Federal Tax

Pierce Atwood's Federal Tax Group works closely with the Business Group to structure transactions in the most tax-efficient manner possible.  Tax considerations often determine the form and the viability of contemplated transactions.  Accordingly, members of our group become involved in transactional matters at the outset, learning and understanding the client's business, structure, and balance sheet to achieve the client's objectives.  Members of the Federal Tax Group regularly advise clients on the federal, state, and international tax aspects of corporate reorganizations, mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and other dispositions, joint ventures, financings, and restructurings. 

Members of the Federal Tax Group represent clients in tax controversy matters, including trial litigation and IRS audits and appeals.  We regularly advise clients during the audit process by assisting in responses to IRS requests, developing strategies to identify and address issues.  Many concerns are resolved at the audit level, but when they are not, we obtain successful resolutions at the appeal level or before the United States Tax Court or the Federal District Courts.  We work closely with our Litigation Group in many controversies so that our clients have the benefit of both experienced tax lawyers and innovative litigators.

Over the past several years, renewable energy projects have frequently been driven by federal and state tax credits and other tax incentives. Members of the Federal Tax Group regularly work with the Energy Practice Group and the Renewables Team to structure and develop renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and biomass projects, to achieve our client's objectives in the most tax-efficient manner possible. Often this involves the syndication or monetization of tax credits. We have expertise and experience with all tax aspects of renewable energy projects, including investment tax credits, production tax credits, new markets tax credits, and the Section 1603 cash grant program.

Along with our Trusts and Estates Group, we provide advice and counsel to tax-exempt organizations regarding all organizational and operational aspects of obtaining and maintaining federal tax exemption and public charity status. We also counsel clients and plan for the taxation of unrelated business activities. We help clients comply with all applicable tax rules, including structuring compensation arrangements to meet deferred compensation rules and intermediate sanctions regulations. We regularly prepare exemption applications. In conjunction with members of our State and Local Tax Group, we also provide guidance regarding state tax exemptions, including exemptions from sales tax and property tax.

We provide solutions to clients, both executives and employers, regarding various forms of executive compensation arrangements, including stock-based compensation (such as stock options, restricted stock awards, stock purchase plans, stock appreciation rights, profits interests in LLCs and partnerships, and phantom stock awards), golden parachute arrangements and other change of control packages, split dollar insurance arrangements, individual executive compensation, employment and severance agreements, and supplemental retirement plans.