Couzens Lansky has earned a well-respected reputation for providing exceptional tax law representation for our business, nonprofit and individual clients. Our tax lawyers have extensive experience in matters relating to tax planning, audits, preparation of tax returns, federal and state tax issues and property tax matters.
Business Tax Planning
Tax considerations are an important issue for all businesses, whether a sole proprietorship, closely held LLC, partnership or a corporation. We help our clients navigate the complexities of tax law relating to:
- Buy-sell arrangements
- Complex insurance arrangements
- Dissolution and liquidation
- Employee benefits
- Employment taxes
- Entity formation
- Gifting and succession planning
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Non-qualified deferred compensation agreements and IRC §409A compliance
- Real property taxes
- State taxes
- Tax free reorganizations
- Tax law compliance
- Valuation issues
Federal, State & Local Tax
Our tax lawyers counsel and represent businesses and individuals in all matters relating to federal, state and local tax. We understand the complexities of shifting tax requirements. Our comprehensive tax practice involves providing solutions to routine and complex matters, such as:
- Federal tax matters, including individual and business tax planning
- IRS issues, including planning, audits, investigations, ruling requests and litigation
- Michigan Corporate Income Tax
- Personal property taxes
- Real estate tax incentives and economic development programs
- Real property taxes
- State income tax
- State sales and use tax
- Tax compliance for nonprofit organizations
- Tax withholding issues
Individual Income, Gift & Estate Tax Planning
Couzens Lansky lawyers work closely with our clients’ other trusted advisors to help clients defer or minimize tax liabilities and to comply with applicable rules. This includes personal income tax planning and compliance and gift and estate tax planning matters such as:
- Counseling regarding income, gift, estate and generation skipping tax matters
- Preparing gift and estate tax returns
- Assisting in the preparation of individual and fiduciary income tax returns
- Seeking private letter rulings concerning gift and estate tax matters
- Representing clients in audits and litigation concerning income tax matters and transfer taxes
Nonprofit & Tax Exempt Organizations
The laws governing nonprofits and tax exempt organizations are highly regulatory and complex. Our lawyers have experience advising clients in the formation of a nonprofit, obtaining and maintaining tax exempt status rulings, day-to-day governance, compliance, tax issues and succession planning. Representative nonprofits include:
- Private family foundations
- Public charities
- Business and trade associations
- Educational institutions
- Health care organizations
- Homeowners’ associations
- Religious organizations
- Social clubs
- Social service organizations
Property Tax Appeals
We help our clients understand how real property is assessed, offer advice to maximize exemptions and represent property owners in property tax issues before local assessors, Boards of Review and the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
Tax Controversies
Our tax lawyers have successfully represented our clients in investigations, appeals and other matters involving the IRS, Michigan Department of Treasury, Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, as well as local governments.