J. David Johnson, IV

J. David Johnson, IV

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FlorenceColumbia
  • 803-227-4268

David Johnson has a diverse tax practice in which he counsels clients in the areas of tax controversy, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning and probate administration, business valuation, and ERISA.

He represents entities, qualified retirement plans, and individuals in all phases of federal and state tax controversies, including audits, appeals, and tax litigation. David also advises clients on the formation, operation, reorganization, and dissolution of business entities, as well as the purchase and sale of businesses, and business succession planning. He additionally advises corporate clients on the design, implementation, and administration of qualified employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements, including compliance with ERISA. David also has experience appraising closely held businesses, and performs business valuations for purposes of mergers and acquisitions, estate and gift tax return filings, and for other regulatory purposes. 

In addition to his tax practice, David is a faculty member at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, where he teaches tax and business law classes in the Graduate Master of Accountancy Program. David is consistently evaluated and recognized by his students as one of the school’s outstanding tax professors.

David maintains an active tax practice in both Florence and Columbia, South Carolina and is deeply involved in both communities through his role as a board member in Kiwanis and though his participation in both cities’ Chamber of Commerce Leadership Classes. Further, David is an active member of both the Columbia Estate Planning Council and the Columbia Tax Study Group, having formerly served as its Chairman. David also currently serves on the firm’s 401(k) Committee, of which he is a former Chairman.

  • Obtained an $18 million reduction of taxes and penalties for an estate audited by the IRS upon appeal before the IRS Appeals Office.
  • Obtained an complete abatement of penalties in excess of $500,000 assessed by the IRS against a regional medical center.
  • Negotiated a $50/month installment payment plan with the IRS for an individual client who owed in excess of $600,000 in taxes, interest, and penalties.
  • Successfully represented an estate beneficiary in the favorable negotiation of a settlement and closing of a probate estate with assets of more than $6 million.
  • Appraised numerous closely held businesses and family limited partnerships with values exceeding $10 million.
  • University of South Carolina, J.D., 1999
  • University of South Carolina, B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), 1995
  • South Carolina Bar, 2000
  • United States Tax Court, 2012
  • American Bar Association, Section of Taxation (Member, 2004-Present)
  • South Carolina Bar Association (Tax Law and Probate Sections, Member, 2000-present)
  • Southeast Fellows Institute Program, Class of 2021
  • Florence County Bar Association (Member, 2004-2010)
  • Richland County Bar Association (Member, 2010-present)
  • Columbia Tax Study Group (Member and Past Chairman, 2010-present)
  • Columbia Estate Planning Council (Member, 2010-present)
  • Columbia Kiwanis Club (Board Member, 2013 - present)
  • Florence Kiwanis Club (Board Member, 2006-2010)
  • Florence Athletic Hall of Fame (Past Board Member, Nominations Committee Chair, and Treasurer, 2010-2017)
  • Institute of Business Appraisers/National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (Member, 2004-present)
  • Leadership Florence, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce (Graduate, 2009)
  • Leadership Columbia, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Graduate, 2011)
  • Best Lawyers in America, Tax Law, 2021-2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Trust & Estates, 2022-2024
  • Midlands Legal Elite, Tax & Estate, 2013-2020
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