Phil Olsen

Philip S. Olsen

phone: 617-589-3826
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J.D., Suffolk University Law School

B.A., Stonehill College

PRACTICE & FOCUS AREA

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Phil is a tax attorney focusing on state and local tax consulting and litigation. He has over 30 years of experience litigating and resolving major tax controversies before state supreme and appeals courts and administrative boards. While he has a solid track record of litigating cases, he has also successfully and discretely resolved hundreds of cases short of trial. His experience spans just about every area of state and local tax, including corporate income, sales and use, personal income, estate, real and personal property, and unclaimed property. Phil also represents owners and government agencies in property tax valuation and exemption cases.

Before entering private practice, Phil served as a senior trial attorney and litigation supervisor for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue where he represented the Department in many landmark tax cases. This experience gives him an broad perspective when representing his clients before tax authorities.

RESULTS

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  • Obtained manufacturing classification for energy client resulting in annual property tax savings in excess of $1 million.
  • Successfully represented numerous high-net-worth individuals who changed their domicile from Massachusetts to other states.
  • Eliminated a $30 million sales and use tax assessment against a financial services company by demonstrating that the Department of Revenue’s sampling methodology was flawed.
  • Successfully defended multi-national pharmaceutical, technology, media and manufacturing corporations in income, sales and property tax disputes.
  • Reversed a Department of Revenue denial and obtained a $1.5 million Brownfields tax credit for a real estate development client.
  • Obtained a protective order in Massachusetts Superior Court prohibiting the Department of Revenue from obtaining confidential customer information of a national distributor.
  • Negotiated local property tax agreements and litigated reductions for owners of commercial, industrial, energy and hospitality properties.

 

REPORTED CASES

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CREDENTIALS

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Distinctions:

  • Top Lawyer, Boston Magazine, 2021
  • Best Lawyers in America©, 2017-2024
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004, 2021-2023

Admitted:

  • Massachusetts

Member:

  • Boston Bar Association (Past Co-Chair of State and Local Tax Committee and Tax Controversy Committee)
  • Massachusetts Bar Association (Past Member and Past Chair of State and Local Tax Committee)
  • International Lawyers Network

Speaking Engagements:

Phil is a frequent public speaker on state and local tax and litigation issues. He has addressed organizations such as the Council of State Taxation, Tax Executives Institute, Institute for Professionals in Taxation, Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants.

MORE THAN A LAWYER

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When Phil is out of the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, running and coaching youth baseball.  He is also a member of the Bentley University MST Tax Advisory Board.

News & Insights
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Massachusetts Taxation and DOR Practice Guide, authored chapter for MCLE practice guide

2023 Massachusetts State Tax Update, panelist for HalfMoon Education webinar

Annual Massachusetts Tax Update, panelist for BBA program

Massachusetts State and Local Tax 2022 Quarterly Updates, authored articles for Bloomberg Tax

Massachusetts State and Local Tax 2021 Quarterly Updates, authored articles for Bloomberg Tax

How COVID-19 is Affecting Property Tax Appeals, authored article for Banker & Tradesman

Tax treatment of multi-state use of software before SJC, quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

Massachusetts 2020 Tax Litigation Summary, authored article for Bloomberg Daily Tax Report

Annual Massachusetts Tax Update, panelist for Boston Bar Association webinar

Awards
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