Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C. has announced that five of the firm's attorneys have been recognized as 2022 "Top Lawyers" by Boston Magazine. The publication acknowledged 1,200 of the region's Top Lawyers in their December issue. The Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers attorneys recognized as "Top Lawyers" are: Karen McKenna was recognized in the Trusts and Estate Law category; William R. Rodgers was recognized in the Business Law category; Patricia Saint James was recognized in the Divorce and Family Law category; Emily Shanahan was recognized in the Civil Law Litigation category; Melissa Sydney was recognized in the Trusts and Estate Law category. This is the second year that Boston Magazine has recognized the region's most respected attorneys. To compile the list of the 1,200 top lawyers, Boston Magazine invited attorneys in the area to nominate up to three of their peers in a select number of specialties. The top vote-getters in each specialty were then reviewed by an advisory board of select lawyers, chosen for their credentials and the high number of votes they received.

Massachusetts voters recently passed the so-called "Fair Share Amendment" (also known as the "Millionaires' Tax") to amend the state constitution. This new rule imposes a 4% additional tax on taxable incomes over $1 million (as indexed for inflation). It is important to note that capital gains and irregular income, such as the sale of a home or business, count as income for purposes of determining the tax. The tax will apply to all taxable income received by residents of Massachusetts, or on any income generated in Massachusetts by those who live outside the Commonwealth. High income earners, or those who expect to temporarily have high incomes, may be able to reduce their tax liability with careful planning. Planning Opportunities Trusts. It may be possible to change the residence of a Massachusetts trust to a state with lower or no income tax, like New Hampshire or Florida. Converting grantor trusts to nongrantor trusts, particularly when situated outside of Massachusetts, or using Incomplete grantor trusts ("INGs") can also be advantageous. Accelerating Income. The new tax is imposed on taxable incomes received on or after January 1, 2023; closing sales in 2022 will avoid the tax. Change Residency. If income is generated from sources outside of Massachusetts, moving to a state with low income tax environments could result in significant savings. File Separately. The $1 million threshold is not increased for married couples filing jointly, but each member of a married couple filing separately has his or her own $1 million threshold. Defer Income. It may be possible to structure certain sales such that the income is spread out over several years, possibly avoiding imposition of the tax.

Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers has been named among the Best Law Firms in America by U.S. News-Best Lawyers® for 2023. The firm has been ranked as one of the country's Best Law Firms for Tax Law and Trusts & Estates Law, and among the best Boston regional law firms in six different practice areas on the 2023 Best Law Firms list: Nationally: Tax Law Trusts & Estates Law Boston Region: Tax Law Trusts & Estates Law Commercial Litigation Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law Litigation – Trusts & Estates Real Estate Law "It is gratifying to see the good work of our attorneys and staff being recognized by our clients and our peers," said Jeffrey Hart, a founding partner at Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers. "The fact that we have been honored for our expertise in six different practice areas demonstrates why we have earned a reputation as a truly full service firm." This is the first year that Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers has been recognized as a U.S. News-Best Lawyers Best Law Firm in Real Estate Law. "Boston is one of the most active commercial real estate markets in the country, and we are fortunate to work with so many thriving clients in the real estate arena," said Stephen Kutenplon, a partner and member of the firm's Real Estate and Land Use practice. "Our work has been central to many of the transactions that have made Boston such a vigorous market." Best Lawyers in America® is the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession. The 2022 Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer reviews from leading attorneys in their field. Firms included on the 2022 Best Law Firms list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.