---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001999371-23-000135"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: null
cik: "0001068875"
company_name: "AVANTAX, INC."
filed_at: "2023-11-13T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-08T04:35:57.004709+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Avantax CEO Walters to step down after Merger close; CFO, CLO to depart; proxy litigation supplement filed

## Summary
- CEO Christopher Walters plans to step down after end of 2023, contingent on closing of Merger with Aretec Group.
- CFO Marc Mehlman and CLO Tabitha Bailey will not remain long-term after Merger closing.
- Three stockholder lawsuits filed contesting proxy statement disclosures; company to voluntarily supplement proxy.
- Supplement adds 2024E financial projections and closing-date details to advisor opinion tables.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001999371-23-000135
- form_type: 8-K
- cik: 0001068875
- company_name: AVANTAX, INC.
- filed_at: 2023-11-13T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1068875/000199937123000135/0001999371-23-000135-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1068875/000199937123000135/avta_8k-110623.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001999371-23-000135
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001999371-23-000135.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001999371-23-000135.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Christopher Walters departed as Chief Executive Officer at AVANTAX, INC..
  - Action: plans to step down
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Christopher Walters, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, announced that, subject to the closing of the Merger, he plans to step down from the role of Chief Executive Officer after the end of 2023
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1068875/000199937123000135/0001999371-23-000135-index.htm
- Executive change
  Marc Mehlman departed as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at AVANTAX, INC..
  - Action: would not remain
  - Role: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  source text: Marc Mehlman, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Tabitha Bailey, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, announced that, subject to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, they would not remain with the Company long-term following such closing.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1068875/000199937123000135/0001999371-23-000135-index.htm
- Executive change
  Tabitha Bailey departed as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at AVANTAX, INC..
  - Action: would not remain
  - Role: Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
  source text: Marc Mehlman, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Tabitha Bailey, the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, announced that, subject to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, they would not remain with the Company long-term following such closing.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1068875/000199937123000135/0001999371-23-000135-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.