Tax Law and International Tax Law

A Connecticut Supreme Court decision demonstrates how a $13 million estate tax dispute reinforces a critical planning lesson: formal declarations of domicile carry limited weight when contradicted by an individual's actual living patterns. The case examines how spending more time in Connecticut than Florida, despite obtaining a Florida driver's license and voter registration, led to a substantial tax liability.

California's proposed Billionaire Tax Act would impose a onetime 5% excise tax on individuals and trusts with assets exceeding $1 billion, creating unprecedented challenges for estate planners. The retroactive application and anti-abuse provisions raise critical questions about the treatment of grantor trusts, non-grantor trusts, and beneficiary interests that deviate significantly from established federal wealth transfer tax principles.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2026-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Investment Companies with Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions, on September 9, 2026. While the update is aimed at investment company accounting, it could benefit estate planners and valuation professionals who regularly defend marketability discounts on closely held and restricted stock.

The IRS has issued Notice 2026-40 providing transition guidance for investors who deferred capital gains under the original Opportunity Zone program. While December 31, 2026 remains the mandatory recognition date for deferred gains, the guidance reveals a potential planning opportunity that may allow certain investors to continue deferring gains under the new Opportunity Zone regime through strategic pre-year-end transactions.

The United States cryptocurrency regulatory landscape has undergone its most dramatic transformation in history. The signing of the GENIUS Act into law on July 18, 2025 — the first comprehensive federal crypto statute ever enacted — marks a before-and-after moment for American digital asset law.

Early decisions about a start-up's legal structure can dramatically affect tax outcomes and financial returns as the company grows and reaches liquidity events. Understanding the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exemption and implementing proper structuring from the outset can significantly enhance returns for both founders and investors.

The Second Circuit's ruling in Soroban Capital Partners LP v. Commissioner establishes that a "limited partner" must have both limited liability and no role in running, managing, or controlling the partnership to qualify for the self-employment tax exception. This decision, alongside the Fifth Circuit's revised opinion in Alain v. Commissioner, creates a circuit split with significant implications for fund managers who structure ownership through limited partnerships to minimize self-employment tax

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the Tax Court holding that a partner must lack managerial control over a partnership before it can qualify for the “limited partner exception” from self-employment taxes.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has issued guidance on employer-sponsored Trump Account contribution programs, creating new tax-advantaged opportunities for employers to support employee savings for their children's future. Employers must navigate complex requirements analogous to dependent care assistance programs, including nondiscrimination rules, written plan documents, and compliance obligations under both the Internal Revenue Code and potentially ERISA. What are the key design considerations, tax impl

Liability management exercises (LMEs) offer companies facing financial pressure an alternative to formal bankruptcy, but their tax consequences can significantly impact long-term value creation. Understanding how different LME structures affect cancellation of indebtedness income, tax attributes, and future deductions is essential for stakeholders evaluating out-of-court debt restructuring options.

Navigating the complex landscape of US federal income tax rules is crucial for investors and sponsors in private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds. Understanding how different investor categories—from US taxable entities to foreign pension funds—face distinct tax sensitivities can significantly impact investment returns and structural decisions when forming or investing in funds.

U.S. companies making cross-border dispute payments face unexpected tax liability when withholding requirements are overlooked. Understanding how the origin of the claim doctrine characterizes settlements and damages as FDAP income can prevent costly surprises and ensure proper tax compliance in international dispute resolution.