Transactional Tax Services and Regulatory Issues

Our transactional and regulatory tax law solutions provide a framework for any business seeking a practical and proactive approach to structuring or expanding its business to maximize profitability while minimizing risk. These services include general transactional tax work, entity structures, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations and many other corporate-type tax strategies. Our Mergers and Acquisitions attorneys have worked on some of the most interesting and complicated deals in the region.

In addition, our funds and investment experience provides insight into the taxation of financial products, debt instruments, options and derivatives to ensure your financial portfolios are strong and future-focused. We counsel multinational corporations on cross-border transactions and have strong industry experience in aerospace and defense, agribusiness, automotive, cannabis, health care, infrastructure and P3s and many more. Click on the links to learn more about our Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group and our Funds and Investments Industry Group.

Business Succession and Estate Planning

Federal estate tax laws now place a greater focus on income tax planning in conjunction with estate tax planning. The decisions you make now can greatly affect how your assets are taxed later. We help implement a balanced strategy that promotes and protects the needs of both the family and the business, with tax planning across all aspects of federal, state and local taxation. This can involve separate transitions of management and ownership and assistance with family meetings to discuss and plan for these transitions including the use of ESOPs which we have extensive experience. We represent businesses and families of all sizes, from small businesses to large multi-billion-dollar international organizations. We are passionate about guiding clients through all areas of succession planning, tax planning, gift planning, generation-skipping and various value-freezing and sale techniques. We also defend clients’ tax positions when under audit by the IRS and state agencies. Learn more about our Trusts and Estates Practice Group by clicking on the link.

Real Estate Tax Credits and Incentives

We represent developers and tax credit investors in real estate transactions involving Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits and Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Our attorneys also provide tax advice and counseling on real estate property taxes, investment property taxes, assessed values, taxable values, exemptions and abatements. Warner’s Tax Law attorneys work closely with our Real Estate Services Practice Group attorneys to collaborate our efforts for efficient and exceptional work. Learn more about our Real Estate Services and Economic Incentives Practice Groups by clicking on the links.

Opportunity Zones

Our Opportunity Zone counsel spans investors, fund sponsors, developers and municipalities on the tax benefits and incentives, such as tax deferrals on capital gains, for investments in low-income communities in Michigan and nationwide. Our team of tax attorneys plays a crucial role in revitalizing cities and neighborhoods with the help of progressive incentive programs like Opportunity Zone and PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) which provide tax benefits and help control costs.

Tax-Exempt and Nonprofit Organizations

From private foundations to large health systems, Warner represents all types of nonprofit organizations in a variety of tax matters. Our tax services include the formation and qualification for tax-exempt status, preparation of annual reports and tax returns, guidance through necessary state and federal regulations and addressing tax sensitive governance issues. We help nonprofits, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), with fundraising, socially responsible investing and tax-exempt financing, litigation and other matters involving the formation, governance and management of nonprofits. Learn more about our commitment to nonprofits by visiting our Nonprofit Organizations Practice Group website page.

Tax Controversies, Criminal Investigations and Litigation

Our tax attorneys provide representation in audits with the IRS and other tax-collection agencies and when disputing assessments, collections and tax defense at the criminal level. We have a dedicated White Collar Criminal Defense and Compliance Practice Group devoted to protecting and defending your rights before the IRS and in local, federal and state courts. We regularly negotiate on behalf of clients with tax authorities and provide a wide range of internal investigations, audits and compliance solutions designed to keep your business running and out of court. For more information about our White Collar Criminal Defense and Compliance Practice Group, click on the link.