Lenhart Obenshain’s tax attorneys are business lawyers with
tax backgrounds, including several with advanced law degrees in taxation and
one who is also a certified public accountant. As a result, tax planning is
incorporated into every business transaction rather than constituting an
after thought or add-on service. We work in close cooperation with the
business’ financial and accounting officers and other advisors. Most
transactions or events experienced by a growing company, from formation,
through financings, employee incentives, technology exploitation and sale,
have significant tax implications that must be addressed to maximize
operating profits and equity value. Lenhart Obenshain’s attorneys approach
every transaction with these implications and the long-term picture in mind.
Our services include:
- Company Formations and Conversions. Lenhart Obenshain’s
attorneys have significant experience in the selection of the optimal
legal or tax entity form for a particular business, investment or venture,
including C or S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies,
and business trusts. We also advise and assist existing businesses
desiring to convert from one form of entity to another. We also advise
clients on the use of multiple legal entities and subsidiaries to achieve
various business, liability protection and tax planning goals.
- Mergers and Acquisitions. Our attorneys have significant
experience with most types of business mergers and acquisitions, including
taxable and tax-free asset and stock sales, stock redemptions, mergers,
spin-offs and divestures, reorganizations and recapitalizations. Our tax
attorneys regularly advise clients with respect to the tax implications of
cash and deferred, contingent or “earnout” payments for stock, payments
under consulting and noncompetition agreements, and exchanges of equity
securities in one company for those in another.
- Employee Incentives Taxation. We regularly advise clients with
regard to the design and administration of employee benefit plans and
arrangements for both executives and employees, including qualified and
non-qualified employee benefit plans. We assist growing companies in
structuring incentive compensation arrangements, deferred compensation
plans, stock option and restricted stock plans and agreements. We also
assist companies with the establishment of employee stock ownership plans
(ESOP’s).
- Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning. Lenhart Obenshain has an
extensive practice in advising business owners and investors with respect
to estate and gift tax planning and family trust and estate
administration. A closely-held business or private equity investment can
often constitute one of the most significant assets in an owner or
investor’s estate, and early planning regarding the ownership and future
disposition of such business or investment is critical to minimizing the
impact of estate taxes and family circumstances or dynamics on their
value. Business owners and “angel” investors also often have significant
wealth, making them good candidates for sophisticated planning vehicles
such as charitable trusts and private foundations, and equity discounting
vehicles, such as family limited partnerships, grantor retained annuity
trusts and family installment sales.
Lenhart Obenshain places a premium on creativity, efficiency, and
responsiveness. We offer cost-effective alternatives to the traditional
“billable hour” arrangement, including providing a comprehensive business
and tax overview for a fixed-fee.
If you need legal advice on business tax and wealth transfer issues
contact Jeffrey G. Lenhart at 540.437.3123
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