John Saves Tax Client from Franchise Tax Board

John Goralka, Sacramento Estate Planning Attorney, Saves Tax Client from Franchise Tax Board

John challenged the California Franchise Tax Board for a client and prevailed!

Our Client received $2.9 million two weeks after changing his state of residency from California to Colorado. These funds were deferred compensation and retirement payments related to many years of services as a highly compensated employee for a national company while a California resident.

Saved Our Client $1 Million

The California Franchise Tax Board asserted that the funds were related to the services performed as an employee as a California resident and taxable to California. After an 18 month battle, The Goralka Law Firm was able to establish that Federal Law precluded California from taxing these funds because my client was now a Colorado resident. The California Franchise Tax Board withdrew its notice as a result of the appeal and protest. The tax, penalties and interest saved amounted to approximately $1 million. 

Sacramento Estate Planning, Tax Planning and Business Attorney.

I’m John Goralka, a Sacramento Estate Planning, Tax Planning and Business Attorney at the Goralka Law Firm, P.C. If you have an estate, tax or business situation needing legal help, contact our team for experienced and friendly advice. You can contact us at 916-440-8036. Alternatively, you can use our convenient online contact form here on our website. We listen, and you can have your questions answered, your case evaluated, and explore your options for getting the legal help you need. 

There are almost 200,000 attorneys in the state of California, and fewer than 100 of those attorneys are State Bar Specialists in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate and State Bar Specialists in Taxation.  I am one of the few attorneys with both critical specializations.  I passed the California CPA examination and am a former income tax auditor and hearing officer.  I am also recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News and World Reports and by Best Lawyers and hold an AV rating from Martindale which is the premiere rating organization for attorneys.  The AV rating is the highest possible rating for legal experience and for legal ethics.  

For help with estate planning, business planning or tax planning, please contact our office.