Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Fran Muracca's practice is concentrated on advising entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and privately held business owners on a range of federal tax and business structuring, transaction, and disposition issues. This includes counseling as to the form of business entity and the structure of business acquisitions, venture capital initiatives, and dispositions to minimize the federal income tax consequences to the affected entity or its principals. In addition, he advises affluent families and business owners on wealth transfer tax and succession planning alternatives, including maximizing wealth through liquidity and diversification initiatives.

Fran also actively represents clients in federal tax controversies at the administrative dispute resolution level before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and in litigation before the United States Tax Court. He has successfully defended regional and national private business owners against challenges raised by the IRS involving unreasonable compensation, the valuation of nonmarketable business interests for estate and gift tax purposes, constructive dividends, and tax-motivated transactions.

Fran also has successfully defended an eastern regional health care provider in a challenge brought by the IRS regarding the use of the cash method of accounting by professional health service organizations and a determination made by the IRS that medical supplies constitute merchandise held for resale requiring inventory accounting. This case represented one of several controlled "test" cases in the United States pursued by the IRS on the issues and reviewed by the National Office of the IRS and the Industry Special Procedures Division of the IRS.

Fran is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of tax law and has received the honor of being named as a "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer." He serves on the national board of advisors for Tax Management, Inc., a subsidiary of the Bureau of National Affairs, and on the board of directors of Lake Erie College. He is also a contributing author to Tax Management's Corporate and Business Planning Journal and a frequent speaker on federal tax planning, controversy, and business planning strategies. Martindale-Hubbell has rated him as AV, which recognizes him at the highest levels of skill, integrity, and professional excellence.

Fran is a member of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association. He is on the council of advisors of the Saint Vincent College School of Humanities and Fine Arts and is active in other civic areas as well, including the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Circle of Care.

Areas of Practice

• Private Equity
• Tax
• Private Equity/Tax
• Tax Audits & Controversies
• Wealth Management

West Practice Categories

Banking & Finance Law, Corporate Taxation, Estate & Gift Taxation, Excise Taxes, Income Taxation, International Taxation, Lending & Secured Transactions, Payroll Taxes, Property (Ad Valorem) Taxes, Sales & Use Taxes, Taxation Law, Venture Capital

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania

Education

• Duquesne University

Address

500 Grant Street, Suite 4500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2514

Phones

1.412.394.7939 (Business Phone)

Faxes

1.412.394.7959 (Business Fax)

Emails

Contact Us (Business Email)

Websites

http://www.jonesday.com