Gray Reed’s Tax Department provides experienced legal counsel to clients on all matters arising from international, federal, state and local tax laws. Our areas of expertise and services include ad valorem, asset protection, civil and criminal tax litigation, consulting, controversy, corporate, ERISA, estate planning, franchise, income tax, state tax, international, IRS audit, mergers and acquisitions, partnership, personal, planning, federal tax credits related to renewable energy and research and development expenses, property, real estate, reorganizations and white-collar defense. Our clients make up a broad spectrum of taxpayers including public and private companies, partnerships, nonprofit organizations, estates and trusts, employee benefit plans, and individual taxpayers.

Our tax law and tax litigation practices ranked among the very best firms in the United States in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” ranking.

Federal Tax Planning & Structuring

We work closely with clients and their accountants to structure business activities and transactions in a tax efficient manner, and in the areas of tax review, compliance, reporting and controversy. We keep abreast of the ever-changing and complex tax environment so that we can alert our clients to new planning opportunities and compliance requirements, and to provide legal advice that is timely to our clients’ business affairs. Serving individuals as well as small, emerging and middle market businesses and large, multinational corporations, we have the experience to design creative and practical solutions to execute tax planning strategies in complex business transactions.

Federal Tax Controversy

When it comes to tax controversy, we provide clients with experienced representation in tax examinations/audits, protests to the IRS Office of Appeals, and in equivalent state and local appeals functions. We are also highly skilled and experienced in litigation before the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Courts, as well as state and local tax authorities and courts.

State and Local Tax (SALT)

The State of Texas prides itself on its business-friendly regulations and its aversion to income taxes while downplaying the many forms of tax that it does impose, which include ad valorem taxes, sales and use tax, franchise tax, etc.  Just as in the case of federal tax planning and controversy work, we provide cost-effective solutions to our clients’ tax issues, which are designed to address the matter at hand and reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence.

International Transactions

As business becomes increasingly international, business planners must always consider the tax implications of international and cross-border transactions. We help clients minimize the worldwide taxation of their investments and advise on investment restructuring and disposition. This often requires familiarity with the tax laws of several countries and bilateral and multilateral tax treaties, as well as U.S. tax laws.

Expertise in the Field

Many of us have a background in general corporate and tax matters and also concentrate in one or more particular areas of tax law, including corporate, real estate transactions, partnerships and limited liability companies, state and local, exempt organizations, banking, international and individual taxation and estate planning.

We are actively involved in activities of the tax section of the American Bar Association and State Bar of Texas and regularly publish articles and speak on topics covering federal, state, and international tax issues.

Many of us hold advanced degrees in tax or accounting. Three attorneys are Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and four are Certified Public Accountants. Many of us have worked for the government as attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice or the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Several of us teach undergraduate and post-graduate tax courses as adjunct faculty at SMU and the University of Houston. In addition, one of us has served as president of the Texas Society of CPAs and has served on the AICPA’s national tax executive committee.

Our goal is to lead clients efficiently and professionally through the ever-changing maze of tax issues and ensure that existing or contemplated financial affairs of clients are structured in a practical and cost-effective manner that achieves business or personal objectives with minimal exposure to tax.

Access to Resources and General Counsel Capabilities

As a full service firm, we are uniquely positioned to effectively represent and counsel clients beyond routine or the most complex tax matters. When a client’s need goes beyond the expertise or jurisdiction of a tax attorney, our firm has a worldwide network of lawyers for international and cross-border issues and other Gray Reed attorneys who focus on areas such as estate planning, banking & finance, energy, construction, healthcare, labor & employment, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, real estate, white-collar defense, appellate and commercial litigation. These resources allow us to serve as outside general counsel for our clients and help solve nearly any issue they may face in the life cycle of their business.

Why Clients Feel at Home at Gray Reed

Your experience with our tax attorneys will be fully aligned with your goals and objectives and tailored specifically to how you want to do business with us. Our lawyers are adaptable and nimble – you will never be forced into a box that doesn’t fit your opportunity or problem, or your needs and desires. Whether we are your longtime advisor or guiding you through a government investigation, you’ll be comfortable with our skill and practical approach. We know exactly when to turn up the heat and when collaboration is the smartest way for you to achieve your goals.