--- title: Robert Russell Home description: Expert tax counsel for individuals and businesses, specializing in federal, California, and international tax planning, controversy, and advisory services. --- Robert Russell Tax Law [Inquire →](https://www.robertrussell.tax#contact) # Robert Russell Tax Law 01 [Counsel](https://www.robertrussell.tax#statement) 02 [Practice Areas](https://www.robertrussell.tax#practice) 03 [About](https://www.robertrussell.tax#about) 04 [Recent Work](https://www.robertrussell.tax#work) ![Robert Russell Cropped-1](https://www.robertrussell.tax/hubfs/Robert%20Russell%20Cropped-1.png) ![monogram](https://www.robertrussell.tax/hubfs/monogram.svg) scroll ↓ 01 - Counsel ## Sophisticated tax counsel for *complex federal, California, and international matters.* Practical, experienced counsel for businesses and individuals navigating complex tax disputes, transactions, and planning matters. The practice focuses on tax controversy and on tax advisory and planning, with experience spanning federal, California, and international tax matters. > Robert Russell’s tax practice is informed by a background in both law and accounting, as well as prior government experience and an LL.M. in Taxation. He also serves as law school faculty member and frequently presents on tax matters. expertise 02 — Practice ## Advisory, planning, and controversy. The work divides into tax controversy and tax advisory and planning, across federal, California, and international matters. Clients include closely held businesses, partnerships and other pass-through entities, businesses engaged in cross-border activities, and the individual owners, partners, and shareholders behind them. ### Tax Advisory & Planning Practical advice on the decisions before numbers go on a tax return: entity structure, partnership and pass-through taxation, transactions and liquidity events, state and local questions, and cross-border structuring: - BUSINESS & TRANSACTIONAL PLANNING - CHOICE OF ENTITY - PARTNERSHIPS & PASS-THROUGHS - M&A AND LIQUIDITY EVENTS - NEXUS, APPORTIONMENT & RESIDENCY - CROSS-BORDER STRUCTURING - RULING REQUESTS ### Tax Controversy Representing taxpayers in disputes with the IRS and the California taxing authorities, from the first information document request through examination, administrative appeals, and litigation—including international tax controversies and transfer pricing matters: - IRS EXAMINATIONS - BBA PARTNERSHIP AUDITS - INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSIES - TRANSFER PRICING - VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURES - IRS ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS - IRS COLLECTIONS - TAX LITIGATION \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - CA INCOME TAX AUDITS - CA RESIDENCY AUDITS - CA OFFICE OF TAX APPEALS ![Robert Russell Formal](https://www.robertrussell.tax/hubfs/Robert%20Russell%20Formal.png) Robert M. Russell, Esq. · J.D. · LL.M. (Tax) 03 — About ## Practical solutions to complex tax problems. Robert Russell advises businesses, investors, and individuals on complex domestic and international tax matters. His practice includes tax planning, cross-border transactions, business structuring, tax advisory matters, and tax controversies. He works with clients to identify practical solutions to complex tax problems and to navigate an increasingly sophisticated tax environment. In addition to many years advising clients in private practice, Robert has served in several different government roles, including the Internal Revenue Service's Large Business & International Division, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Tax Policy, and the Joint Committee on Taxation of the United States Congress. That experience provides a distinctive perspective on the development, interpretation, administration, and enforcement of federal tax law. At the IRS, Robert worked on multinational tax issues and large-business examinations. At Treasury, he prepared technical explanations supporting U.S. tax treaty negotiations and international tax policy initiatives. At the Joint Committee on Taxation, he advised Congress on proposed tax legislation and tax policy matters. He has also testified before the House Small Business Committee on international aspects of tax simplification and reform. Having advised clients in private practice and worked within the principal federal institutions involved in tax administration and policymaking, Robert brings both practical and governmental perspectives to client matters. Whether advising on a transaction, evaluating a planning opportunity, addressing a compliance issue, or resolving a tax dispute, he helps clients understand not only the technical requirements of the law but also the broader framework in which tax decisions are made. Robert teaches in the University of California, Irvine Graduate Tax Program and previously taught International Tax Controversies at Georgetown University Law Center. He provides pro bono service through the Public Law Center's Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic in Santa Ana and was recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Volunteer by ONEOC. Robert is admitted to practice law in California and the District of Columbia. ## Government, academy, and the bar. Government Experience - U.S. Congress: Joint Committee on TaxationVisiting Counsel · 2015 - U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Tax Policy · 2014–2015 - Internal Revenue Service Large Business & International · 2009–2012 Small Business / Self-Employed · 2007–2009 - U.S. House of Representatives Testimony · Small Business Committee · 2016 Teaching & Education - UC Irvine Law Graduate Tax Program Adjunct Faculty · Current - Georgetown University Law Center Adjunct Professor · Int'l Tax Controversies - Harvard Kennedy School Certificate · Comparative Tax Administration - Georgetown University Law Center LL.M. Taxation · Certificate in International Tax - Chicago-Kent College of Law J.D. Service & Recognition - Federal Bar Association Past Chair · Section on Taxation - AICPA International Tax Technical Resource Panel Past Chair - Public Law Center · Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Pro Bono Counsel · Santa Ana - ONEOC Outstanding Volunteer 2024 - Bar Admissions California & District of Columbia ## Recent Highlights 04 — Speaking, Writing, Testimony April 2026 ### Presenter · American Bar Association Taxing the Forecast: A Closer Look at Prediction Markets March 2026 ### Presenter · California Lawyers Association Corporate and Passthrough Entity Committee The BBA Regime—Attorneys Working with Accountants to Best Serve Clients September 2025 ### Presenter · Internal Revenue Service Nationwide Tax Forum Representing Businesses with No Records July 2025 ### Proposed Changes to the IRS's Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures Co-author · Tax Notes Federal & Tax Notes International 2025 · IRS Forum ### Representing Businesses with No Records Presenter · IRS Nationwide Tax Forum May 2025 · ABA ### How to Represent Taxpayers with Differing Beliefs Than Your Own Moderator · ABA Section of Taxation May Tax Meeting December 2024 ### Moderator · Beverly Hills Bar Association 2025 Anticipated U.S. Tax Policies September 2024 ### Featured Speaker · IRS Nationwide Tax Forum Best Practices for Responding to IRS Collection Notices 2024 ### Outstanding Volunteer Recognition ONEOC · For Pro Bono Service to Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic 05 — Inquire ## For matters that benefit from a careful look. Office Robert Russell Tax Law, PC 23807 Aliso Creek Rd Suite 100 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Direct [Robert@RobertRussell.tax](mailto:Robert@RobertRussell.tax) Bar Admissions California Washington, DC Initial Consultation A first conversation is typically thirty minutes, scheduled by email. Please describe the matter in two or three sentences. Robert Russell Tax Law [Back to top ↑](https://www.robertrussell.tax#top) © 2026