Carol A. Fitzsimmons
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
Nazareth College, B.A., magna cum laude
University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., cum laude
Carol is a leader in the firm’s General & International Tax Practice and its U.S. - Canada Practice. She is particularly focused on providing U.S. tax counsel to clients with cross border business and personal tax issues, including public and private company tax matters and income, gift, and estate tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and their families. Carol advises public and private companies on the U.S. tax aspects of international transactions, including mergers and acquisitions; U.S. tax disclosures in securities documents and private placements; effective tax structuring for U.S. business operations; and tax considerations in U.S. business, portfolio, and real estate investments. Carol’s work with high-net-worth clients includes planning for U.S. income tax issues under the controlled foreign corporation (CFC), passive foreign investment (PFIC) and foreign trust rules; advising on U.S. tax - effective estate planning for multinational families; and providing guidance on U.S. tax residency and citizenship matters.
Carol is a frequent speaker on U.S. tax law, particularly as it affects Canadian businesses and individuals. She has received numerous accolades for her work including listings in “Best Lawyers in America” (Best Lawyers/U.S. News & World Report) for Tax Law.
Carol is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Firm and has frequently served on the Hodgson Russ Board of Directors and numerous Firm committees.
She exclusively practices U.S. law and is admitted to practice in New York.
Honors
- Listed, Best Lawyers in America (Tax Law) 2014 - 2024
In the News
Press Releases
- February 5, 2024
- August 17, 2023
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 19, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 20, 2019
- Press Release, August 15, 2018
- Press Release, August 15, 2017
- Hodgson Russ Press Release, August 18, 2016
- Press Release, August 17, 2015
Publications
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, October 19, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis and Hemp Alert , July 7, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, February 2, 2022
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp and Labor & Employment Alert, November 4, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, October 26, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Cannabis & Hemp Alert, September 2, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, May 25, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, March 29, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, March 23, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, March 18, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, February 24, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis and Agriculture Alert, February 10, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp and Medical Cannabis Alert, February 8, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, January 27, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis and Agriculture Alert, January 22, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, January 7, 2021
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, December 28, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, December 28, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, November 19, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, November 19, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, November 11, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, August 26, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, July 21, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, May 5, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, May 1, 2020
- Hodgson Russ International Tax Alert, April 22, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, April 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, April 10, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, April 8, 2020
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, April 6, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert , March 27, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert , March 26, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert , March 25, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Tax and Labor & Employment Alert, March 24, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Federal-International Tax Alert, March 19, 2020
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, January 28, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, January 14, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, January 2, 2020
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, December 27, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, December 16, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Trusts & Estates Alert, November 18, 2019
- Interim guidance adds some certainty to an evolving industry, including relief from strict criminal limitsHemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, November 4, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, October 4, 2019
- Hodgson Russ Federal and International Tax Alert, September 9, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, August 23, 2019
- Hemp & Medical Cannabis Alert, July 10, 2019
- Canadian Tax Foundation, April 25, 2018
- Estates and Trusts Alert, December 27, 2017
- Canadian Tax Highlights, June 25, 2017
- Estate Planning Alert, August 18, 2016
- Canadian Tax Highlights, May 2016
- STEP Connection, Toronto Branch Newsletter, April 2016
- Canadian Tax Highlights, June 2015
- Canadian Tax Highlights, June 1, 2015
- Canadian Tax Highlights, November 1, 2014
- Canada-U.S. Tax Traps and MismatchesSTEP Inside, October 2014
- Hodgson Russ Alert, February 7, 2014
- Cross-Border Life Insurance PlanningCALU Report, November 2013
- Federal/International Tax Alert, January 4, 2013
- Canadian Tax Highlights, November 1, 2012
- Federal/International Tax Alert, September 5, 2012
- Cross-Border Life Insurance PlanningEstates, Trusts and Pensions Journal , May 2012
- Federal/International Tax Alert, March 6, 2012
- Federal/International Tax Alert, January 12, 2012
- Federal/International Tax Alert, December 13, 2011
- Federal/International Tax Alert, October 8, 2010
- Federal/International Tax Alert, August 23, 2010
- U.S. Laws Sunset: 2011Canadian Tax Highlights, July 2010
- Estates & Trusts Alert, February 3, 2010
- Canadian Real Estate, December 2009
- U.S. Crackdown on Offshore Tax AbuseCanadian Tax Highlights, June 2009
- International/Cross-Border Alert, March 16, 2009
- U.S. Inversion ConcernsCanadian Tax Highlights, November 2008
- International Tax Alert, June 19, 2008
- United States Estate TaxDeath of a Taxpayer, 9th Edition, 2008
- Canadian Tax Highlights, September 1, 2007
Presentations & Events
- March 2023
- November 19, 2020
- Senior Estates and Trusts Practitioners' ForumCambridge, ON, October 14-16, 2018
- Metro Toronto Convention Centre, May 28-29, 2018
- Canadian Tax Foundation, Estate Planning and TrustsMontreal, QC, April 4, 2018
- Estate Planning and TrustsTechnical Seminar and Live Webcast1250 Rene-Levesque West, Montreal, QC, Canada, April 4, 2018
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, US UpdateOttawa, ON, October 25, 2017
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners ForumOctober 1, 2016
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners National SeminarJune 1, 2016
- Canadian Tax Foundation, Ontario Tax ConferenceOctober 2015
- 17th National Society of Trust and Estate Planners ConferenceToronto, ON, June 18, 2015
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Topical Canadian and US Tax Issues on Trusts and EstatesMay 2015
- Update on U.S. Tax PlanningOttawa, ON, January 14, 2015
- Society of Trust and Estate Planners – Ottawa Chapter Seminar: U.S. Tax Update and Planning for U.S. Tax Traps and MismatchesOttawa, ON, January 14, 2015
- Senior Estates and Trusts Forum: Top 10 Cross Border Issues – What We are SeeingCambridge, ON, October 21, 2014
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Chapter Vancouver: U.S. Cross Border Update – Practical Advice and What You Need to Know NowVancouver, BC, September 18, 2014
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners National Conference: Cross-Border Planning: Tax Traps and MismatchesToronto, ON, June 17, 2014
- Cross-Border Planning: Tax Traps and MismatchesToronto, ON, June 17, 2014
- The Law Society of Upper Canada, The Six Minute Estates Lawyer: Planning for Children with Cross-Border IssuesToronto, ON, April 29, 2014
- Tax and Compliance Concerns for U.S. Citizens Living AbroadOttawa, ON, January 22, 2014
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Ottawa Chapter: Tax and Compliance Concerns for U.S. Citizens Living AbroadOttawa, ON, January 2014
- U.S. Family Members – Impact on Canadian Corporate and Trust StructuresVancouver, BC, November 21, 2013
- Montreal, QC, March 14, 2013
- Calgary, AB, November 13, 2012