Douglas W. Schwartz

Douglas Schwartz specializes in tax matters (international, federal, state, and local) as they affect individual and compensation planning; business formations, transactions, and operations; charities, public pension systems, and other tax-exempt entities; and investments in different asset classes and investment vehicles. He has a comprehensive understanding of the complex local, state, and federal laws and regulations that affect personal and business taxes for a wide variety of industries, including entertainment, internet, manufacturing, real estate, sports, nonprofit, and public agencies, and including advice on sales and use tax; Proposition 13; documentary transfer; and local business license taxes in addition to income and franchise taxes.

Representative Work

Tax-Exempt Entities. Represents and advises tax-exempt entities in connection with formation; investment activities and associated "unrelated business income tax" issues; obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status (including section 501(c)(3) charities, 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, 501(c)(25) title holding companies, and 509(a)(3) support organizations); compensation, private benefit, and private inurement issues; fundraising and lobbying issues; private foundation excise taxes and public charity "excess benefit" excise taxes; and affiliations with for-profit entities.

Tax Controversies. Represents clients on a wide variety of tax related matters before numerous regulatory bodies, including the Internal Revenue Service, California Franchise Tax Board, California State Board of Equalization, California County Assessors, and California Employment Development Department.

Business, Corporate, and Transactional Planning. Assists clients with corporate ("C" and "S" corporation, and consolidated return), partnership and LLC taxation, real estate transactions, business mergers and acquisitions, business formations, issuance of equity or debt, exit strategies, and foreign and cross-border tax planning.

Personal Planning. Assists clients in developing executive compensation and employment agreements, partner/shareholder/LLC member buyout agreements, succession planning, and tax planning issues in connection with moving in and out of the U.S. and California.