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Tony Mastin, a leading authority on tax policy and state and local tax issues and the long-time former executive director of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, has joined the Tax and Family Wealth Group at McAfee & Taft, Oklahoma’s largest law firm.

Mastin will focus his practice on advising individuals and businesses of all sizes on planning matters involving state and local taxation (SALT), including sales and use taxes, gross production tax, ad valorem, multi-state taxation, SALT controversy work, and federal income taxation.  In addition, a portion of his practice will focus on the use of business incentives to facilitate economic development projects in the state.

“Not only is Tony Mastin the consummate professional, but he has a knowledge base in state and local taxation that is unparalleled in Oklahoma,” said Jennifer Callahan, a tax attorney and member of the firm’s board of directors.  “He’s also the state’s go-to expert on streamlined sales tax, having played key roles in the long-standing concerted effort by the private sector and local and state governments to develop and implement the national Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement.”

Mastin joins the firm following his retirement from the Oklahoma Tax Commission after 35 years of service, including 12 years in which he served as its executive director. Over the course of his career at the OTC, he also served as an attorney in the General Counsel’s office, deputy director of the Motor Vehicle Division, deputy director of the Business Tax Division, and director of the Tax Policy and Research Division. As executive director from 2007 – 2019, he was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the agency, serving as its legislative liaison, and assisting in the proposal, drafting, review and analysis of tax legislation.

“Because he’s been at the center of tax policy analysis and implementation for so long, Tony understands the legislative process and the impact of tax-related legislation and regulations on businesses like no one else,” said Callahan.

“Over the years, our lawyers have been impressed with Tony’s expertise and thoughtful input on a multitude of complex tax issues affecting businesses in Oklahoma,” said managing director Michael Lauderdale.  “We’re very pleased he’s chosen to transition to private practice after a long and successful career with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and that he’s chosen to bring his unique talents, expertise and resources to us for the benefit of both our clients and our attorneys.”

Mastin holds a bachelor’s degree from Central State University and is a 1986 graduate of the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

McAfee & Taft is one of the nation’s 250 largest law firms as ranked by the National Law Journal, and the prestigious Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has perennially awarded McAfee & Taft its highest ranking in the area of corporate and commercial law, including tax, in Oklahoma.