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Introduction
Members of the State and Local Tax Practice
Group are actively involved in counseling clients on the intricacies
of Washington's business and occupation (gross receipts) tax regime
and multi-state sales and use and income tax situation. Proactive
tax planning is a particularly important part of our practice.
The firm also represents many clients from a variety of industries,
including numerous out-of-state companies, in contesting disputed
state and local tax audits. For example, we represent, or have represented
in litigation, Association of Washington Business, WRQ, Westinghouse
Hanford Company, Rockwell International, Seattle-First National Bank,
Johnson Controls, Inc., Safeway, Safeco, McCaw Cellular Communications
and US WEST Communications in state tax controversies. In contested
state and local tax matters, we have successfully challenged the audit
positions of the Departments of Revenue and local tax authorities
in many reported cases, including several supreme court cases. |
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Department
Members
- Seattle
Garry G. Fujita
Dirk J. Giseburt
Michele Radosevich
Joseph M. Wallin
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Range of Services Offered
State
and Local Taxes
Generally Members of the State and Local Tax Practice Group are actively
involved in counseling clients on the intricacies of Washington's
business and occupation (gross receipts) tax regime and multi-state
sales and use and income tax situation. Proactive tax planning is
a particularly important part of our practice. The firm also represents
many clients, including numerous out-of-state companies, in contesting
disputed state and local tax audits. For example, we represent Westinghouse
Hanford Company, Rockwell International, Seattle-First National Bank,
Safeco, McCaw Cellular Communications and US WEST Communications in
state tax controversies. In contested state and local tax matters,
we have successfully challenged the audit positions of the Departments
of Revenue and local tax authorities in many reported cases, including
several supreme court cases.
Legislative
Advice
Members of the Tax Practice Group have also participated with the
Legislatures of states where we have offices on various technical
state and local tax matters, including the drafting of a proposed
state net income tax act at the request of the Washington Department
of Revenue and the House Democratic Caucus, amendment of the gross
receipts tax and the sale and use tax statutes, advising the Oregon
legislature on tax aspects of limited liability companies, and the
potential restructuring of Washington State's tax base in general.
We are active as lobbyists in each state where we have offices.
When Legislatures are in session, the Tax Practice Group prepares
regular updates on the status of important tax legislation and frequently
testifies or lobbies before the Legislature for various clients
with respect to tax matters.
Mergers,
Acquisitions and Liquidations
The Tax Practice Group has advised numerous clients concerning the
state and local tax aspects of, and participated in the negotiation
and documentation of, corporate mergers, acquisitions and liquidations
-- many of which involved interstate and international tax and business
questions.
Sales
Transactions
The Tax Practice Group has participated in many corporate and partnership
sale transactions on behalf of both buyers and sellers and has advised
these clients about the state and local tax aspects of structuring
their sale transactions. The Practice Group has been involved in
the sales of assets, stock and partnership interests, as well as
sales of complete businesses.
Real Estate Transactions
The Tax Practice Group works closely with the firm's Real Estate
and Land Use Practice Group in advising our clients with respect
to state and local tax issues in real estate matters and transactions.
Exempt
Organizations
In addition to its nonprofit hospital clients, the Tax Practice
Group advises many tax-exempt organizations with respect to their
state and local tax affairs.
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