About Us
Cokala was founded in 2007 by Marianne Couch, Mary Kallewaard and Jerri LS
Langer.
Marianne Couch, JD
Marianne is a nationally known advisor and author on U.S. federal tax information reporting compliance, and a frequent lecturer at major tax conferences. She served for many years as Research Director of a company specializing in training on tax information reporting compliance, where she chaired training and advisory services for large organizations and nonprofit institutions. She served a three-year appointment to the IRS Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC) and was Chair of the IRPAC Subcommittee on Small Business and Self-Employed (SBSE) tax issues. Prior to specializing in information reporting and withholding, Marianne worked for a large Michigan law firm, and served as a Research Attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Mary Kallewaard
Mary oversees Cokala project management, monitors federal regulatory and legislative developments, and is primary author of Cokala’s weekly bulletins on federal tax information reporting and withholding compliance. She has worked in tax information reporting technical compliance for over 20 years and previously was a senior manager at a company specializing in training on tax information reporting, where she edited and wrote specialized publications and developed curriculum for compliance training programs. Mary was a three-year appointee to the IRS Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC) and served a one-year term as IRPAC Chair.
Katy Blackhall
Katy has been a team member of Cokala since 2014, working with Cokala clients on training programs for Form 1099 information reporting and backup withholding compliance. Prior to joining Cokala, Katy worked as an Accounts Payable Specialist, and earlier worked in client communications at a company which specialized in training for tax information reporting compliance. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, with a supplemental degree in accounting. As a volunteer, Katy provides Form 1099 filing assistance for an Ann Arbor nonprofit organization.
Jane Easton
Jane joined the Cokala team at the start of 2024, managing client support and administration and assisting with Form 1099 and 1042-S compliance training programs. Prior to joining Cokala, Jane worked as a Paralegal for a Scottish law firm, with certifications in accounts and administration from the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland. She previously worked as an Editor in valuation/transaction advisory for a multinational real estate firm. Jane is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, with a degree in economics and legal studies.