Tax Policy

Overview

Blank Rome’s tax policy team is comprised of legal, public policy and strategic communications professionals who represent business and other interests before Congress and the Administration on a wide range of tax matters.  Blank Rome Government Relations represents Fortune 500 companies, banks and insurance firms, professional trade associations, state and municipal governments, and not-for-profit entities before the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees.  We have advised clients with respect to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 and other landmark tax legislation.   In addition, we frequently represent clients in rule-making proceedings and shape and advance tax policy objectives before the U.S. Treasury Department, including the Internal Revenue Service. 

Chemical

Chemical and pharmaceutical organizations worldwide face the challenge of constantly changing regulatory, economic, and legal environments, all of which are impacted by the complexity of federal, state, local, and international tax laws.  Blank Rome professionals possess a unique combination of governmental, financial, legal, and industry-specific experience that enables us to provide proactive tax advice that delivers value to our clients. 

Energy

Blank Rome's tax policy group has significant experience in assisting energy companies, public utilities, and independent power to navigate the panoply of state and federal legislative and regulatory issues that impact the tax aspects of energy industry transactions.

ERISA/Retirement Security

Blank Rome’s professionals have long-standing working relationships with the federal agencies responsible for the administration and enforcement of the pension laws, including the IRS, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation.  Drawing on our substantive expertise and hands-on experience, we work on benefits-related policies and legislation with members of Congress and the Executive Branch on behalf of financial institutions, trade associations, insurers, and other clients from the benefits community.  We also keep clients informed of legislative and regulatory developments and trends and help them evaluate how potential policy changes would impact their employee benefit plans and arrangements.  Blank Rome Government Relations was actively involved in the passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Financial Services

Blank Rome has substantial experience in many of the regulatory, tax and public policy issues facing financial services firms such as commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers, hedge funds and private equity funds. We have a similarly extensive background in matters relating to the regulation and taxation of financial products, including over-the-counter derivatives such as interest rate swaps, credit derivatives and equity derivatives and a broad range of insurance products.

Housing/Real Estate

Blank Rome has considerable experience providing representation and strategic advice on public policy, legislative issues and business development in the real estate and affordable housing arena.  Blank Rome professionals have a distinguished track record of leadership and are well known and respected in the community development field.  We have formidable experience in representing our clients’ interests before the U.S. Congress, the Administration, and the array of state and local regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over real estate and housing issues.  Our clients have included private developers, municipal authorities, state financing agencies, public housing agencies, nonprofit organizations, and joint ventures between nonprofit organizations and for-profit entities.  We serve clients who specialize in the construction and development of affordable housing through the use of federal new market, low- income, and historic preservation tax credits.  In a very competitive environment for scarce resources, Blank Rome has successfully assisted companies in obtaining these tax credits.