State and Local Taxation and Incentives

 

State Tax & Economic Incentives Practice

The Premier State & Local Tax Defense and Business Incentive Law Firm in Nebraska
For decades, McGrath North has been the Law Firm businesses turn to when the stakes are highest in State And Local Tax (SALT) matters and Business Expansion Projects. Our team includes attorneys who have designed, drafted, and negotiated much of Nebraska’s modern tax and incentive legislation. We combine deep technical mastery, longstanding relationships with State and Local agencies, and a strategic, business-first approach that consistently produces exceptional results.

Whether resolving a multi-state tax controversy or structuring an expansion project, Business Leaders expect legal counsel who understand the law, the administrative process, the politics, and the economics. We deliver all four.

State & Local Tax Controversy Defense & Resolution

When your Company is facing a tax audit, assessment, refund claim or complex SALT issue, you need legal counsel who have been in these trenches for decades—and who know how to solve the problem efficiently and effectively.

Our SALT team brings:
Unmatched Experience
We have long-term experience working with Nebraska Department of Revenue officials, city and county tax administrators, and multi-state taxing authorities. We know the rules, the procedures, and the unwritten realities that determine outcomes.

Highly Credentialed, Peer-Reviewed Counsel
Our attorneys are consistently recognized for excellence in taxation, administrative law, and litigation. Businesses—ranging from small companies to Fortune 500s—rely on us to protect their interests with precision and judgment.

Strategic, Business-Oriented Solutions
We guide clients through:

• State and local income tax, sales/use tax, and property tax audits
• Assessments, refund claims, managed audits, and negotiated settlements
• Administrative appeals, Tax Commissioner proceedings & tax litigation
• Multi-state nexus, apportionment, transaction structuring & compliance
• Tax planning for complex business models, agreements & reorganizations

We do not simply “defend” an audit. We evaluate the underlying business model, understand your facts, apply deep legal knowledge, and pursue the most efficient and cost-effective resolution available.

Proven Results Across Industries
We have successfully represented clients across nearly every business sector, including: manufacturing, agribusiness, food & beverage, construction, engineering, distribution, financial services, technology, healthcare, retail, professional services, franchise systems and more.

When the outcome matters, Business Leaders and their Trusted Advisors call us.

 

Economic Incentives for Expansion, Investment & Site Selection

Nebraska’s economic incentives—and the incentives across the region—are undergoing major transformation. Companies planning a new facility, business expansion, or long-term growth strategy need advisors who understand not only the statutes, but also the policy drivers behind them.

Our firm has been directly involved in drafting, negotiating, and interpreting Nebraska’s major incentive programs over multiple decades. Few firms in the country have this depth of insight.

A Strategic Partner for Growth
We work with our Business clients to:

• Evaluate multi-state expansion opportunities
• Structure tax credits, refunds, and exemptions
• Design long-term business expansion and capital planning
• Navigate Imagine Nebraska Act and Nebraska Advantage Act legacy agreements, and related programs
• Secure customized incentive packages, workforce programs & local incentives
• Coordinate with economic development agencies, state leadership & local officials
• Perform compliance planning

We understand your business drivers—capital investment, labor costs, long-term tax structure, permitting timelines, and political/agency dynamics—and help ensure your incentive strategy fully aligns with your growth strategy.

Why Clients Choose Us for Incentives

• Decades of agency relationships built on professionalism and trust
• Hands-on involvement in designing and drafting the incentive statutes your company will rely on
• Deep understanding of how programs are interpreted, administered & audited
• A business-centered approach that helps ensure each incentive maximizes real economic value

Many Companies only pursue a fraction of the incentives available to them. Our goal is to ensure you receive every benefit your project qualifies for—on the front end and throughout the life of the agreement.

What You Should Expect From Your Legal Counsel

When selecting legal counsel for SALT or Economic Incentive matters, we recommend verifying:

Experience That Actually Matters
Does your legal counsel have long-term, substantive experience with SALT principles, administrative procedure, and multistate tax and incentive issues?

Longstanding Relationships With Key Decision-Makers
Do they have credibility and trusted working relationships with State and Local government agency officials?

Actual Involvement in Drafting the Law
Have they helped design the tax and incentive statutes your Company must now interpret and comply with?

Practical, Business-Based Advice
Are they evaluating the merit of your situation and presenting clear paths forward—not theoretical answers?

A Track Record of Real Results
Can they demonstrate successful resolutions for audits, appeals, incentives, negotiations, and disputes?

Looked to by State and Local Organizations
Have they been looked to by State and Local Organizations, who know the local scene best, for assisting the State and Local Chambers of Commerce on State Tax and Incentive Policy matters and by State and Local organizations for presenting these topics at Continuing Education programs?

Looked to by Other National Law Firms
Have they been looked to by other National Law Firms who want to partner with Nebraska Local SALT Counsel to assist on the SALT matters for their national clients?

Active Membership in the premier National State Tax Organization
Have they been active membership in the Council On State Taxation (COST), the leading State Tax association for Companies and State Tax Practitioners around the country?

At McGrath North, the answer is “Yes” across the board.

Guides & Resources for Business Leaders and their Trusted Advisors

We provide detailed, practical resources addressing key issues and opportunities which Companies face and seek. These are included in the Insights and Resources sections of this website Practice Area.

The Bottom Line—Results Realized

We have been fortunate to be trusted by Companies and their other Trusted Advisors from a wide variety of business sectors and industries, including:
• Headquarters • Retail • Telecommunications • Consumer Product Manufacturing • Human Resources • IT Development • Franchise • Health Care • Industrial Manufacturing • Security • Agribusiness • Business Services • Professional • R & D • Food and Beverage • Distribution Centers • Education • Construction • Technology Licensing • Personal Services • Consumer Services • Renewable Energy • Insurance • Data Centers • Transportation • Banking • Leasing • Data Processing • Processing • Financial Services • Warehousing • Aircraft Services

If your Company is facing a SALT controversy—or planning a Business Expansion—you need legal counsel who understand the law, the agencies, the process, the business landscape and your business sector or industry.

That’s what we provide.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your goals and help you chart the most effective path forward.