Overview
Today’s businesses are being assailed on every front, as state and local tax authorities attempt to increase revenues and reduce budget cuts. Third-party attacks are also on the rise, with the plaintiffs’ bar increasing its use of class actions and whistleblower cases to reap potential windfalls in the tax arena.
McDermott has one of the largest and most diversified state and local tax (SALT) legal practices in the United States. Our lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of the constantly changing tax laws and have the experience and judgment necessary to provide advice and advocacy of the highest caliber. We identify and develop coordinated, cross-jurisdictional solutions for businesses wherever they are subject to existing or potential taxes and work closely with our many state and local contacts in various departments of revenue and with legislators to resolve tax issues.
In the area of tax controversy and litigation, our SALT group is one of the few firms that has argued—and won—state tax cases before the US Supreme Court. These cases include two Supreme Court taxpayer victories in the “unitary” area as well as the landmark Quill sales tax case. We efficiently develop the critical facts, construct the most effective arguments and help clients chart the best course for resolving any matter, whether at the audit or administrative review level or in trial and appellate courts.
Our tax team has repeatedly earned top rankings by leading industry and legal publications. We have been named “Law Firm of the Year” in Tax Law and Tax Litigation by US News-Best Lawyers, “North American Tax Firm of the Year” by International Tax Review and “Tax Practice Group of the Year” by Law360. Chambers USA and The Legal 500 also have singled out our practice and individual lawyers for recognition. We are consistently sought as speakers at conferences throughout the country, and are regularly quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg BNA, Tax Notes/State Tax Today, CFO.com and CBS MoneyWatch.
Related Capabilities
Administrative & Judicial Proceedings
Our state and local tax lawyers have handled as many, if not more, state tax cases across the country than any other law firm over the past 30 years. We understand that clients have different appetites for litigating state tax issues. Whether at the compliance, audit or informal conference stages or in litigation, we offer advice and advocacy, always seeking alternative and creative solutions to resolve tax disputes. When necessary and appropriate, our state tax attorneys litigate aggressively, but with respect, to resolve client tax problems. Regardless of a taxpayer’s litigation profile, favorable results are more likely each step of the way when a taxing authority believes the taxpayer has hired an attorney with an extensive litigation portfolio, a history of success, and a strong presence in the state tax controversy community. McDermott’s SALT attorneys meet this criteria.
Audit Defense
Clients look to McDermott to develop audit strategies that address issues raised by state and local tax auditors, and to preemptively identify and resolve potential issues. We understand the goals and methods of the lawyers and professionals who represent the taxing authorities, from drafting document requests to interviewing key corporate employees. Our team frequently takes the lead in audit matters, assisting clients in developing responses to requests for information and to specific proposed audit adjustments, and in negotiations with state and local revenue authorities. When necessary, we can also play a “behind the scenes” role. Either way, with decades of experience, we can recommend “best audit practices” for establishing credibility with agents and officials.
Digital/Cloud Taxation
As state revenue departments attempt to impose taxes on cloud-based models and digital content using antiquated legal regimes, cloud-service providers and users alike face a host of tax-related questions and risk. Our lawyers have been involved in the national debate and work with providers and consumers of cloud-based services and digital content to understand, react to and comply with the sales and income tax issues that they face in the new economy. We help businesses identify and adjust for risk early in the process. We also work with vendors to understand tax incentives available to foster high-tech build out of facilities and employment. Our lawyers have worked with the Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board to develop definitions and relevant sourcing rules and have worked extensively with the National Conference of State Legislatures concerning how to address taxation of the cloud.
False Claims Act
In addition to managing normal audit risk, McDermott’s clients increasingly face the risk of tax-related claims brought by third parties. Such risks include whistleblower claims brought by qui tam plaintiffs alleging an under collection of tax and proposed class action claims alleging an over collection of tax or a violation of consumer fraud statutes. McDermott’s SALT Group is well versed in the defense of such claims. We have been at the forefront of defending against whistleblower claims filed under the Illinois False Claims Act over the past decade, including the leading appellate court decisions. We also regularly advise clients about how to avoid such claims. In addition, we routinely represent clients faced with the threat of tax-related class action litigation, and have achieved favorable results for clients in several such matters.
Incentives
State and local governments offer a range of incentives to encourage private investment, business expansion and job creation within their jurisdictions. When companies consider relocating, expanding existing facilities or adding jobs, McDermott can help them offset costs and realize significant value by identifying and claiming the right mix of incentives packages. We understand that the key to obtaining incentives is timing, and that early involvement of experienced legal counsel can improve a company’s leverage when negotiating incentives with state and local officials before a planned investment is initiated. Our incentives practice includes lawyers and project-management professionals operating throughout the United States.
Planning
Our SALT practice provides planning services related to existing business relationships and practices (e.g., structural planning including addressing nexus and apportionment issues), as well as to specific pending transactions (transactional planning). Working with the client’s staff, our lawyers determine where proactive changes can be made to improve the client’s state and local tax situation. One set of tax costs that are often overlooked when planning transactions is the imposition of state and local taxes (such as sales and real estate transfer taxes) on the transaction. Our lawyers not only assist clients in avoiding these hidden pitfalls, but also help them achieve greater tax efficiency in their post-transaction operations.
State & Federal Legislation
Although traditional legal avenues such as planning, settlement and litigation are often the best courses of action to achieve the desired results for our clients, in some instances these are either unavailable or foreclosed under existing laws or regulations. In those instances, we offer legislative and lobbying initiatives to help achieve the desired results. Our services include monitoring specific issues and legislative initiatives, building consensus with other interested parties, preparing legislative proposals, drafting legislation and communicating proposals to the legislative decision makers.
Unclaimed Property
Unclaimed property, including uncashed vendor payment checks, unused balances on gift cards and un-refunded customer overpayments, is a target by many states as a source of revenue. States are adopting enforcement provisions that overreach what often constitutes unclaimed property, conflict with federal precedent, create data privacy issues, and expose businesses to unanticipated liabilities and significant penalties for noncompliance. We represent clients across a broad range of industries—including health care, manufacturing and retail—on unclaimed property issues, particularly those clients embroiled in multi-year, multi-state unclaimed property audits. Our counsel includes advising on the onerous document production process and offering efficient methods to limit both the scope of the responses and potential liability. In addition, we work with non-compliant companies—often following an acquisition—on state voluntary disclosure agreements to become current on state unclaimed property obligations.
