For Businesses

Every business owes tax somewhere, and the exposure rarely sits in one place. Income tax filings, payroll withholding, state and sales tax, and the entity structure the company chose years ago all create obligations that can turn into a dispute.

Whiteford represents companies of every size, from a first-year startup to an established multistate operation. The work runs from choosing and maintaining an entity structure, through planning for changing tax rules, to defending the company when the IRS or a state tax authority questions a return.

When a dispute does arrive, the sequence matters. Getting representation in place early keeps an IRS audit inside its original scope, preserves privileged communications, and keeps a civil examination from drifting toward allegations of wrongdoing.

Where business tax exposure becomes personal

Payroll tax is the clearest example. Amounts withheld from employee wages are trust fund money, and when they are not paid over the IRS can assess the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty against the owners, officers, or managers it identifies as responsible persons. The company's problem becomes a personal one, collectible from personal accounts and property.