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Craig A. Griffith
Partner
Charleston, WV
Partner
Charleston, WV
As an experienced and respected tax attorney, Craig focuses his practice on developing strategies to maximize profit through tax planning and guidance on available federal, state, and local tax incentives. Craig assists his clients in a variety of industries including oil and natural gas producers, midstream companies, coal, chemical manufacturing, non-profits, gasoline transport companies, retailers, and renewable resource companies.
Successfully argued to the WV Supreme Court that crew quarters used at well sites by certain workers and portable bathroom facilities used at well sites are “directly used” in natural resource production, and thus exempt from sales tax. Read decision.
Advised solar energy companies on state and local tax issues, including incentives.
Successfully argued to the West Virginia State Tax Department on behalf of pipeline company on sales tax exemption.
Provided advice to remote sellers regarding changes to sales tax collection process in West Virginia.
Navigated the offer and compromise process with the West Virginia State Tax Department for reduction in tax liabilities owed by firm clients.
Advised clients on special property tax valuation programs in West Virginia.
Represented taxpayers in federal and state tax controversies, including before the West Virginia Office of Tax Appeals and the Internal Revenue Service.
Advised clients on various state and local taxes, including sales and use tax, income tax, and property tax, and incentives, exemptions and credits, including tax increment financing projects to fund public infrastructure improvements for commercial development.
Represented county commission in negotiation of payment in lieu of taxes agreement and lease for county-owned power plant.
Represented clients in complex appeals of property tax valuations of industrial, commercial, and natural resource properties.
Represented county commissions and developers in conjunction with tax increment financing projects.
Served as counsel for multi-national bank in its challenge of West Virginia’s corporate income tax nexus laws for out-of-state banks.
Represented major online retailer in securing a favorable interpretation of West Virginia’s nexus laws for sales tax purposes.
Served as bond counsel on the issuance of approximately $230 million of bonds for a major hospital expansion.
West Virginia University College of Law, J.D.
WVU College of Business & Economics. B.S.B.A, Accounting
Chambers USA, Tax, 2021-2024
The Best Lawyers in America®, Tax Law, 2019-2025, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2023
Distinguished West Virginian, 2013
West Virginia State Bar
Former Chair, WV Tax Modernization Workgroup
Former Secretary & Board Member, WV Economic Development Authority
West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
Independent State and Local Tax Alliance, National Meeting Committee Chairperson, 2018-Current
Charleston Area Alliance Economic Development Committee
Charleston Rotary Club
Charleston Area Tax Group, Program Chairperson, 2016-18
Leadership West Virginia, 2015
Former Second Vice President, Federation of Tax Administrators
Former President, Southeastern Association of Tax Administrators
Former Member, Governing Board, Streamlined Sales Tax Project
September 1, 2024 | Blogs
In 2021 the West Virginia State Tax Division published a document entitled “Sales and Use Tax for ...
May 16, 2023 | Blogs
The West Virginia Legislature in the 2021 regular session approved H.J.R. 3, the Property Tax Modern...
March 13, 2023 | Blogs
The most discussed issue during West Virginia 2023 Legislative Session was Governor Jim Justice’s ...
April 25, 2022 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. The West Virginia Legislature’s 2022 regular s...
March 31, 2022 | Publications
The West Virginia Legislature passed H.B. 4336 on March 11. It is the second piece of legislation ...
July 26, 2021 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. H.B. 2581, passed during the 2021 regular sessio...
April 13, 2021 | Blogs
The most discussed issue during West Virginia’s 2021 legislative session was the proposed repeal o...
March 17, 2021 | Blogs
In his 2021 State of the State Address, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice proposed a repeal of the ...
January 11, 2021 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. Since 2015, various natural gas producers have p...
November 19, 2020 | Blogs
In Antero Resources Corporation v. Dale W. Steager, State Tax Commissioner of West Virginia, Case No...
October 8, 2020 | Press Releases
Craig Griffith will work in firm’s Charleston office Frost Brown Todd’s (FBT) State and Local Ta...
April 20, 2020 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. Before 2020, West Virginia provided no tax incen...
October 7, 2019 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. On March 27 Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed two bill...
April 8, 2019 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Quill[1] decisi...
June 11, 2018 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. In 2008 West Virginia began offering tax credits...
February 5, 2018 | Blogs
This article was originally published in Tax Notes. In the recent case of Matkovich v. CSX Transport...