Closely held businesses
S corporations and owner-managed companies
IRS questions may involve shareholder compensation, distributions, services performed, payroll reporting, and supporting business records.
Who We Help
Support for employers and the professionals who advise them.
GWD works with businesses facing federal tax questions involving compensation, employee benefits, payroll, and IRS examinations. We also collaborate with professional firms when a matter needs focused controversy or accounting-review experience.
Middle-market employers
Organizations with distributed payroll and HR data
Employment tax examinations can require records drawn from payroll, accounts payable, HR, benefits, finance, and tax systems.
Private equity and transaction-active companies
Historical compensation and payroll exposure
Diligence or post-transaction review may surface issues involving executive pay, equity, contractors, or prior payroll reporting. GWD’s role is defined-scope federal tax review and controversy support.
Technology and growth companies
Equity compensation and workforce questions
IRS matters may involve award-related tax reporting, employee classification, deferred compensation, withholding, or records across a mobile workforce.
Tax-exempt organizations
Executive-pay and benefits tax matters
GWD can review federal tax controversy issues involving executive compensation, benefits, and related tax reporting. ERISA, fiduciary, and employment-law matters require the appropriate legal or benefits specialist.
Professional firms
CPAs, EAs, attorneys, and tax practices
Defined-scope second opinions, technical review, IRS examination support, and case strategy consultation on a client matter, with the referring professional’s role agreed in advance.
When an issue surfaces
Often, the records are spread across teams.
Payroll data, agreements, Forms W-2 and 1099, tax returns, accounting workpapers, and benefit records may not tell the same story. GWD reviews relevant materials to help the client and its advisors understand the IRS issue and the evidence behind the position.
A focused federal tax engagement can work alongside a company’s CPA, EA, legal counsel, payroll provider, and benefits professionals.
GWD’s work does not replace those professionals or take over payroll, plan administration, legal advice, or management responsibilities.
Professional collaboration
Keep roles and responsibilities clear.
The engagement defines the client, deliverables, authorization, communication, and how GWD works with existing advisors.