George Buffington

George Buffington has a broad tax and business practice. He provides guidance to corporations (both C Corporations and S Corporations), partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships and individuals primarily in the personal services businesses, including architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, physicians, real estate brokers, investment managers, consultants and sales organizations.

George has an AV 5.0 Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, based on his very high legal ability and very high ethical standards as judged by his peers. He also has been included as a Super Lawyer in taxation for San Francisco. George is a graduate of George Washington University Law School with honors and has taught retirement plan classes at Golden Gate University Law School. He also is a member of the board of directors of the Small Business Council of America, an advocate in Washington D.C. for small businesses.

George is a Certified Specialist in Taxation Law under California’s legal specialization program. His practice focuses on the following areas:

Business Ownership Planning

George helps clients with the formation and operation of business entities, ownership transition and succession, family transfers, purchases and sales of businesses, mergers and acquisitions and the resolution of disputes among owners. He has represented many small and medium size companies in a wide array of tax and business matters.

Compensation and Equity Planning

George also advises clients on compensation and retirement planning matters, including deferred compensation arrangements (409A), executive compensation plans, equity compensation plans, stock option plans, supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs), severance pay plans, owner-oriented pension, profit sharing, cash balance and other retirement plans with the objectives of optimizing benefits for owners and minimizing costs and complexity.

Defending Government Audits

George helps clients defend and resolve audits of income tax issues by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), employee and independent contractor controversies with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), sales and use taxes with the California State Board of Equalization (SBE) and reassessment of real property taxes with California County Assessors’ offices.

Estate Planning

George helps clients plan for transfers of businesses, real property interests and other assets to family members, prepare customized estate plans, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills and powers of attorney and beneficiary designations for retirement plans, IRAs and insurance policies.