John L. Harrington is the chair of Dentons’ US tax practice.  He advises clients on tax planning, transactional and compliance issues; international tax legislative, regulatory, and treaty matters; and a variety of substantive and legislative domestic tax issues.  In particular, he has extensive experience in dealing with the foreign tax credit, anti-deferral regimes (including Subpart F income), cross-border activities of companies and individuals, and other international tax issues.

Prior to joining Dentons, Mr. Harrington served as International Tax Counsel for the U.S. Department of Treasury.  As International Tax Counsel, he directed and supervised the staff of the Office of the International Tax Counsel which provides legal advice and analysis relating to international tax issues, including legislation, regulations, and treaties.  

At the Treasury Department, he worked closely with the Internal Revenue Service to develop regulations and other administrative guidance.  He also interacted frequently with other Executive Branch officials, especially in the State Department, the Commerce Department, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the White House. 

He represented the Treasury Department before Congress, including testifying at hearings.  He worked regularly with Congressional committees and staff on the international tax aspects of legislation, conducting briefings and participating in the development of legislative proposals. 

While at the Treasury Department, Mr. Harrington worked closely with tax officials in other countries.  He represented the United States at tax-related meetings of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and in tax-related trade disputes before the World Trade Organization.    

Before joining the Treasury Department, Mr. Harrington was a tax counsel on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means.  On the committee staff, Mr. Harrington was responsible for international, pass-through entities, financial institutions and products, real estate, environment, energy, and other tax issues.