Stephen Bonfa

Stephen A. Bonfa is a seasoned attorney with a strong focus on tax law, estate planning, and elder law. A native New Yorker and lifelong Brooklyn resident, Stephen brings a dynamic and practical approach to helping clients protect their assets, resolve tax matters, and preserve their legacies.

Stephen began his career in public service, having held key legal positions across several New York City government agencies. He has served as an Assistant District Attorney, an Administrative Law Judge, a Police Department Attorney, and a Managing Attorney for the Department of Buildings. These roles have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of both the legal system and the administrative framework that shapes it.

Today, Stephen’s practice is centered on estate planning, Medicaid and elder law planning, individual and business tax matters, and both federal and local tax controversy resolution. He is admitted to practice in New York State, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and the United States Tax Court. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, underscoring his advanced expertise in this complex area of law.

Stephen is widely recognized for his educational outreach. He is a frequent lecturer and has delivered continuing legal education (CLE) programs and public seminars to thousands of attorneys and community members. His topics include estate and trust planning, probate, tax strategies, real estate taxation, business formation, Medicaid asset protection, and fraud prevention.

As the first professional in his family, Stephen built his practice with a deep commitment to helping others navigate and overcome financial and legal challenges. Whether assisting families with wealth preservation or advising businesses on strategic planning, his goal remains the same: to safeguard what matters most.

Areas of Practice:

• Estate Planning
• Inheritance Tax Planning
• Medicaid Planning
• Elder Law
• Surrogate Court Practice
• Federal and State Tax Resolution
• Individual and Business Tax planning
• Property Tax Exemption & Credit filings

Education

Fordham University, BA: History 1994

New York Law School: JD 1998; LLM (Master of Laws in Taxation) 2008

Bar Admissions

• New York State, 2^nd Judicial Department
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Souther District of New York
• United States Tax Court

Publications 

Disinheriting the IRS: Tips & Tactics to Stop Uncle Sam from Taking Your Legacy

CANADA

# 1 Best Seller in Taxes

# 1 Best Seller Personal Tax 

# 1 Best Seller Retirement 

 Planning

# 1 Best Seller Tax Accounting 

#2 Accounting

USA

# 1 Best Seller Personal Taxes

#3 Retirement Planning

#3 Wealth Management

Semi-Monthly Newsletters on various legal topics most recently: 

• FINCEN BOI Reporting Requirements
• Deducting Pets
• Medicaid vs Medicare
• IRS Collections
• Best Business Practices
• Probate v Non-Probate Assets

Lecturer & Continuing Legal Education Presenter:

Lawline, CelEsq, MyLawCLE, SimplyCLE, and Client & Organization Seminars & Webinars

5/15  CLE Presentment: Exploring LTC Medicaid

5/6   In-Person Seminar for Union members: Estate Planning Essentials

4/30  CLE NYS Surrogate Court Practice

4/10  CLE Estate Planning for Beginner Attorneys

3/27  In-Person Seminar for Italian Transit Workers: LTC Medicaid Planning

3/20  CLE Presentment: Estate Plan Drafting for Paralegals

2/27  Client Webinar: 1031 Exchanges

1/8   Client Webinar: Estate Planning Essentials

12/27CLE Presentment: NYS Surrogate Court Practice

11/31 In-Person Seminar for School District 31: Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft

Notable Cases:

Estate Planning:

• Saved $1,350,000 in projected estate taxes by utilizing Credit Shelter Trust strategies.
• Saved $3,150,000 in projected estate taxes by utilizing Life Insurance Trust strategies.
• Sheltered $3,500,000 brownstone and $300,000 in other assets from being included in Long Term Medicaid asset calculations and spend down requirements.

Tax Resolution:

• Eliminated $275,000 in personal income tax wrongly assessed.
• Eliminated $50,000 in sales tax wrongly assessed.
• Reduced Husband's and spouse's Federal and State income tax owed by $250,000

Captial Gain Taxes:

• Structured sale of a commercial property reducing the projected capital gains by spreading capital out and giving the client $3,580,000 in come over 30 years by utilizing purchase money Morgage strategies.

Languages

• Fluent in English & Brooklynese
• Conversational in Lawn-giland