Donna F. Hartl

Shareholder, Practice Group Manager, Tax Law
Chicago
70 West Madison Street
Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60602
P 312.580.1250
F 312.580.1201
P 312.580.1250 | F 312.580.1201

Overview

When most people read tax law, they see it as being black and white. But Donna, who has decades of experience dealing with complex tax disputes, reads it as all shades of gray. Drawing on her experience as a Certified Public Accountant, Donna understands the seriousness of tax matters, as well as the sensitive nature of the issues involved. She knows how to navigate the intricacies of the ever-changing laws and regulations and often relies on her creativity to take advantage of areas that aren’t clear. And other than property tax deductions, if it has the word “tax” in it, Donna is your go-to for all things tax, including income tax, sales tax, tobacco and use tax, especially if the IRS is knocking on your door. Donna knows the rules and the system, and understands there is a very definitive and methodical way to deal with the IRS when there is a dispute. She helps clients handle past problematic events and creates plans for their futures. Donna also advises on succession planning, administration and transfer of assets, estate and gift tax returns and minor and adult guardianships.

Services

Education

  1. Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
  2. North Central College of Naperville, B.A., Political Science & Accounting

Credentials

Bar Admissions
  1. Illinois
Court Admissions
  1. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  2. U.S. Tax Court
  3. U.S. Court of Claims, Washington, D.C.

Recognitions

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Named an Illinois Leading Lawyers Network as a Top Lawyer for Tax: Business, Tax: Individual (2021-2024) and Trust/Will/Estate (2021-2024)
  • Selected by Leading Lawyers Network as a Top Lawyer for Elder & Estate Planning, Chicago (2020, 2021); Personal Finance (2021); Women Leaders (2023,2024)
  • Selected as an Illinois Leading Lawyer, Top-100 Women Business Lawyers (2020)
  • Selected by Leading Lawyers Network as a Top-10 Personal Tax Lawyer in Illinois (2019, 2021) 
  • Selected as an "Illinois Super Lawyer" by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Federal Taxation Council member
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Chicago Estate Planning Council
  • American Institute of CPAs
  • Illinois CPA Society

Insights

  1. Alerts
    Corporate Transparency Act: New Reporting Rules for Dissolved and Merged Companies (Jul 12, 2024)
    Now That We’ve Seen the Eclipse, It’s Time To Plan for the TCJA Sunset (May 6, 2024)
    Supreme Court to Rule on Estate Tax Valuation of Stock Purchased with Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Proceeds (Feb 27, 2024)
    IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on Long-Term, Part-Time Employees (Jan 5, 2024)
    IRS Issues Inflation Adjustments for 2024 (Nov 13, 2023)
  2. Presentations
    "How to Navigate Assets That Are Based in Multiple States" - Panelist, Fox Valley Estate Planning Council (Mar 6, 2024)
    "Spotlight on Small Business - Featuring Donna Hartl" - Power Networking Team (Jan 26, 2021)
    "Comparing Tax Plans of the 2020 Presidential Candidates" - Provisors Chicago, Estate and Succession Planning Affinity Group (October 2020)
    "Tax Consideration in Running a Business" - PNT Hour of Power Facebook Live (Aug 13, 2020)
    "Playing Poker in the Divorce Arena" - Anderson & Boback Facebook Live (Aug 11, 2020)
  3. Podcasts
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: Employee Retention Tax Credit: Post Covid Updates for Healthcare Practices (Dec 21, 2023)
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: End of Year Tax Planning: Tips for Healthcare Professionals and Practices (Dec 15, 2022)
    Leggo my Crypto! (Jul 19, 2021)
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: Health Care Practices: Can They Seek Employee Retention Credits Based on Harm Caused By COVID-19? (Jun 10, 2021)
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: PPP Loans - Frequently Asked Questions (Feb 11, 2021)
  4. Firm News
    Donna Hartl Joins Roetzel as Shareholder in Chicago (May 18, 2020)

