With nearly 40 years of experience focused on tax law, Bill Sanders has developed broad tax knowledge in corporate, partnership, limited liability company, complex business transactions and workout and bankruptcy issues. A licensed CPA in Missouri, Bill currently serves as chair of the firm’s Tax Practice Group, a position he has held for more than 25 years.

Bill represents a diverse group of clients from Fortune 100 companies to family-owned and tax-exempt organizations. He regularly represents clients nationwide before the Internal Revenue Service at all levels including audits, the Appeals Division and in tax court.

Bill also represents clients in implementing tax-advantaged structures for all types of business transactions, including:

  • Complex mergers and acquisitions
  • Real estate and limited liability/partnership transactions
  • Joint ventures
  • Workouts, both in and out of bankruptcy
  • Business succession and wealth planning matters
  • Private equity

He has worked extensively on tax matters in the Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities area relating to Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (REMIC) and other real estate-based investment pools and has been involved in drafting industry-related legislative and regulatory changes to the REMIC rules.

Education

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (J.D., 1983)
    • University of Missouri-Kansas City (B.S., 1980)

      Bar Admission

      • Missouri

      Court Admissions

      • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, 1983
      • U.S. Tax Court, 1986

      Professional Affiliations

      • Alliance for Epilepsy Research, Inc.
        • Board of Directors
        • Treasurer
      • American Bar Association
      • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
      • Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
      • The Missouri Bar
        • Taxation Committee
      • Missouri Society of CPAs

      Recognition

      • Selected for inclusion in Missouri Lawyers Media's POWER list for Top Missouri Tax and Real Estate Lawyers, 2025
      • Ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Tax, Missouri, 2023-2026
      • AV Rated Martindale-Hubbell
      • Selected for Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Kansas City, Missouri, for:
        • Tax Law, 2022
        • Litigation and Controversy - Tax, 2017
      • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
        • Tax Law, 2011-2026
        • Litigation and Controversy - Tax, 2011-2021, 2023-2026
      • Selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers for 10 consecutive years
      • Selected for Missouri Lawyers Media’s POWER List for Tax Law
      Publications
      All Publications
      90 Days, 10%: IRS Opens New Easement Settlement Window
      Key Takeaways: The IRS has opened a limited settlement window for eligible conservation and historic preservation easement disputes, with a reduced 10% gross valuation misstatement penalty available during the first 90 days. The initiative applies only to partnerships that receive individualized settlement letters from the IRS. The new program offers substantially more favorable terms than the 40% penalty the IRS has frequently pursued in syndicated easement litigation. Partnerships that miss the initial 90-day window may face a higher 20% penalty and less favorable settlement treatment after 135 days. Partnerships, investors and representatives should review any IRS settlement correspondence promptly and evaluate whether participation makes sense under the circumstances. The IRS has announced a new time-limited settlement opportunity for eligible conservation easement and historic preservation
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      IRS Opens the Door on Syndicated Easement Settlements: Limited Time Offers Coming
      Key Takeaways The IRS announced it will soon release settlement terms for certain syndicated conservation and historic preservation easement disputes under Section 170(h). The initiative is expected to provide a limited-time opportunity to resolve pending matters with greater tax certainty. The settlement initiative signals a continued IRS enforcement focus on syndicated easement transactions despite offering a potential path to resolution. Recent Tax Court decisions continue to reflect close scrutiny of valuation positions, technical compliance and penalties. Partnerships and investors should begin reviewing procedural posture, governance requirements and supporting documentation before settlement offers are issued. Early preparation may be important because the IRS is expected to provide a limited response window. In a May 6 announcement, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stated it will soon
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