Our tax controversy practice includes client representation in federal, state and local tax matters. As a tax attorney, Mr. West has represented over two hundred companies and individuals across the country in Federal tax litigation, administrative appeals, and audit settlement.
Mr. West’s litigated cases include the successful litigation of a two hundred million dollar proposed tax deficiency. He is a tax attorney whose experience and expertise have built a recognized national reputation for results in a broad range of civil and criminal tax matters.
He has contested §1031 exchanges; VEBA union issues; FBAR and failure to file foreign tax; stock redemptions under §317; hedging loss deductibility; coal royalties; reasonable compensation; estate valuation issues with an family limited partnership (FLP); capital vs. ordinary loss deduction; ordinary vs. catastrophic loss deduction; business vs. hobby loss deduction; personal vs. business loss; late S elections; and property settlement vs. alimony.
He has filed Private Letter Rulings involving type B and C reorganizations, type D Spin-Off and Split-Off reorganizations; §1031 exchanges (forward and reverse); and defective S elections.
As a practicing tax attorney, he has successfully contested state tax cases in FL, NY, GA, MA, PA and OH involving income tax; sales and use tax; intangible tax; property tax; documentary stamp tax; and state estate tax.
Mr. West was awarded an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review. The AV rating represents a Legal Ability Rating of Very High to Preeminent and an Ethical Standards Rating of Very High. Less than two percent of all of the attorneys in the United States have obtained an AV rating.
John West is a Board Certified Tax Attorney. The Florida Bar has designated that a Board Certified attorney is a specialist who has obtained the highest level of competency and experience. The Board Certification in Tax includes federal and state tax issues involving income, estate, gift and other taxes. Less than 250 attorneys in the entire state of Florida are currently Board Certified in Tax law.
John West is also a Florida Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. West is also Lead Counsel rated. The Lead Counsel Rating is a Quality-Assurance rating founded in 1997. Attorneys must qualify for the rating based on Experience and Reputation. Mr. West was again recognized this year as a Top Lawyer (highest ranking) in Biz(941) magazine.
