The Tax Practice Group provides advice and assistance to clients on a variety of federal, state, local and international tax matters. The group structures transactions on a tax-efficient basis, and counsels clients on tax planning opportunities and offers counsel in a variety of other areas. Our corporate clients range from large publicly traded companies to entrepreneurial start-up businesses. In addition, the group represents clients before governmental agencies and courts in both federal and state tax controversies and has worked with clients on shaping tax legislation at the state and federal levels.
We have strong academic backgrounds and extensive experience in taxation. The group's members are active in the state and local tax bars, serve on various tax committees for other professional organizations, author tax treatises and scholarly articles, frequently speak at seminars and have taught tax courses at the University of Wisconsin Law School. We work closely with the firm's other teams in a coordinated effort to explore planning opportunities and structure transactions in a tax-favorable manner.
Tax Restructurings
We work with the Business Finance, Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice Group in analyzing and minimizing the tax consequences of restructuring the debt or equity of a business. We work with debtors and creditors, both in and out of formal bankruptcy proceedings. The group has also worked extensively with partnerships in restructuring debt obligations to avoid adverse tax consequences to their partners.
Real Estate Tax
We work closely with the Real Estate Practice Group in structuring entities to own real estate, tax-deferred exchanges of real estate, installment sales of real estate and real estate syndications, and using the tax credits and other incentives available to real estate projects, such as the low income housing and rehabilitation tax credits. Members of the group structure real estate partnerships and joint ventures for development projects and analyze and structure real estate investment trusts (REITs) and partner investments in UPREITS.
Succession Planning
We work closely with the Estate Planning, Estate & Trust Administration Practice Group in an effort to provide business entities and their owners with an integrated strategy that addresses business, tax and estate planning concerns. We routinely consult with clients concerning their goals and objectives so that proper planning can be undertaken before a business is bought or sold or ownership interests are transferred to key employees or family members.