
Scott P. Greiner
As an experienced tax attorney, Scott counsels clients on how to effectively structure their business, oil and gas, and real estate ventures, as well as insulate wealth from transfer taxes.
Scott has both the knowledge and vision to assist business owners, oil and gas executives and their families in accumulating and preserving long-term business and personal wealth. He provides invaluable guidance on selecting tax-advantageous business entities, identifying opportunities to increase after-tax income, structuring deferred and reverse like-kind exchanges, planning business expansions and acquisitions, and transferring wealth generationally in a tax-wise manner.
As part of his comprehensive business counsel, Scott advises clients on methodologies to attract and retain employees through a variety of tax-deferred compensation arrangements: incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, phantom equity plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. To maximize investment, Scott devises business continuity plans for transitioning businesses to key employees or younger family members and also develops innovative exit strategies in cases of sales to third parties. When needed, Scott is a vigorous advocate for his clients in resolving tax disputes before the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
With an eye towards security and stability, Scott assists clients with their estate and business planning needs through creative income, estate, and gift tax strategies. One area of special interest is the establishment of limited family partnerships and devising estate freezing transactions. He also assists clients with their philanthropic objectives through the formation of private family foundations, as well as charitable lead and charitable remainder trusts.
Scott frequently writes and lectures on a variety of sophisticated tax topics and provides expert witness testimony on tax matters. He has authored extensive course materials for CLE of Colorado, Inc., National Business Institute, Inc., Rocky Mountain Estate Planning Council, Greater Denver Tax Counsel’s Association, ING-Security Life of Denver, and National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. He also has written several articles for The Colorado Lawyer, Denver Business Journal, and Denver Real Estate Journal.
Education
- LL.M., Taxation, University of Denver
- J.D., Tulane University
- B.A., Tulane University
Areas Of Practice
OTHER EXPERIENCE
- Business, Oil and Gas, and Real Estate Income Tax Planning
- Buy-Sell Agreements
- Captive Insurance Companies
- Partnership/LLC/S Corp Tax Planning
- Private Foundations and Charitable Trust Planning
- Expert Witness
- Trust and Estate Administration
- Trust and Estate Planning
AWARDS AND HONORS
- 5280 Magazine, Denver Five Star Wealth Manager, Taxation, 2009 – 2013
- Best Lawyers®, Tax Law, 2022 – 2024; Trusts and Estates, 2023 – 2025
- Law Week Colorado, People’s Choice “Barrister’s Best” Tax Lawyer 2019
- Martindale-Hubbell Rating, AV® Preeminent™ (highest)
Articles and Presentations
- Moderator, “Getting Coloradoans Back to Work,” ccc Webinar, May 2020
- Co-Author, “Proposed Changes to the Federal Tax Law and Their Potential Impact on Existing Estate Plans,” Firm Blog, October 18, 2021
- Author, “2017 Tax Reform: What Business Owners Need to Know,” 2018 Business Law Institute, September 2018
- Author, “Tax Reform Spells Tax Relief For Colorado Businesses,” ColoradoBiz Magazine, January 2018
- Author, “Important Changes To Consider” September 2016
- Author, “3 Reasons to Use a Charitable Remainder Trust as a Tax-Savings Tool,” September 2014
- Author, “How to Deduct Marijuana Expenses,” TheStreet, January 2014
- Author, “Can You Afford to Wait to Sell Your Business?,” Denver Business Journal, May 2012
- Author, “Legislature Comes to Rescue of Conservation Easement Taxpayers,” Colorado Real Estate Journal, August 2011
- Co-author, “Navigating LLC Waters,” The Financial Manager, September/October 2008
- Author, “Tips for Transferring Wealth from Generation to Generation,” Denver Business Journal, September 2008
- Co-Presenter, “Selling Your Business,” Denver Business Journal Table of Experts, October 18, 2019
- Co-Presenter, “The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2019: Some Explanations, Examples, and Impact,” Business Law Institute, September 12, 2019
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- Former Executive Council, Tax Section, Trust Section, and Estate Section, Colorado Bar Association
- Former President, Greater Denver Tax Counsel’s Association
Admissions
- Colorado
- North Dakota