Jason Kohout is a partner practicing with Foley & Lardner LLP. He is the chair of the firm’s Family Offices Team and assists families and business owners in tax planning, business succession, and philanthropy. In addition, he works extensively with nonprofit organizations in the areas of governance, fundraising and tax exemption matters. Jason’s broad experience, in conjunction with his in-depth knowledge of tax, corporate and trust law, allows him to provide creative and practical solutions for his clients, especially for clients that own businesses or have philanthropic interests or nonprofit organizations focused on governance or fundraising.
Family Offices / Family Businesses / High Net Worth Individuals
Jason advises numerous individuals and families on tax and estate planning. As chair of the firm’s Family Offices Team, Jason has extensive experience with clients with both independent family offices and businesses that provide family office functions internally. He has both created family office entities and assisted families in building out functionality to address family and business needs. He focuses on income and estate tax planning (including implementing sales to defective grantor trusts and grantor retained annuity trusts).
Jason specializes in philanthropic planning. He has advised both donors and charities on how to facilitate tax-advantaged contributions, including contributions of interests in operating entities and in highly appreciated assets. He has formed numerous charitable vehicles and also advises donors on direct charitable activities. Jason is a director of the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, a group of family and company foundations, and he regularly contributes as an author and as a speaker.
Tax-Exempt Organizations
Jason also works with all kinds of tax-exempt organizations, including health care systems, social service agencies, universities and schools, churches and religious organizations and public policy organizations. Jason advises these organizations on all aspects of formation, ongoing operations, tax compliance, governance and significant transactions, such as mergers, conversions and asset sales.
Jason has worked extensively in nonprofit corporate governance, including drafting specialty governing provisions for bylaws and developing detailed conflict of interest policies. He advises directors and trustees regarding fiduciary duties and excess benefit and self-dealing rules. He has experience in issues such as unrelated business income tax, structuring of affiliated organizations, investments in joint ventures and other complex tax compliance issues.
