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Tax and Corporate Law Services for Individuals and Corporations
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Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC is a tax attorney providing the following tax law services:
- Audit defense and defense of tax collection actions.
- Tax collection negotiations including settlements, installment agreements, offers in compromise, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief and removal of wage levies, bank garnishments, and asset seizures.
- Property tax appeals.
- Personal and corporate tax planning, including tax planning specific to business owner income.
- Entity selection and corporate formation issues, including distinguishing the tax law and corporate law differences between C and S corporations, limited and general partnerships, limited liability companies and partnerships, and professional corporations and associations.
- Negotiate and structure tax efficient transactions, mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, etc. for corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and non-profits.
- Formation, operation and compliance matters for non-profit organizations, including obtaining and maintaining tax exempt status.
- Negotiate and structure tax law compliant joint ventures and transactions involving non-profit organizations.
- Bringing individuals into compliance with FATCA, including preparation and filing of FBAR and negotiating settlements and resolution for FATCA compliance issues.
- Provide guidance and counsel regarding gift tax issues.
- Work with CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers to verify compliance with tax efficient structures, transactions and record keeping requirements.
- Provide analysis and written legal opinions on the viability and compliance of tax focused transactions or the tax impact of a proposed, planned or existing transaction.
If you have a tax law issue that is not specifically listed here we may still be able to help you or point you in the right direction. Email Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348.
Audit Defense
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC is a tax attorney who provides aggressive, experienced representation before the Internal Revenue Service and state tax agencies for audit and collection matters.
If you have received notice that you will be audited, your very next step should be to contact a lawyer. Many individuals and businesses facing an audit will first retain an accountant or other tax professional. While these professionals can provide skilled guidance, they may also be forced to divulge financial information you believed to be confidential (they are not subject to the same confidentiality rules of an attorney). When you hire a tax attorney in your audit defense, your information will be protected by attorney-client privilege. We know that an audit is grueling and will work to ease your burden and make the process as painless as possible.
The IRS wields extraordinary powers when attempting to collect delinquent taxes. These powers include the power to place a lien on your property, levy your bank accounts and pay, and seize your assets. Taxpayers are entitled to many protections while under investigation in a tax controversy and the representation of an experienced tax attorney can reduce the potential for an adverse determination. The IRS can miscalculate tax debts, rely on incorrect legal theories or make other mistakes. As your tax attorney, Sunjay Sterling will carefully investigate your case to determine your actual tax debt, if any exists. The IRS can and has miscalculated tax debts, relied on incorrect legal theories and made other mistakes. When negotiation with the administrative arm of the IRS fails to secure a desired resolution, Sunjay Sterling is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court and can take the controversy before the United States Tax Court, United States Court of Federal Claims, or a United States District Court to assure that his clients only pay the tax debt that they are legally obliged to pay, or receive the refund to which they are entitled. Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC has substantial experience in presenting cases to, and negotiating with, the audit staff and Appellate Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC will not give you false expectations about the IRS Fresh Start Program nor do I falsely claim to have a direct line to the IRS that is unique to my office. What I provide is the practical experience gained through my numerous years representing corporations and individuals under audit by the IRS. This allows me to give you a realistic assessment of how your particular audit will progress, what information the IRS is seeking, what taxes, interest, fines, etc. they may seek to recoup, and how the audit results can be contested.
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC defends all types of federal tax audits throughout the United States and state tax audits in Michigan and several other states. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to have your tax audit handled by an experienced tax attorney who will not be intimidated by the IRS and who will make sure that you are only responsible for your fair share of taxes.
Tax Collection Issues
Even if you do owe taxes, we can work with the IRS on your behalf to find alternatives to liens, seizures and levies such as:
- Installment agreements
- Offers in compromise
- Penalty abatement
- Innocent spouse relief
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC has represented individuals and corporations in all aspects of tax collection. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to find out about all of the available options for tax collection so that you can avoid aggressive IRS collection tactics.
Property Tax
Arbitrarily increasing property taxes is a common way for local governments to make up for their own financial mismanagement. Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC has a strong track record of successful outcomes in appealing arbitrary property tax increases in all available forums including state treasury departments, tax tribunals and other state courts and agencies. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to get started on reducing your property tax burden.
Tax Planning
For business entities and high net worth individuals, Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC offers complete tax planning services.
Tax planning is a cornerstone of sound business practices. Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC designs strategic and practical solutions to help clients defer or reduce their tax liabilities while maintaining compliance with constantly evolving tax law. These strategies and solutions are tailored to the specific nature and operation of your business with seamless integration and little to no business interruptions.
