Steven Kaplan is a Senior Manager and a member of the Tax Transactions Team within the Capital Markets-Tax Group at Deloitte & Touche in New York.  Steven advises clients on transactions involving a variety of financial products, derivatives, structured finance products and tax efficient trading and investing strategies.  Steven has been a speaker at several industry seminars covering various topics including the Taxation of Financial Products, Equity Monetization and Hedging, Financial Products for Individuals, Tax Treatment of Credit Derivative Transactions, and the Taxation of Mortgage-Backed Derivatives.  Steven is the author of many articles including CAT Bonds: Tax Treatment of an Innovative Financial Product, Journal of Taxation of Financial Institutions (March/April 2003), Rev. Rul. 2003-7: Variable Prepaid Forward Transaction Does Not Result in a Sale, WG&L’s Derivatives Report (March 2003), Impact of Circular 230 on Tax Shelter Opinions, RIA’s Derivatives Report (March 2001), New Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations are Comprehensive, RIA’s Derivatives Report (April 2000), The Tax Treatment of Credit Derivative Transactions, BNA’s Financial Products Report (September 4, 1998). Mr. Kaplan received a BS degree in accounting from Boston University and a Masters in Taxation degree from Baruch College.  He is the Vice Chairman of the Taxation of Financial Institutions and Products Committee of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (“NYSSCPA”) and has been appointed to be Chairman effective June 1, 2004.  He is also a member of the Federal Tax Committee of the Wall Street Tax Association and a member of the Tax Division of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.