IRVINE, Calif. (March 21, 2025) — University of California, Irvine School of Law Professor Joshua Blank, an internationally recognized tax law scholar and expert in tax administration, compliance, and automated legal guidance, has recently co-authored two books for publication by Cambridge University Press. The books — “Untaxed: The Rich, the IRS, and a New Approach to Tax Compliance” (with Ari Glogower) and “Automated Agencies: The Transformation of Government Guidance” (with Leigh Osofsky) — offer fresh insights into critical issues facing both tax policy and government automation.
“Untaxed: The Rich, the IRS, and a New Approach to Tax Compliance” (with Ari Glogower) (Cambridge University Press 2024), addresses one of the most contentious issues in the U.S. tax system — the ability of wealthy taxpayers to reduce their tax liabilities through aggressive, often abusive, tax practices. By proposing innovative means-based adjustments to tax compliance rules, Prof. Blank and co-author Ari Glogower aim to level the playing field between the wealthy and other taxpayers. The book is billed as “a must-read for legal scholars, policymakers, tax students, and anyone interested in tax policy and administration.”
Prof. Blank’s forthcoming book, “Automated Agencies: The Transformation of Government Guidance” (with Leigh Osofsky) (Cambridge University Press, available April 2025), examines the rapidly evolving landscape of government automation, including the use of chatbots and virtual assistants to explain the law to the public. While automation offers increased efficiency and accessibility, Prof. Blank and co-author Leigh Osofsky caution that it also presents risks of misleading guidance. The book provides comprehensive policy recommendations to help government agencies responsibly implement automated tools.
About Professor Joshua Blank
Professor Joshua Blank is a widely published scholar on tax administration and compliance and also serves as the Director of the UCI Law in NYC Program. He joined UC Irvine School of Law in 2018 after serving on the faculty of NYU School of Law, where he was Vice Dean for Technology-Enhanced Education and Faculty Director of the Graduate Tax Program.
Throughout his career, Prof. Blank has received numerous accolades for his contributions to tax law education, including the 2020 Teacher of the Year Award from the Association of American Law Schools. He also co-led a groundbreaking study on the use of automated legal tools for the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS), resulting in policy recommendations adopted by federal agencies in 2022.
Prof. Blank’s scholarship has been published in leading legal journals, including the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Duke Law Journal, Cornell Law Review, and NYU Law Review. He is also a frequent media contributor on tax law and policy issues.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. At UC Irvine Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UC Irvine Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UC Irvine School of Law.