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC is proficient in helping businesses minimize their tax risk and maximizing their business and financial goals in addition to identifying and formulating tax strategies necessary to further these same goals. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 today to find out what options exist to reduce your tax burden through tax planning.
Entity Selection
The type of entity you form, whether it be a C corporation, S corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, professional corporation, professional limited liability company or partnership or a sole proprietorship, determines how the earnings of the company, or its owner(s), are taxed, as well as the most tax efficient methods to operate, sell, merge or close the company. It is incredibly important that you understand the differences between each entity type and choose the entity that is the best fit for your business purpose and goals as well as your tax expectations.
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC will explain the pros and cons of business entity options, the varied impact of taxes on each, and recommend why one is a better fit than another for your particular business purpose. Sunjay Sterling will also complete all of the required state and federal forms and filings to get your new business officially formed. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to schedule a meeting with Sunjay to get your new business started in a manner that avoids having taxes consume all of your business earnings.
Structuring Transactions for Corporations, Nonprofit Organizations and Business Owners
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC regularly counsels clients on the structure and tax ramifications of all types of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, spin-offs, reorganizations, equipment leasing, debt securitization, and joint ventures. As your tax attorney, Sunjay Sterling will thoroughly assess the tax impact of establishing, buying, selling, restructuring, or liquidating your business, so that you can limit your tax liabilities. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 today to ensure your corporate transaction is tax efficient and in compliance with all applicable tax laws.
Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Organizations
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC provides a wide range of services to non-profit and tax exempt organizations including counsel on establishing tax-exempt organizations under Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(13), and other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, filing for and obtaining exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, the treatment of unrelated business taxable income, joint ventures with for-profit entities, director and officer liability issues, corporate governance, state and federal regulation of charitable solicitations, lobbying and political activities, and all aspects of organization and operations. Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC is a tax attorney who can resolve compliance issues regarding your non-profit, tax exempt organization in addition to answering compliance and formation questions. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to have your non-profit, tax exempt organization properly formed in compliance with all applicable state and federal rules and regulations.
Joint Ventures and Tax-Exempt Organizations
Joint ventures are a convenient and flexible vehicle for two or more different entities to work together to achieve a related business objective. However, special care must be taken when joint ventures are between tax-exempt organizations and for profit corporations. Without proper tax counsel, a joint venture involving a tax-exempt organization and a for profit corporation can result in the tax-exempt organization losing its tax exempt status. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 for proper guidance in formation of a joint venture that will preserve the tax exempt status of the non-profit entity while also satisfying the objectives of the joint venture.
International Tax Matters
United States citizens with signature authority over, or financial interests in, financial accounts located outside of the U.S. must take appropriate action to comply with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). If the value of such foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point in a calendar year, compliance with FATCA includes preparation and filing of a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Account (FBAR).
Under FATCA, foreign banks are required to disclose the identity of U.S. citizens and residents holding certain financial assets outside of the U.S. The U.S. government closely scrutinizes these international holdings and devotes substantial resources to enforcing compliance with applicable tax laws in relation to such international holdings. Sunjay Sterling is a tax attorney experienced in representing individuals with offshore holdings who require counsel on complying with these IRS regulations in addition to preparation and filing of FBAR reports and settlement negotiation for those who are late in disclosing such assets. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to find out whether you are subject to FATCA, whether you must file a FBAR, help with filing your FBAR, and how else you are required to comply with rules and regulations pertaining to offshore holdings and investments.
Gift Tax Issues
Are you aware that there is a tax on gifts that exceed a certain value? Many people are not aware of gift tax. Nonetheless, not only is there a gift tax, but Sunjay Sterling is a tax attorney who can provide you with a number of ways to structure gifts to reduce or eliminate the gift tax. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 and Sunjay will outline all available options to eliminate or reduce any gift tax that you are otherwise required to pay.
Analysis and Legal Opinions on the Tax Aspects of Transactions
Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC regularly analyzes and summarizes the tax impact of transactions that are proposed, planned, and have taken place in a variety of settings. The analysis can include the amount of tax that may be imposed, the legality of the transaction given the overall facts, the procedural requirements of the transaction, or the accuracy and potential tax penalties pertaining to a past transaction. Transaction analysis services have been performed for attorneys, CPAs, business owners, shareholders, financial advisors, and corporations exploring merger, acquisition and buyout options. Contact Sunjay Sterling, Attorney at Law, PLLC by email at Info@sunjaylaw.com or call 248-938-5348 to find out how a tax analysis will provide additional insight to your financial or business transactions.
