State and Local Tax Practice
In California's aggressive and complex tax climate, doing business increasingly entails taxpayer risk for large enterprises, small businesses, and individuals alike. Bewley, Lassleben & Miller's state and local tax practice provides expertise in responding to the frequently thorny issues that arise in connection with sales/use tax, property tax, city business tax, income tax, and other taxes levied by the State of California or by local municipalities or agencies.
The Firm's California tax practice is respected throughout the United States. Prior to joining the Firm, Joe Vinatieri served as the Chief Deputy to Ernest Dronenburg, a former Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization.
Mr. Vinatieri joins Jason DeMille in our administrative tax law practice, which uniquely emphasizes successful resolution of tax disputes at the audit or administrative appeal level. The Firm's contributions to the development of the law in this area are represented by published decisions of the Board, including In the Matter of the Claims for Refund Under the Sales and Use Tax Law of: Rhodia, Inc., 2002 Cal. Tax LEXIS 257 (Cal. Tax 2002); In the Matters of the Claims for Refund Under the Sales and Use Tax Law of: Hewlett Packard Company, 2000 Cal. Tax LEXIS 131 (Cal. Tax 2000); In re John B. and Christine J. Mumford, 1998 Cal. Tax LEXIS 310 (Cal. Tax 1998); In the Matter of the Petitions for Redetermination of Embassy Suites, Inc., 1996 Cal. Tax LEXIS 210 (Cal. Tax 1996); In the Matter of the Appeal of Powerine Oil Company, 1985 Cal. Tax LEXIS 96 (Cal. Tax 1985); In the Matter of the Claim for Refund Under the Sales and Use Tax Law of: Varian Associates, 1994 Cal. Tax LEXIS 192 (Cal. Tax 1994); and In the Matter of the Petition for Redetermination Under the Sales and Use Tax Law of: LifeCare Services, Inc., 1993 Cal. Tax LEXIS 339 (Cal. Tax 1993). Hewlett Packard Company and Embassy Suites, Inc. are only two of the clients who have benefited from our representation at the administrative level.
When tax disputes cannot be resolved in the administrative-law process, Bewley, Lassleben & Miller's California tax-law practice has likewise led to many precedent-setting, favorable outcomes in trial and appellate courts. In this regard, Jeff Baird has litigated extensively in each of the areas of sales/use, property, franchise, and city business tax, serving as lead trial counsel in Raytheon Co. v. County of Los Angeles (2008) 159 Cal. App. 4th 27; Macy's Dept. Stores, Inc. v. City and County of San Francisco (2006) 143 Cal. App. 4th 1444 (2006); Northrop Grumman Corp. v. County of Los Angeles (2005) 134 Cal. App. 4th 424; Milhous v. Franchise Tax Board (2005) 131 Cal. App. 4th 1260; Hughes Aircraft Company v. County of Orange (2002) 96 Cal. App. 4th 540; Union Oil v. City of Los Angeles (2000) 79 Cal. App. 4th 383; Yamaha v. State Board of Equalization (1998) 19 Cal 4th 1; Chevron USA, Inc. v. State Board of Equalization (1997) 53 Cal. App. 4th 289; and Gray v. Franchise Tax Board (1991) 235 Cal. App. 3d 36.
Jason C. DeMille, Kevin Duthoy, and Richard Dewberry likewise have extensive experience in the litigation of state and local tax matters in California. Mr. Duthoy's appellate expertise was instrumental in the Chevron USA and Hughes Aircraft matters, while Mr. Dewberry was lead counsel in In the Matter of the Appeal of Raymond H. and Margaret R. Berner, 2001 Cal. Tax LEXIS 797 (Cal. Tax 2001).
Our state and local tax practice has resulted in millions of dollars of tax savings and refunds for our clients.
Representative State/Local Tax Clients: The Boeing Company, Costco Wholesale, Federated Department Stores, Northrop Grumman, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Raytheon Company.