Overview

When most people read tax law, they see it as being black and white. But Donna, who has decades of experience dealing with complex tax disputes, reads it as all shades of gray. Drawing on her experience as a Certified Public Accountant, Donna understands the seriousness of tax matters, as well as the sensitive nature of the issues involved. She knows how to navigate the intricacies of the ever-changing laws and regulations and often relies on her creativity to take advantage of areas that aren’t clear. And other than property tax deductions, if it has the word “tax” in it, Donna is your go-to for all things tax, including income tax, sales tax, tobacco and use tax, especially if the IRS is knocking on your door. Donna knows the rules and the system, and understands there is a very definitive and methodical way to deal with the IRS when there is a dispute. She helps clients handle past problematic events and creates plans for their futures. Donna also advises on succession planning, administration and transfer of assets, estate and gift tax returns and minor and adult guardianships.

Education

  1. Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
  2. North Central College of Naperville, B.A., Political Science & Accounting

Credentials

Bar Admissions
  1. Illinois
Court Admissions
  1. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  2. U.S. Tax Court
  3. U.S. Court of Claims, Washington, D.C.

Recognitions

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Named an Illinois Leading Lawyers Network as a Top Lawyer for Tax: Business, Tax: Individual (2021-2024) and Trust/Will/Estate (2021-2024)
  • Selected by Leading Lawyers Network as a Top Lawyer for Elder & Estate Planning, Chicago (2020, 2021); Personal Finance (2021); Women Leaders (2023,2024)
  • Selected as an Illinois Leading Lawyer, Top-100 Women Business Lawyers (2020)
  • Selected by Leading Lawyers Network as a Top-10 Personal Tax Lawyer in Illinois (2019, 2021) 
  • Selected as an "Illinois Super Lawyer" by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine

Affiliations

Professional Affiliations
  • American Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association, Federal Taxation Council member
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Chicago Estate Planning Council
  • American Institute of CPAs
  • Illinois CPA Society

Insights

  1. Alerts
    Corporate Transparency Act: New Reporting Rules for Dissolved and Merged Companies (Jul 12, 2024)
    Now That We’ve Seen the Eclipse, It’s Time To Plan for the TCJA Sunset (May 6, 2024)
    Supreme Court to Rule on Estate Tax Valuation of Stock Purchased with Corporate-Owned Life Insurance Proceeds (Feb 27, 2024)
    IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on Long-Term, Part-Time Employees (Jan 5, 2024)
    IRS Issues Inflation Adjustments for 2024 (Nov 13, 2023)
  2. Presentations
    "How to Navigate Assets That Are Based in Multiple States" - Panelist, Fox Valley Estate Planning Council (Mar 6, 2024)
    "Spotlight on Small Business - Featuring Donna Hartl" - Power Networking Team (Jan 26, 2021)
    "Comparing Tax Plans of the 2020 Presidential Candidates" - Provisors Chicago, Estate and Succession Planning Affinity Group (October 2020)
    "Tax Consideration in Running a Business" - PNT Hour of Power Facebook Live (Aug 13, 2020)
    "Playing Poker in the Divorce Arena" - Anderson & Boback Facebook Live (Aug 11, 2020)
  3. Podcasts
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: Employee Retention Tax Credit: Post Covid Updates for Healthcare Practices (Dec 21, 2023)
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: End of Year Tax Planning: Tips for Healthcare Professionals and Practices (Dec 15, 2022)
    Leggo my Crypto! (Jul 19, 2021)
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: Health Care Practices: Can They Seek Employee Retention Credits Based on Harm Caused By COVID-19? (Jun 10, 2021)
    Roetzel HealthLaw HotSpot: PPP Loans - Frequently Asked Questions (Feb 11, 2021)
  4. Firm News
    Donna Hartl Joins Roetzel as Shareholder in Chicago (May 18, 2020)