Stephen LaGarde

Stephen LaGarde is a Principal in Ernst & Young LLP's National Tax Department in Washington, DC.12 He specializes in advising clients on U.S. federal tax aspects of compensation and benefits, including health and welfare plans, executive compensation, tax-favored retirement plans, equity-based compensation, and fringe benefits.12

LaGarde joined EY in 2019 after serving as an Attorney-Advisor in the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Benefits Tax Counsel, where he worked on various rulemaking projects, including those associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.2 Prior to his role at the Treasury, he spent 14 years in the national tax office of another Big 4 accounting firm, focusing on employee benefits, employment taxes, and executive compensation.1

In terms of education, LaGarde received a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest distinction from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of The Tax Lawyer.1 He has been a frequent writer and speaker on taxation matters and has served as an adjunct professor in Georgetown Law's LL.M. program.2

His LinkedIn profile confirms his current position as EY National Tax Compensation and Benefits Principal.3