PRACTICE AREA
Tax considerations influence virtually every significant business decision. Whether a client is acquiring a company, restructuring ownership, forming a joint venture, preserving tax-exempt status, responding to an IRS inquiry, or planning for future growth, the tax consequences often affect value, flexibility, timing, and long-term outcomes.
Dorwart advises businesses, investors, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and individuals on tax planning, tax-exempt organization matters, transactional tax issues, and tax controversies. Our lawyers help clients align business objectives with structures that are practical, efficient, and designed to achieve the intended economic and tax results.
Tax problems are often business problems in disguise. The issue may appear to involve an acquisition, a governance structure, a financing arrangement, a nonprofit organization, or an IRS assessment. In each case, however, tax consequences frequently determine whether a transaction succeeds, whether a structure remains viable, or whether a dispute can be resolved efficiently.
Clients rely on Dorwart because we focus not only on technical tax rules, but also on how tax considerations affect business objectives, governance, operational flexibility, and future transactions.
One of Dorwart’s distinguishing capabilities is advising organizations that operate within the complex rules governing tax-exempt entities. We regularly help nonprofit organizations and other exempt entities navigate issues involving governance, operations, compliance, transactions, and preservation of exempt status.
Our experience also allows us to advise on transactions involving both taxable and tax-exempt participants, where competing objectives and regulatory requirements often create additional complexity.
Effective tax counsel requires more than identifying technical answers. It requires understanding how tax consequences affect business goals, transaction structures, governance decisions, operational flexibility, and future opportunities.
Dorwart helps clients evaluate those considerations early, structure transactions thoughtfully, and navigate tax issues with an eye toward long-term success rather than short-term solutions.
Dorwart represented a Section 501(c)(3) organization facing a substantial IRS assessment that threatened to create significant financial and operational consequences. The organization believed the assessment was incorrect but needed to understand the basis for the government’s position, evaluate its options, and develop a response supported by the underlying facts and reporting history.
Dorwart conducted a detailed review of the organization’s filings, policies, operational practices, and supporting documentation. Working closely with the client, we identified errors in the information underlying the assessment and developed a comprehensive response to the IRS.
At the same time, we helped the organization better understand the reporting issues that contributed to the dispute and implemented processes designed to reduce the likelihood of similar issues arising in the future.
The engagement helped the client challenge the assessment while strengthening its internal compliance and reporting processes. The matter illustrates Dorwart’s ability to combine technical tax knowledge with practical operational guidance.
Advised clients in acquisition transactions where tax structure materially affected transaction value, post-closing flexibility, and long-term economic outcomes.
Represented a buyer that discovered significant tax exposure during acquisition due diligence. Rather than allowing the issue to derail the transaction, Dorwart helped negotiate a structure involving escrow protections that allocated risk appropriately and allowed the deal to proceed.
Advise nonprofit organizations and tax-exempt entities regarding formation, governance, operational compliance, and preservation of federal and state tax-exempt status.
Advise clients regarding multi-tiered ownership structures, partnership arrangements, joint ventures, rollover equity, and other transactions where tax treatment significantly affects economic outcomes.
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