Businesses

Tax Dispute Resolution

Our attorneys represent business clients who have federal and state tax disputes. These tax disputes include:

• Payroll Tax Disputes
• Unemployment Tax Disputes
• Employee Misclassification Disputes
• Sales  Tax Disputes
• Use Tax Disputes
• Meals Tax Disputes
• Income Tax Disputes

We represent our clients at the audit level, on appeal, and before the courts, including the U.S. Tax Court and the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board.

We also help businesses minimize their overall tax liability through careful tax planning.


Tax Collection Defense

Our attorneys also represent businesses that require tax collection defense. We work with the collection officials at all levels of the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Our work includes:

• Heading Off Levies and Other Collection Action
• Taking Collection Due Process Appeals to the IRS Appeals Office
• Negotiating Offers in Compromise
• Negotiating Installment Payment Agreements
• Removing Tax Liens

Responsible Party Defense

Sometimes the government will demand that the employees of a business to pay taxes owed by the business. These taxes include withheld sales, use and meals taxes; and withheld income and Social Security taxes. We have experience in successfully defending so-called responsible parties.


Penalty Reduction

We have significant experience with penalty reduction. These include:

• Failure to file your tax returns on time
• Failure to file an accurate return
• Failure to pay on time
• Failure to make payroll tax deposits on time

These penalties apply to payroll taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, meals taxes and income taxes. These and similar penalties can often be waived or reduced if the taxpayer has exercised good faith and has made a reasonable effort to comply with the tax laws.


Tax Planning for Family Businesses

A business is often the most valuable asset owned by the family of a businessperson. There are a number of complex family, business, and tax issues involved in the transfer of an operating business to the next generation. Unless these issues are addressed, the business may not survive the incapacity or retirement of the current business owner. We can help. Attorney Morris N. Robinson wrote the original chapter on business succession planning for the two-volume set entitled: Practical Estate Planning in Massachusetts and published by Massachusetts Continuing Professional Education, Inc.


Minimizing Future Business Taxes

We can also help you minimize future business taxes by advising on the tax implications involved in:

• Choosing an Entity
• Making an S Election
• Classifying Workers as Independent Contractors and Employees
• Crafting Stock Option Plans for Officers, Directors and Highly Compensated Employees