The Tax Practice Group at Lane Powell provides tax planning and advice to clients on federal, state, local and international tax matters, including assistance with tax rulings, tax audits and appeals to tax agencies and the courts. We work closely with clients and their accountants to reduce taxes associated with business activities and significant transactions, and in the areas of tax review, compliance, reporting and controversy.
Members of the Tax Practice Group have been active in advising companies in particular industries on federal, state and international tax issues associated with that industry. Examples of such industry expertise includes service, manufacturing, transportation, retail and the technology sector and other emerging industries.
STATE AND LOCAL TAX PRACTICE
Lane Powell tax attorneys can identify state and local tax saving opportunities for clients in their ongoing businesses. Our tax attorneys also assist with establishing business entities, structuring business transactions, sales and acquisitions (assets or stock) of businesses and real estate transactions. Our expertise covers the full range of state and local taxes - income, gross receipts, sales and use, estate, employment and special excise taxes. Lane Powell’s property tax practice is proactive on behalf of clients, seeking out opportunities to obtain property tax refunds and reductions on both real and personal property and offering services on either an hourly or contingency fee basis.
State and Local Tax Controversy:
The Firm represents clients before the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Revenue in the course of routine or special audits, and in administrative appeals, interpretive problems and predeterminations of tax liability. We have achieved very favorable results for clients in litigation involving the Departments of Revenue in Oregon and Washington.
FEDERAL TAX PRACTICE
Federal Taxation: Working in conjunction with other practice areas of the Firm, the Tax Practice Group provides tax advice in connection with establishing business entities, asset purchases, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate reorganizations, public and private financings, and employment related matters. Our goal is to insure that our clients have considered and utilized appropriate tax saving strategies in the formation, operation or disposition of their businesses or investments.
Tax Controversy: The Tax Practice Group works with clients to resolve tax controversies with the IRS, whether at the examination, in administrative appeals or, if appropriate, in the courtroom.
INTERNATIONAL TAX PRACTICE
Lane Powell has considerable expertise in dealing with the tax consequences of business or investment transactions that cross international borders. Members of the Tax Practice Group are actively involved in advising U.S. and foreign companies on structuring their business activities so as to minimize foreign taxation and take maximum advantage of U.S. tax benefits. The Firm also regularly advises clients on the tax consequences of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures whether located within or outside the United States.
Inbound: The Tax Practice Group advises on the U.S. tax consequences related to establishing, conducting or terminating business activities in the United States. Selection of business entities, expatriation strategies, capitalization and commercial operation concerns are part of the tax assistance provided to foreign owners.
Outbound: Our lawyers assist clients to structure operations and make effective use of treaties to reduce the complexity and tax cost of doing business outside the United States. We work with clients to address such matters as withholding taxes, export incentives, foreign tax credits and branch profits taxes.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
We advise and counsel businesses on the complete range of tax issues involved in the design and administration of employee benefit plans, including: drafting pension, profit sharing, 401(k), ESOP’s, health and welfare plans, trusts and agreements; tax qualification of ERISA single employer, multiple employer and multi-employee plans; plan governance under ERISA, ERISA reporting and disclosure compliance; and disputes and litigation regarding employee benefit plan claims.
CHARITABLE and TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS
We assist non-profit corporations in obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status, and provide advice on project financing, joint ventures with for-profit businesses, unrelated business taxable income and tax-exempt financing. We also have substantial experience in public/private partnerships and advising tax-exempt clients on governmental relations issues.
TAX PLANNING FOR INDIVIDUALS
Estate Planning: Lane Powell has an active estate planning practice specializing in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and charitable giving for high-net worth individuals and business owners. Attorneys provide innovative solutions to the business succession problems posed by business owners, and develop estate planning strategies that can provide our clients and their families with significant estate, gift and income tax savings.
Wealth Management:
We work with individuals and families to create tax efficiencies related to investment earnings, compensation and business succession planning.
