John F. McDermott

Mr. McDermott has more than 35 years of experience in his primary practice area of taxation, including business and individual income tax, payroll tax, franchise tax, excise tax, ad valorem tax, sales and use tax, and gift and estate tax. Mr. McDermott has assisted tax-exempt organizations in making application for, obtaining, and maintaining status under IRC section 501(c). He is experienced in representing non-profit, tax exempt and charitable entities from initial consultation through organization and obtaining tax status determination letters to dissolution and liquidation. He has represented individuals, business entities, trusts, and estates with controversies before the IRS examinations and appeals, US District Court, US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Louisiana Department of Revenue, the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals, and parish and municipal taxing authorities. He has made applications to the Taxpayer Advocate and has assisted clients in collections, in dealing with tax levies, and in the preparation and presentation of offers-in-compromise, innocent spouse relief, and installment payment arrangements. He has also applied for and obtained private letter rulings. Mr. McDermott is ranked among Louisiana Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in Tax Law. In addition to his primary practice of taxation, Mr. McDermott represents and advises clients in the selection, formation, and governance of business entities, including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. He represents hospitals and physician practice groups with respect to business and tax matters. He designs and drafts executive compensation packages and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. He also does estate planning and handles successions, probate, and estate administration matters. Mr. McDermott served a three-year term on the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council, and in 2017, served a Chair of the Council’s Small Business/Self-Employed and Wage & Investment Subgroup. The IRSAC provides an organized public forum for IRS officials and representatives of the public to discuss key tax administration issues. As an advisory body, the IRSAC suggests operational improvements, offers constructive observations regarding current or proposed IRS policies, programs, and procedures, and advises the Commissioner with respect to issues having substantive effect on federal tax administration. Before pursuing the practice of law, Mr. McDermott practiced in the tax department of an international CPA firm for five years in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Mr. McDermott is a Board Certified Tax Law Specialist, Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, and he is a certified public accountant. He served on the examination committee for the Tax Law Advisory Commission of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization and is an assistant bar examiner for the Louisiana State Bar Association. Mr. McDermott is a member of the professional advisory council for both the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and LSU Foundation Planned Giving. He is an active member of the Baton Rouge and Louisiana State Bar Associations, American Health Lawyers Association, Baton Rouge Estate and Business Planning Council, and The Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is chairman of the board of governors and a trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge.