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Joshua Pagano

CPA Partner and Team Leader, Digital Assets and Hedge Funds

Get to Know Me

Josh Pagano is a tax partner and Team Leader for the Firm’s Digital Assets and Hedge Fund practices.

He brings nearly 15 years of experience to the financial services team, specializing in tax compliance and consulting for hedge funds, private equity funds, funds of funds, general partners, and management companies. He has extensive experience reviewing partnership agreements during setup, structuring, restructuring and liquidation, as well as reviewing partnership allocations, scheduling K-1s, and partnership tax returns, including international and state filings. Josh believes in helping clients solve their problems through customized structuring and planning, positioning them for long-term success.

Josh is an integral member of Withum’s team that standardizes internal processes. He has an acute eye for cohesiveness and understands the power of unity under One Withum. He is also a member of the Firm’s internal Parents Network, which facilitates support and advocacy for working parents.  

Industry Expertise

Service Expertise

Tax

Learn More About My Story

Learn more about my professional experience and how I spend my time outside the firm.

Education:

  • Master of Accounting, North Carolina State University
  • BS, Accounting, Coastal Carolina University

Professional Affiliations:

  • Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • Member, New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA)

When he’s not in the office, Josh enjoys spending time with his family and staying active by golfing, kayaking and fishing.

Authored Insights

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Global finance network connects cities with glowing dollar symbol.
Digital Asset Collateral Considerations

As crypto markets evolve, fund managers are increasingly engaging in complex financial instruments such as tokenized repos, lending, and other strategies. While these instruments offer liquidity and leverage, they also raise tax characterization issues under U.S. federal income tax law. Repos are generally perceived as secured loans, but the IRS may treat them as sales…

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blockchain technology
Revolutionizing Finance: The Role of Blockchain in the Financial Services Industry

With great power comes great responsibility: transparency, trust, and efficiency are the backbone of the financial services industry. Blockchain materialized as a game changer; while it was first exposed through Bitcoin, it goes deeper than cryptocurrency. It is expected to change the financial services industry forever, from smart contracts to cross-border payment transactions and tokenization….

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wall street and american flag
Trump’s Proposal to Increase Tax on Carried Interest

In a recent move, President Donald Trump has proposed to eliminate the carried interest tax loophole, a tax break that has long benefited Wall Street investment managers. This proposal aligns Trump with many Democratic lawmakers who have also sought to remove long term capital gains from carried interest. What Is Carried Interest? Carried interest refers…