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Shira M. Helstrom

Associate

Shira M. Helstrom helps tax-exempt organizations navigate the complex state and federal tax rules and regulations applicable to them. She advises nonprofit organizations on tax compliance, corporate governance and regulatory matters. Clients include both large and small public charities and private foundations, trade associations and social welfare organizations, including corporate foundations, supporting organizations, scientific and medical research organizations, educational organizations, humanitarian organizations, religious and other nonprofit organizations.

Extended Profile

Shira counsels clients from inception through the life of the organization. Clients rely on her for advice on formation, applying for and maintaining tax-exempt status, corporate governance, charitable solicitations and fundraising, lobbying and political activity, intermediate sanctions, related party transactions and compensation related issues, and an array of other legal issues affecting nonprofits. She also assists clients with major corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, substantial asset sales and dissolution.

Prior to earning her LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law, Shira served as a law clerk to Judge J. Curtis Joyner at the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She subsequently joined a large international law firm in New York where she represented for-profit clients during disputes with the IRS. She continues this work with her nonprofit clients, representing them in front of the IRS and during attorney general investigations.

Shira is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Children’s Law Center in Washington, DC.

Education

  • New York University School of Law, 2010, LL.M., Taxation
  • Temple University, Beasley School of Law, 2008, J.D., Summa Cum Laude
  • Muhlenberg College, 2000, B.A., Cum Laude

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • US Tax Court

Clerkships

  • Clerkship to Judge J. Curtis Joyner of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Awards and Affiliations

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Tax, Law360 (2017)

Member, Exempt Organizations Committee, Section of Taxation, American Bar Association

Member, Exempt Organizations Committee, Taxation Section, District of Columbia Bar

Publications

1/8/2019 - DC Requires Nonprofits to Renew District Tax Exemptions

9/10/2018 - A Look at New IRS Guidance for Nonprofits Calculating UBTI, Law360

9/6/2018 - IRS Issues Guidance on Calculating UBTI Under New Section 512(a)(6)

7/26/2018 - IRS Will No Longer Require Most Types of Tax-Exempt Organizations to Disclose Donor Names, Addresses

6/27/2018 - IRS Simplifies Tools For Donors To Tax-Exempt Organizations

6/21/2018 - IRS Consolidates Guidance on Deductibility, Reliance Issues for Grantors and Contributors

3/16/2018 - Tax-Exempt Organization Restructurings Made Easier, Law360

3/9/2018 - Tax-Exempt Organization Restructurings Made Easier

2/8/2016 - New Legislation Makes Important Changes to Social Welfare Organizations

10/5/2015 - IRS Publishes Final Regulations for Equivalency Determinations

9/29/2015 - IRS Provides Guidance on Mission-Related Investments by Private Foundations

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