Tax and Business Planning

All companies, organizations and individuals can expect to encounter issues in the tax arena. The Tax Group of Polsinelli Shughart PC provides creative solutions and legal guidance on international, federal, state and local tax laws to entities in all major industries and tax status classifications. Our attorneys partner with our clients to develop business solutions for both short-term and long-term planning.

The Tax Group’s strong reputation is built on its skills in sound and effective planning, in-depth analysis and favorable resolutions and outcomes, particularly in complex tax matters involving diverse businesses. Our attorneys pride themselves on innovative thinking and expertise in structuring business formation, combinations, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and liquidations in the most tax-advantageous manner.

If needed, the Tax Group’s litigation experience spans all judicial forums including the U.S. Tax Court, federal courts, state courts and administrative tribunals throughout the country. The President actually nominated one of our attorneys to the United States Tax Court — and he decided to stay with us. Our attorneys’ expertise and sound judgment provide our clients with appropriately assessed tax risks with the potential benefits of a judicial or administrative resolution of the issue.

Our attorneys specialize in the handling of individual and business tax matters including:

  • Tax consulting and planning for C corporations, S corporations, LLC's, partnerships, estates and trusts to optimize tax advantages
  • Corporate reorganizations
  • Merger and acquisition transactions
  • Business succession planning
  • Stock-for-stock and stock-for-assets transactions
  • Capital gain and installment sale planning
  • Tax planning for the receipt of real estate development incentives
  • State and local income tax
  • Compensation and benefit plans
  • Tax controversies/disputes and tax litigation
  • Sales and use tax
  • Property tax assessments and valuation
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Tax-free exchanges of property (Section 1031)
  • Choice of entity
  • Partnership and LLC agreements, including economic and tax allocations of income and deductions

The Tax group at Polsinelli Shughart can provide you with the innovative legal counsel you need.

Our attorneys bring both Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and advanced legal qualifications to tax advising for individuals and businesses. Offering both extensive tax planning, and tax audit and appeal services, we represent your interests in preserving income and protecting your assets.

With offices in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, Delaware and New York, we understand local, county and state tax issues for charitable tax planning, employment and independent contracting, partnerships and LLC structuring, audits or tax controversies where you live.

We’re experienced not only in handling income, sales and use, excise and property tax issues, but are well-versed in the kinds of tax controversies that can arise and are prepared to take appeals to the state tax appeal tribunal and the appellate courts of the state.

With a mix of small to large closely held business clients, we offer both corporate and individual tax advice, knowing that business wealth is often tied to individual wealth and tax obligations. Count on our attorneys for a coordinated approach. See our results in a comprehensive, sound tax plan.

Newsletters & E-Alerts

04/13/10
The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, a jobs bill designed to encourage businesses to help put Americans back to work, was signed into law by President Obama on March 18, 2010.  The Act has several provisions that impact employers, including payroll tax exemptions, and up to $1,000 in tax credits for newly hired employees that meet certain eligibility requirements.
March 11, 2010
In the current era of heightened awareness surrounding nonprofit governance, nonprofit boards and their directors are often called upon to consider and interpret the public disclosure obligations of their nonprofits.

Polsinelli Shughart Attorneys Bill Quick and Amy Hornbeck Abrams recently authored an article, which appears in the March 2010 issue of The Journal of the Kansas Bar Association and addresses factors affecting a nonprofit organization’s potential disclosure obligations through its Internal Revenue Service tax filings and application of the Kansas Sunshine Laws.
February 17, 2010
The IRS recently announced a three-year audit program under which it will review the employee/independent contractor status of workers at 6,000 companies, with the bulk of the audits aimed at small businesses. The audits are set to begin February 16 and will include an examination of executive/officer compensation and fringe benefits.
December 9, 2009
This special report provided by Polsinelli Shughart's Tax and Business Planning group contains breaking industry information including year-end tax requirements and information on the first time home buyer credit extension.
September 22, 2009
The Department of the Treasury recently issued important new rules addressing the types of modifications that may be made to loans held by REMICs. These changes are extremely important to both servicers and borrowers because they now allow modifications to loans that previously have been prohibited.
August 9, 2009
This special report provided by Polsinelli Shughart's Tax and Business Planning group contains breaking industry information including the Cash for Clunkers program and federal unemployment tax audits.
June 17, 2009
This e-Alert is prepared as a source of general information concerning recent legal developments. If you would like more information, please contact a member of our Corporate, Tax or Real Estate Finance groups. For a printable version of this Client Advisory, click here.
April 7, 2009
This eblast features a brief discussion on the new like-kind exchange considerations and links to an article on the subject co-authored by Polsinelli Shughart Shareholders Bill Quick and Virginia Gross.
March 24, 2009
The Tax and Business Planning Practice Group provides these e-Alerts periodically to keep our clients, taxpayers and businesses updated on recently adopted legislation and key changes in tax laws.

Awards & Recognition

October 27, 2009
Another award? We’ll take it. Polsinelli Shughart PC is excited to announce that 69 of our attorneys are included in the Super Lawyers® 2009 list for Missouri and Kansas. Attorneys from all the major offices of Polsinelli Shughart in Missouri and Kansas are represented among the honorees. Only five percent of attorneys in Missouri and Kansas receive this honor. In addition, Chairman Emeritus R. Lawrence Ward is featured in a Q & A editorial article “Brilliant Careers,” interviewed about his most interesting cases and advice for young lawyers.