| State and local governments are cash-strapped and looking for ways to raise revenue. This puts companies at risk of incurring additional costs at a time when competition is fierce. It also makes it harder for companies operating in multiple states to keep up to date with changes and ensure they remain in compliance.
We advise companies of all sizes and corporate structures on state and local tax compliance and tax planning. We understand the state and local tax laws that affect all types of transactions and industries, from real estate to energy to communications to high tech. We have an especially strong focus in advising communications providers on the various facilities taxes that add up to a substantial portion of their customers’ bills.
Our team is made up of tax lawyers who focus their practices on the intricacies of tax law. This allows us to bring clients sophisticated advice both efficiently and responsively. Tax questions are usually time-sensitive, and our focus and experience enables us to respond quickly, even on complex or unusual issues.
We commit to being user-friendly and to understanding our clients’ businesses so we can provide advice in proper context. We speak our clients' language, not tax jargon, and are available and responsive at all times. |
Selected Experience We create tax planning solutions for the retention of public charity status. (Ongoing) Negotiated the sale of the extensive Rodgers and Hammerstein musical theater portfolio and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization to the Imagem Music Group. (2009) Won trial court order refunding $2.1 million in taxes paid by national cable company to the City of Seattle on cable Internet service. Won unanimous Washington Supreme Court decision affirming the judgment on appeal. 164 Wn.2d 35, 186 P.3d 1032 (Wash. 2008) Represented client in a test case regarding assessment of E911 fees by the state of Alabama and in class action regarding state sales taxes in California. (2008) Acted as Alaska local counsel to Northern Dynasty Minerals, a Canadian corporation, in the negotiation and documentation of a partnership between Northern Dynasty Minerals and a subsidiary of Anglo American PLC. (2007) Obtained Board of Tax Appeals decision holding that hospital's outpatient imaging center was entitled to property tax exemption because of clinical integration with hospital. Decision was affirmed on appeal to superior court, leading to a rulemaking proceeding to adopt the Legacy holding in 2009. Docket Nos. 06-062 and 06-063 (Bd. of Tax App. 2007) Sale of business to Con-way, Inc., a $750 million merger transaction. (2007) Obtained administrative reversal of Seattle's position that National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants are subject to gross receipts tax when received by nonprofits. (2006) Court granted summary judgment holding Seattle's gross receipts tax on wholesaling unconstitutional as applied because it did not provide for apportionment of interstate sales. Docket No. 97-2-21X57-2 (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 1999) | | Search Experience | | | |  |
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