Tax

In 1934, E.H. McDermott opened a law practice that focused exclusively on taxes. As chief counsel to the Joint Committee on Taxation of the United States Congress, McDermott observed firsthand how the rapidly expanding federal tax laws were affecting businesses and individuals. He recognized the need for a law firm to assist people and their businesses to understand and comply with their changing tax obligations. Today, McDermott Will & Emery has one of the largest law firm tax practices in the world, advising on all tax-related areas, including corporate, employee benefits, estate and gift tax, state and local taxation, and international matters. Our tax practice has evolved in response to the increasing tax and regulatory burdens imposed by governments. Our depth and sophisticated resources enable us to serve every tax need of our clients. We provide comprehensive tax services to our clients, which means more time spent solving their tax problems and less time managing outside tax professionals. In International Tax Review’s first-ever global tax services survey, McDermott received a best-brand mention in the United States and was also mentioned in the telecoms & technology sector as among the best brands in tax.

The core of our tax practice deals with thousands of statutory tax requirements imposed at international, federal, state and local levels. No one lawyer, or one dozen lawyers, can hope to deal proficiently with all aspects of today’s tax maze. The great profusion of tax statutes and rules has created a need for professionals who can address tax issues at all levels. McDermott Will & Emery has amassed unmatched professional tax experience and depth. Our tax services interrelate so as to support and complement one another in order to deliver timely, effective and reasonably-priced tax assistance. We represent more than half of the Fortune 100 companies in tax matters on a regular basis.

PLANNING AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Tax-efficient planning for transactions and business operations is an integral part of any sound business decision. In the planning stages of company organizations, reorganizations and transactions, our lawyers advise on all tax-related aspects of acquisitions and dispositions, mergers and financial structures and products, as well as new business operations. Whether on the federal, state, local or international level, for publicly or privately held organizations, we develop cutting-edge planning solutions for clients by analyzing planning alternatives which achieve their business objectives while minimizing their tax liabilities.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPRESENTATION / LITIGATION
Our group of former United States Department of Justice Tax Division and Internal Revenue Service litigators and administrators regularly represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. This "inside" experience maximizes their effectiveness at each IRS meeting and helps in obtaining private letter rulings and informal expressions of opinion from the IRS. Our London office is also regularly involved in negotiating tax disputes and settlements with the UK Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise. The collective experience of the group has been useful in identifying less costly and more effective ways to aid clients in responding to inquiries by the IRS and Inland Revenue. When litigation is required, our tax litigators provide highly effective and efficient representation in all forms.

LEGISLATIVE TAX SERVICES
Participating in shaping future tax legislation to the benefit of clients is the focus of our legislative tax group in Washington, D.C. Several former legislative assistants who have served with members of Congress direct these services. Longstanding and continuing relationships with lawmakers provide the necessary access to Congress and the ability to potentially impact future legislation. In fact, we regularly provide comments to the IRS in connection with new and proposed tax regulations.

In London, we are actively involved through the membership of representative bodies (Law Society, International Chamber of Commerce and Chartered Institute of Taxation) in making presentations to the Inland Revenue and Treasury Ministers on legislative reforms.

Our German offices provide a broad range of tax experience in the German market.

PRACTICE GROUPS
As a result of serving a wide variety of client needs for more than 60 years, we have developed several tax practice groups. These groups combine their efforts and experience to provide the highest quality service in the following areas: