lead its Section 48 and energy infrastructure tax practice, the consulting firm announced.
Paz oversaw IRS implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy tax credits
During her tenure at LB&I, Paz directed the agency's rollout of the IRA's investment and production tax credits, which offer businesses, non-profits and government entities up to 50% credit value on qualifying energy projects. The credit structure includes a transferability provision allowing companies to sell credits for cash and a direct-pay option letting tax-exempt entities receive funds directly from the federal government, contingent on meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.
Alliant says only 3 of 600 reviewed energy credit claims met Treasury and IRS standards
"To put Holly's expertise into perspective, we've reviewed over 600 energy credit claims under the new rules. Companies of all sizes, companies that were working with big 4 accounting firms, and government entities looking to claim these credits," said Chief Operating Officer Matt Noll. "Only 3 were passable by the standards established by Treasury and the IRS."
Alliant links Section 48 credits to financing the AI compute buildout
Global CEO Dhaval Jadav said the energy production credits are designed to power AI compute infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign fuel. Paz will help lead a team focused on identifying, substantiating and claiming credits tied to capital-intensive energy projects supporting that buildout.
Paz built her career over 15-plus years inside IRS leadership
Paz held senior LB&I posts including Deputy Director for Content Development, Director of Corporate Issues and Credits, and Director of the Pass-Through Entities Practice Area, before becoming Deputy Commissioner of LB&I in 2021 and Commissioner in 2023. She previously spent eight years practicing tax law advising corporations and high-net-worth individuals, and holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. from Allegheny College.
Mark Everson, alliant's Vice Chairman and a former IRS commissioner, and Danny Werfel, a member of alliant's strategic advisory board and former IRS commissioner, both joined in welcoming Paz to the firm's roster of former IRS leaders.