Tax Treatment of Employment Settlements: What Every Employment Lawyer Should Know

Robert W. Wood
Robert W. Wood | Wood LLP

Rob Wood is often listed among the top ten tax lawyers in America. He handles a broad range of tax planning and tax controversies. He also serves as an expert witness on tax matters in civil cases, class actions, disputes over independent contractor or employee classification, etc.

On-Demand: July 16, 2025

1 hour CLE

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Program Summary

This webinar explores the latest tax considerations in employment-related settlements, providing attorneys with key insights into the taxation of back pay, front pay, emotional distress damage, and attorney’s fees. Attendees will review recent IRS guidance and court decisions that impact the resolution of employment disputes. It also highlights best practices for structuring settlements to minimize tax exposure, ensure proper reporting on Forms W-2 and 1099, and maintain compliance with evolving federal and state tax requirements.

Key topics to be discussed:

  • Emotional distress and taxability
  • Physical injury exclusion rules
  • Strategic tax negotiations
  • Form W-2 vs. 1099 reporting

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available

Speakers

obert W. Wood_myLawCLERobert W. Wood | Wood LLP

Rob Wood is often listed among the top ten tax lawyers in America. He handles a broad range of tax planning and tax controversies. He also serves as an expert witness on tax matters in civil cases, class actions, disputes over independent contractor or employee classification, etc. A widely published author known for explaining and demystifying complex tax concepts, Mr. Wood is best known for his expertise in advising plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers, and settlement funds on settlements and judgments. He authored the leading book on this topic, Taxation of Damage Awards & Settlement Payments (5th Ed 2021), as well as the Bloomberg Tax Management Portfolio Tax Aspects of Settlements and Judgments (522).

The author of numerous other tax books and hundreds of articles, he is listed among the elite tax lawyers in the United States by many best lawyer’s periodicals. Mr. Wood writes regular columns in Tax Notes, Forbes and other publications, and comments on tax matters in the media.

Agenda

I. Emotional distress and taxability | 1:00pm – 1:15pm

II.Physical injury exclusion rules | 1:15pm – 1:30pm

III. Strategic tax negotiations | 1:30pm – 1:45pm

IV. Form W-2 vs. 1099 reporting | 1:45pm – 2:00pm

Preview
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