Strategic Tax Planning for Businesses and Investors
Businesses operate in an increasingly complex tax environment shaped by evolving federal, state, and local tax laws. Effective tax planning is essential for minimizing risk, maximizing profitability, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
At Manning Fulton, our business and corporate tax attorneys provide sophisticated tax counsel to companies, business owners, and investors across a wide range of industries. We help clients structure transactions, navigate tax regulations, and develop practical strategies that align with their long-term financial and operational goals.
Our tax attorneys deliver comprehensive transactional tax planning, helping businesses manage tax obligations while pursuing growth opportunities.
Manning Fulton’s tax team advises clients on complex tax issues that arise in everyday business operations, strategic transactions, and investment activities. Our attorneys provide guidance that minimizes exposure and maximizes available tax advantages.
Our experience includes:
Proactive tax planning is critical to protecting assets and ensuring that business transactions are structured in the most tax-efficient manner possible. The United States tax code is among the most complex regulatory frameworks businesses must navigate. Without careful planning, tax obligations and compliance risks can significantly impact financial performance.
Our business tax planning services include:
- Transactional tax planning for complex business deals
- Business formation and choice of entity analysis
- Ongoing operational tax planning
- Mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, divestitures, and liquidations
- Tax planning for tax-exempt organizations and nonprofit entities
As part of our planning services, we assist clients with:
- Structuring tax-incentive transactions involving tax-exempt bonds and tax credits
- Preparing tax opinions and disclosure documents for financings, securities offerings, and investments
- Requesting advance rulings and technical guidance from the IRS
- Preparing documentation required to establish and maintain tax-exempt status
Including Section 336(e) and 338(h)(10) elections.
Including stock options and deferred compensation.
Including sales and use tax.
Partner with Manning Fulton
Manning Fulton’s Tax Practice Group brings extensive experience and leadership in the field of tax law. Our attorneys regularly advise clients on income, estate, gift, employment, excise, sales and use, and property taxes.
Our team includes attorneys who:
- Previously served in the Office of Chief Counsel of the IRS
- Hold advanced degrees in taxation
- Are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
- Have served on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax Council, including leadership positions
Whether you are structuring a business transaction, planning for growth, or evaluating tax implications of a strategic decision, Manning Fulton provides experienced and practical tax counsel.
Who We Serve
Who We Serve
Because we work across multiple industries, we understand the unique tax considerations that affect different types of organizations and business structures.
This combination of legal and financial expertise allows us to address highly complex tax matters with practical, business-focused solutions. Our tax attorneys also represent a diverse client base, including:
Corporations & Privately Held Businesses
Businesses managing tax planning, compliance, transactions, or entity-related tax issues.
Partnerships & Limited Liability Companies
Entities needing guidance on tax structure, operations, ownership, or transactions.
Financial Institutions & Investment Funds
Banks, lenders, funds, and investors navigating tax-related business matters.
Government Entities & Housing Authorities
Public entities needing guidance on tax, financing, or related legal issues.
Nonprofit & Tax-Exempt Organizations
Organizations managing tax-exempt status, compliance, governance, or charitable activities.
Professional Corporations & Sole Proprietorships
Professionals and business owners handling tax planning, entity, or operational matters.
Individuals, Families, Estates & Trusts
Clients seeking guidance on personal, estate, gift, trust, or wealth-related tax issues.
Trustees, Fiduciaries & Personal Representatives
Fiduciaries managing tax responsibilities tied to estates, trusts, or administration.
Tax Law Team
Manning Fulton has one of the most established tax law practices in North Carolina.
Accolades
In a profession often measured by accolades, we remain focused on what endures: sound judgment, responsive service, and counsel that stands the test of time.
Best Law Firms: Metropolitan Tier 1
The firm secured 26 ranked practice areas, with 19 of those achieving the highest Tier 1 status.
2026
Recognized in:
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business Organizations
- Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Commercial Finance Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor & Employment
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation – Real Estate
- Litigation & Controversy – Tax
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
Best Lawyers in America®
Twenty-seven Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® across a broad range of practice areas.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Eugene F. Dauchert, Jr. - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Randolph M. Fletcher - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law; Tax Law
- Dieter Mauch - Employment Law Management; Labor and Employment Litigation
- Charles L. Steel IV - Corporate Law; Tax Litigation and Controversy; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Reich L. Welborn - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Health Care Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Real Estate Law
- Holly B. Martin - Trusts and Estates
- Joseph B. Bass - Real Estate Law
- Stephen T. Byrd - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Alison R. Cayton - Commercial Finance Law; Real Estate Law
- William S. Cherry III - Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Employment Law Management; Insurance Law; Insurance Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation
- Sandra Martin Clark - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- James H. Clarke - Corporate Law; Healthcare Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Jessica L. Elliott - Real Estate Law
- William B. Gwyn, Jr. - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Commercial Finance Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
- Thomas I. Lyon - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law
- Barry D. Mann - Real Estate Law
- Michael T. Medford - Antitrust Law; Appellate Practice; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Antitrust Litigation; Insurance Litigation; Labor and Employment Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy
- Charles H. Munn - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
- Kevin A. Prakke - Business Organizations; Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities Regulation
- Natalie M. Rice - Commercial Litigation
- Douglas J. Short - Real Estate Law
- William C. Smith, Jr. - Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Construction Litigation
- Ritchie W. Taylor - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Franchise Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Jessica B. Vickers - Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law
- Jennifer L. Weaver - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trust and Estates
- Judson A. Welborn - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Franchise Law; Banking and Finance Litigation; Construction Litigation; Land Use and Zoning Litigation; Real Estate Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Eight Manning Fulton attorneys were recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
2027
Recognized attorneys
- Matthew Muntean - Business Organizations; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- J. Patrick Bailey, Jr. - Real Estate Law
- Angela C. Baldwin - Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Trusts and Estates
- Cecilia Barreca - Business Organizations
- Chris N. Bobby - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Tax Law
- Lawrence D. Graham - Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
- Corinne E. O’Reilly - Business Organizations
- B. Zack Taylor, Jr. - Real Estate Law
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