Local Roots. National Reach.
We're A Top-Ranked Tax Law Firm In Seattle

Robert Chicoine Law has consistently ranked among the top tax law firms in Seattle that not only has clients within the continental United States, but internationally, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Guam, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Mariana Islands, Fiji, Russia and Canada. Our cases have been discussed in major publications such as Tax Notes, Bloomberg, and Accounting Today.

The firm provides client-focused solutions to complex tax and business law matters and civil and criminal tax litigation. Through our decades of combined advocacy and litigation experience, we are committed to achieving successful, cost-effective results, and the trust of the clients we serve. Together, we have over 50 years of combined experience in these areas.

RCL is a unique law firm. Our lawyers possess the skill, sophistication, and “high profile” case experience typical of corporate-style law firms. Selecting an attorney is an enormously important decision. You want responsive, skilled and cost-effective representation. We possess each of these qualities and will strive to offer the same to each of our valued clients.

New & Noteworthy

Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year - 2021 Litigation and Controversy - Tax in Seattle

Robert Chicoine has been selected by his peers in Best Lawyer's 27th Edition "Lawyer of the Year" for his work in: Litigation and Controversy - Tax in Seattle. This is a high distinction, indeed, as only a single lawyer in a specific practice area and location is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" designation from Best Lawyers. Additionally, Robert has been recognized for his work in Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law.

About The Firm
Robert Chicoine

Robert Chicoine advises clients in matters of state and federal taxation, be it planning to minimize tax disputes, effectively resolving administrative scrutiny by taxing authorities, or defending clients in litigation when tax controversies cannot be settled. He has been called upon as an expert on issues of federal taxation and has been engaged by tax agencies in U.S. territories as a lead lawyer in complex litigation.

Full Bio

About The Firm
Richard Ainsworth

Richard Thompson Ainsworth is an attorney with over 30 years academic, government, and private sector tax experience. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Boston University Law Graduate Tax Program, and the New York University Law Graduate Tax Program. He was formerly the Director of the Boston University Graduate Tax Program, Deputy Directors of the International Tax Program at Harvard Law School, Senior Litigation attorney with IRS Chief Counsel, and Legal Issues Officer with the New Hampshire Department of Revenue.

Full Bio

News, Articles & Publications

Washington’s ‘Cutting-Edge’ Solution To Combat Sales Tax Fraud

by Richard T. Ainsworth, Robert Chicoine, Andrew Leahey, and Sunder Gee

Reprinted from Tax Notes State, December 2, 2019, p. 717

State drops charges against Tacos Guaymas owner accused of tax theft

In March, Attorney General Bob Ferguson accused Salvador Sahagun of “the largest ‘sales suppression software’ case in Washington state history —— and potentially the largest in the country.” This month, Ferguson's office dropped the charges against Sahagun.

SeattleTimes.com, November 13, 2018

Robert Chicoine Law Reports That State Dismisses Criminal Sales Suppression Use and Tax Theft Charges Against Tacos Guaymas Owner

"The important thing is that the prosecutors saw the light and agreed to dismiss all charges," Robert Chicoine said.

PR Newswire, November 13, 2018

Washington State Dismisses Charges Against Owner of Tacos Guaymas

Attorneys for the owner of a chain of taco restaurants says the Washington Department of Revenue "made erroneous assumptions" when it accused him of tax fraud.

KING5 News, November 13, 2018

Wash. Drops 'Tax Zapper' Criminal Case Against Restaurateur

The Washington attorney general has dismissed criminal charges against the owner of six Seattle-area taco restaurants who had been accused of using illegal technology, known as "tax zapper" software.

BloombergTax News, November 13, 2018

‘That’s A Lot of Tacos’ Defense Prevails in Tax Theft Case

Criminal charges against Mexican restaurant owner dismissed; Prosecution alleged use of sales tax “zapper” software

BloombergTax News, November 14, 2018

State drops tax-theft charges against Tacos Guaymas owner

The owner of three locations of the Mexican-restaurant chain had been accused of under-reporting sales tax.

The Everett Herald, November 14, 2018

Tiny Broadway taco shop and its Guaymas family of restaurants comes up big as state drops $5.6M tax case

Attorney General Bob Ferguson and investigators from the Washington State Department of Revenue who started their search at a Broadway restaurant have huevos rancheros on their face after allegations of a $5.6 million tax fraud scheme at the Seattle chain of Tacos Guaymas fizzled into a poquito $750 fine.

Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, November 14, 2018

Fighting Technology With Technology: Taking Aim at Electronic Sales Suppression

by Richard T. Ainsworth and Robert Chicoine

Reprinted from Tax Notes International, March 12, 2018, p. 1037

Washington’s Problematic Sales Suppression Enforcement Regime

by Richard T. Ainsworth and Robert Chicoine

Reprinted from State Tax Notes, March 12, 2018, p. 995

Zapped! An Analysis of Washington’s Electronic Monitoring Agreement

by Richard T. Ainsworth and Robert Chicoine

Reprinted from Tax Notes International, March 5, 2018, p. 885

The Technology Requirements of the First Electronic Monitoring Agreement in U.S. for Zappers

by Richard T. Ainsworth and Robert Chicoine