Biography

Michael J. Kitson focuses his practice on complex tax matters, nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations as well as closely held business owners, their families, and other individuals in matters involving business, estate, and tax planning, asset protection, and probate and trust administration. He also represents clients in IRS and State of Michigan tax disputes.

 

Michael works with business owners, their families, and individuals on estate and tax planning and asset protection.  His focus is on preparing estate plans including trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare directives; utilizing techniques to protect the client’s assets; gifting techniques; “estate freeze” strategies; and for business owners and their families, transitioning the business to the next generation. He works with clients who own cottages with succession and tax planning using vehicles like family limited partnerships and limited liability companies to assist with a smooth transition to the next generation.

 

Michael works with clients on full range of post-death estate and trust administration, including the administration and tax planning for decedent's estates, preparation of estate tax returns, and preparation of fiduciary accounts.

 

Michael represents clients in tax disputes with the IRS and the State of Michigan with regard to income, employment, estate, sales and use, and corporate income taxes including audits, appeals, and liability resolution such as offers in compromise.

 

Michael has experience in working with Michigan nonprofit corporations and charitable trusts. He forms the organizations, applies for IRS tax-exempt status, and counsels client how to operate their charitable organization including governance and control, financial and recordkeeping requirements, federal and State filing and compliance procedures. He assists with Michigan licensing matters for solicitation, raffle, bingo and other charitable gaming fundraisers. Michael has worked with public charities, private foundations, and private operating foundations. He has experience with a variety of nonprofit entities, including hospitals, universities and schools, community foundations, organizations with a group ruling exemption, hunting and fishing clubs, and a variety of other nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes.

 

Michael is member of the Saginaw Art Museum Action Art Council.