A significant part of our practice is devoted to sophisticated tax planning and solving complex corporate tax problems. We work with major multinational corporations, as well as the owners of major privately held companies to address corporate issues from the perspectives of U.S. federal, international, and state and local tax law.
We represent clients in diverse industries, from telecommunications, electronics, consumer goods, transportation, power generation and manufacturing, to banking, insurance, securities, entertainment and services.
The depth and diversity of our practice allows us to maintain a leading-edge capability. We have provided strategic tax planning for major acquisitions, structured in some instances as tax-free reorganizations (mergers, reverse mergers, subsidiary-level transfers, direct stock and asset acquisitions) and in other instances as partially or fully taxable purchases. We have advised on multi-country corporate reorganizations, bankruptcy restructurings and leveraged buy-outs using a variety of ownership vehicles, including C corporations, partnerships, S corporations, LLCs and domestic and international joint ventures. We frequently provide tax opinions in tax-free reorganizations and secure rulings and technical advice from the IRS.
We help clients develop tax strategies designed to maximize the benefits of dividend payouts, redemptions and other corporate distributions, to take advantage of the consolidated return regulations, and to minimize the impact of the loss carryover rules. We have structured spin-offs and other divisive reorganizations and devised plans to maximize the benefits of liquidations and dispositions of separate business segments. We have also structured domestic and offshore mutual funds and REITs.
We work closely with our clients and their corporate, securities, bankruptcy, real estate, environmental, insurance, labor and other counsel to efficiently provide creative, practical tax advice on their transactions. The breadth of our exposure to sophisticated corporate transactions gives us the ability to apply that expertise beyond transactional planning to the controversy area, where we assist clients in the conduct of tax audits, appellate reviews and litigation, at the federal, state and local level.
Financial Products
Our work in the financial products area involves a variety of instruments and structures, including, for example, floating-rate preferred stock, payment-in-kind bonds, convertible debt, and single- and multi-class trusts. We advise on the tax implications of all types of derivative products. In dealing with sophisticated products, such as variable prepaid forward contracts, off-market interest-rate swaps, dual-currency debt instruments, equity-index swaps, and contingent principal amount bonds, we have the knowledge and experience to structure the transaction to achieve the desired result relating to the amount, timing, character, and source of income and deduction.
Private Equity and Hedge Funds
Private equity and hedge funds rely on us for advice in a marketplace that requires immediate decisions. Executives, traders, and chief financial officers at funds we represent call us for prompt advice regarding proposed swaps, trades, and equity investments. Often, we create a tailored structure for a particular investment that takes into account not only the implications specific to the fund itself, but those that might arise for the general partner, the limited partners, and any partners with special tax status (foreign investors, tax-exempt organizations, REITs and others). We have assisted in the structuring of funds, investment management companies, general partners, and vehicles for investment by limited partners. We also help investors evaluate prospectuses of funds for possible investment, assessing the tax consequences of both the overall fund strategy and investments and any possible tax considerations specific to an investor’s personal situation.
- April 22, 2026
- Publications
Treasury Issues Proposed Regulations on the Taxation of Foreign Governments
- Ezra Dyckman, Charles S. Nelson
- New York Law Journal
- April 17, 2026
- Publications
Consequences of Corporate Status Suspension
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- February24, 2026
- Publications
New Law Limits Investment Interest Expense Deductions
- Ezra Dyckman, Charles S. Nelson
- New York Law Journal
- February 19, 2026
- Publications
Taxpayer’s Attempted Characterization of Stock as Debt Rejected: Aventis, Inc. v. Commissioner
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- February 2, 2026
- Publications
Help Is Available If You Forgot to Make a QEF Election
- Ellen Seiler Brody
- Tax Stringer, A publication by the New York State Society of CPAs
- December 23, 2025
- Publications
Holiday Bonus: OBBBA Expands Bonus Depreciation Rules
- Ezra Dyckman, Charles S. Nelson
- New York Law Journal
- December 18, 2025
- Publications
- October 23, 2025
- Publications
Substance over Form and Sham Arguments Rebuffed: ‘Perrigo Co. v. United States’
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 08/21/2025
- Publications
“Break Fee” Classified as Ordinary Deduction: AbbVie, Inc. v. Commissioner
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 07/10/2025
- Publications
Loss Deduction Denied Under Public Policy Doctrine: Hampton v. Commissioner
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 06/25/2025
- Publications
Tax Legislation Could Significantly Harm Foreign Investors
- 4/17/2025
- Publications
Inclusion in Taxable Income of Government Aid: CF Headquarters Corp. v Commissioner
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 02/20/2025
- Publications
“All Events” Test for Accrual of Deductions: Morning Star Packing Co. v. Commissioner
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 12/19/2024
- Publications
Purported Loans Not Considered Debt
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 10/17/2024
- Publications
Termination of Status as S Corporation Shareholder
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 09/18/2024
- Publications
- 08/15/2024
- Publications
Coordination of ESOP Benefits With Installment Method
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 06/20/2024
- Publications
Theft Loss Deductions Denied
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 04/18/2024
- Publications
Sham Stock Sales: Acqis Technology v. Commissioner
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 02/15/2024
- Publications
Intercompany Loans Recharacterized: ‘Fry v. Commissioner’
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 12/21/2023
- Publications
- 10/19/2023
- Publications
Hyatt Hotels: Are Omissions from Gross Income an Accounting Method?
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 08/17/2023
- Publications
Capital Loss Disputed: Computer Sciences Corp. v. Commissioner
- Elliot Pisem, David E. Kahen
- New York Law Journal
- 06/15/23
- Publications
When an Expense is Considered ‘Paid’: ‘Gage v. Commissioner’
- David E. Kahen, Elliot Pisem
- New York Law Journal
- 04/21/2022
- Publications