Christopher R. Cicalese, CPA, MSTFP

Implementing tax strategies for professional athletes, family entertainment centers and amusement businesses.

An Associate Partner at the firm, Chris began his accounting career at Alloy Silverstein in 2007. Since then, he has developed a specialty in providing a wide range of accounting, tax planning, and consulting services to professional athletes and PGA Tour professionals, especially regarding international taxation issues. In addition to his niche with athletes, Chris enjoys working with family entertainment centers and other businesses in the amusement and hospitality industry. He also works with traditional businesses such as professional services, real estate, construction, physicians, and medical offices. Chris has represented and testified on behalf of clients before the Philadelphia Tax Review Board. He is actively involved in the firm’s litigation support and business valuation practice areas and attended the NJCPA 2019 Business Valuation and Litigation Services Conference.

Chris is an active member of International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and the New Jersey Attractions Association (NJAA), where he also serves on the Golf Committee.

As Chair of the firm’s internal Technology Committee, Chris continuously researches and evaluates emerging software, applications, and accounting technologies. He proactively introduces new tools, trends, and best practices to the team, ensuring Alloy Silverstein stays ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving accounting landscape. Chris helps both colleagues and clients adapt seamlessly to cloud-based platforms and modern business process outsourcing services.

After graduating from Rutgers University-Camden in 2011, Chris achieved his Masters in Taxation and Financial Planning from Widener University in 2012. For his notable contributions to the accounting profession and local community, Chris was recognized as a “30 Under 30” by the New Jersey Society of CPAs in 2015 and a “20 Under 40” by South Jersey Biz in 2019.

Getting to Know Chris

Chris, a resident of Medford, NJ, is a big Philadelphia sports fan, especially cheering on the Philadelphia Flyers. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy, their son, Greyson, and their rescue dogs. Chris looks forward to trips to the Jersey Shore boardwalks and arcades to play crane games, leading to his specialization of the amusement industry.

Honors & Achievements

• 20 Under 40 by South Jersey Biz, May 2019
• 30 Under 30 by NJCPA, July 2015
• @AthleteCPA named a 2019,  2018, 2017, and 2016 Top 100 Must-Follow Tax Twitter Feed by Forbes’ Kelly Phillips Erb (@taxgirl)

Community Involvement

• Animal Welfare Association
• Community Funding Reviewer, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
• CPA Career Awareness presenter for NJCPA, speaking to South Jersey high school students about the public accounting profession
• New Jersey DECA Judge

Insight Contributions and Publications

• “Why athletes (and some remote workers) owe a ‘jock tax’ wherever they go → The Hustle
• If possible, hold off on filing tax returns if you collected unemployment in 2020 → New Jersey 101.5
• Handling Competition: Is it Time to be Innovative? → New Jersey CPA Magazine
• What Happens If You Don’t File Taxes? → CentSai.com
• Leveraging Software for Sales Tax Compliance → New Jersey CPA Magazine
• Sales tax filing hits snag, with business owners uncertain over COVID-19 → NJBIZ
• 9 things new parents need to know before filing their taxes in 2020 → CNBC
• It’s not too late to get 100% depreciation on Dec. construction equipment purchases—but should you?→ Equipment World Magazine
• The Taxation of Legal Settlements→
• How much income tax would I have to pay on a class action lawsuit settlement involving my late husband’s estate?→ PICPA Ask A CPA
• Can I file a W-9 form now if I sent my Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services months ago, but have not yet received a new card?→ PICPA Ask A CPA
• Would my brother-in-law who has not lived in the United States for 25 years be eligible for Social Security if he owes back taxes with a tax judgment pending against him?→  PICPA Ask A CPA
• 2018 New Jersey Sports Wagering Statistics → 
• Does a U.S.-based independent contractor have to file taxes if he or she received income from a U.K. company?→  PICPA Ask A CPA
• Understanding Section 199A → New Jersey CPA Magazine
• Can 529 funds be used for instrument purchases or repairs if they are required for classes at a conservatory? → PICPA Ask A CPA
• Will gross sales from my eBay business disqualify me from collecting Social Security? → PICPA Ask A CPA
• Would a lottery winner have to claim the after-tax winnings as income on their tax returns? → PICPA Ask A CPA
• Are You Taking Advantage of NJ’s Property Tax Relief Programs? → 
• U.S. Income Taxation of Foreign Individuals → Pennsylvania CPA Journal
• Comforting Clients Through New Jersey Sales Tax Audits → New Jersey CPA Magazine
• Meals, Entertainment, and Commuting Changes Under Tax Reform [Infographic] →
• Managing Millennials and Baby Boomers in Today’s Workforce →  New Jersey CPA Magazine
• Q&A on Taxes and Finances for Professional Athletes on Frugal Athlete →
• The Tax Man Collects From Everyone, Even The Jocks →
• Reverse Sales Tax Audits →  New Jersey CPA Magazine
• The Tax Implications of Disaster → New Jersey CPA Magazine