- Negotiated complex audit resolution agreements for national and regional banks, broker-dealers and mutual funds undergoing multistate, third-party unclaimed property audits.
- Led unclaimed property and state tax diligence efforts in numerous multimillion-dollar corporate transactions.
- Represented dozens of Fortune 500 companies across various industries in multistate unclaimed property audits.
- Provided planning and advice for the implementation and restructuring of national companies' gift card and loyalty programs.
- Drafted legal opinions on unclaimed property issues related to gift cards and other prepaid products in support of revenue recognition efforts.
- Negotiated voluntary disclosure agreements for income, sales and use taxes with multiple state revenue departments.
- Phone: +1 704 444 1189
- Email: michael.giovannini@alston.com
Michael Giovannini is a partner with Alston & Bird’s Unclaimed Property and State & Local Tax Teams. As a member of the Unclaimed Property Team, Michael concentrates on providing comprehensive advice and guidance to clients regarding multistate unclaimed property planning issues, representing clients in unclaimed property audits and state voluntary disclosure agreements, and other compliance initiatives. Michael’s practice includes extensive experience with gift card laws and the structuring of gift card programs, consumer protection, and other areas of regulation. He has represented regional and national banks and financial services companies, including broker-dealers and mutual funds, health care companies, and private investment firms. Michael also advises clients on the unclaimed property implications associated with cryptocurrency and other emerging technologies.
Michael counsels on complex sales, use and corporate income tax issues, and providing practical planning services for various state and local tax issues, with emphasis on sales and use tax issues associated with online sales, cloud computing, and digital goods. He has representative experience advising clients on apportionment, nexus, and unitary business principles, as well as in disputes with state revenue departments at both the administrative and judicial levels, and in multistate voluntary disclosure agreement initiatives.
He is a regular contributor to the Alston & Bird Tax Blog and various national publications. He frequently speaks at local, regional, and national tax and unclaimed property conferences.
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General Publications April 2025“Department of Labor’s Temporary Policy Allows Voluntary Escheatment of Certain Retirement Benefits,” Employee Relations Law Journal, April 2025.This article discusses the Department of Labor’s temporary ERISA enforcement policy for unclaimed retirement benefit payments of $1,000 or less.General Publications April 2025“Department of Labor’s Temporary Policy Allows Voluntary Escheatment of Certain Retirement Benefits,” Employee Relations Law Journal, April 2025.This article discusses the Department of Labor’s temporary ERISA enforcement policy for unclaimed retirement benefit payments of $1,000 or less.
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Speaking Engagement March 23–26, 2025UPPO 2025 Annual ConferenceMichael Giovannini, Ethan Millar, Daniel Dubin, and Tiffany Li Qu will speak during this conference hosted by the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization (UPPO).Speaking Engagement March 23–26, 2025UPPO 2025 Annual ConferenceMichael Giovannini, Ethan Millar, Daniel Dubin, and Tiffany Li Qu will speak during this conference hosted by the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization (UPPO).
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Advisories January 31, 2025Unclaimed Property / Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Advisory | Department of Labor's Temporary Policy Allows Voluntary Escheatment of Certain Retirement BenefitsOur Unclaimed Property and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation teams delve into the Department of Labor’s temporary ERISA enforcement policy for unclaimed retirement benefit payments of $1,000 or less.Advisories January 31, 2025Unclaimed Property / Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Advisory | Department of Labor's Temporary Policy Allows Voluntary Escheatment of Certain Retirement BenefitsOur Unclaimed Property and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation teams delve into the Department of Labor’s temporary ERISA enforcement policy for unclaimed retirement benefit payments of $1,000 or less.
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General Publications January 2, 2025“How Changes In State Gift Card Laws May Affect Cos. In 2025,” Law360, January 2, 2025.This article discusses developments in state gift card compliance issues in the unclaimed property and consumer protection spaces from 2024 and speculates on what 2025 may hold in store.General Publications January 2, 2025“How Changes In State Gift Card Laws May Affect Cos. In 2025,” Law360, January 2, 2025.This article discusses developments in state gift card compliance issues in the unclaimed property and consumer protection spaces from 2024 and speculates on what 2025 may hold in store.
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Advisories November 18, 2024Unclaimed Property / State & Local Tax Advisory | 2024 Year in Review: Legislative Developments Impacting Gift Card Programs
Our Unclaimed Property and State & Local Tax teams review the state legislation that impacted businesses’ gift card programs in 2024.
Advisories November 18, 2024Unclaimed Property / State & Local Tax Advisory | 2024 Year in Review: Legislative Developments Impacting Gift Card ProgramsOur Unclaimed Property and State & Local Tax teams review the state legislation that impacted businesses’ gift card programs in 2024.
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Advisories September 13, 2024Unclaimed Property Advisory: Settlement Between Delaware and 30 States Ends MoneyGram LitigationFollowing the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in the MoneyGram case, Delaware and a coalition of 30 states have settled. Our Unclaimed Property Team examines the impact of the settlement on future litigation over escheated funds.Advisories September 13, 2024Unclaimed Property Advisory: Settlement Between Delaware and 30 States Ends MoneyGram LitigationFollowing the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in the MoneyGram case, Delaware and a coalition of 30 states have settled. Our Unclaimed Property Team examines the impact of the settlement on future litigation over escheated funds.
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General Publications March 13, 2024“Startups Must Consider Several State Tax Traps to Avoid Scrutiny,” Bloomberg Law, March 13, 2024.This article provides an overview of top tax concerns for startups as they grow, such as state nexus, gross receipts taxes, and unclaimed property obligations.General Publications March 13, 2024“Startups Must Consider Several State Tax Traps to Avoid Scrutiny,” Bloomberg Law, March 13, 2024.This article provides an overview of top tax concerns for startups as they grow, such as state nexus, gross receipts taxes, and unclaimed property obligations.
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Speaking Engagement March 10–13, 2024UPPO Annual ConferenceMichael Giovannini, Kendall Houghton, and Ethan Millar will speak during this annual conference hosted by the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization (UPPO).Speaking Engagement March 10–13, 2024UPPO Annual ConferenceMichael Giovannini, Kendall Houghton, and Ethan Millar will speak during this annual conference hosted by the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization (UPPO).
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Speaking Engagement December 13, 2023State Indirect Tax SeminarClark Calhoun, Michael Giovannini, Tiffany Li Qu, and Kathleen Cornett will be panelists at this seminar hosted by the Council on State Taxation (COST).Speaking Engagement December 13, 2023State Indirect Tax SeminarClark Calhoun, Michael Giovannini, Tiffany Li Qu, and Kathleen Cornett will be panelists at this seminar hosted by the Council on State Taxation (COST).
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Speaking Engagement October 23–25, 202330th Annual Paul J. Hartman State and Local Tax ForumKendall Houghton, Clark Calhoun, and Michael Giovannini will speak at the 30th Annual Paul J. Hartman State and Local Tax Forum and Alston & Bird is a gold sponsor of the event.Speaking Engagement October 23–25, 202330th Annual Paul J. Hartman State and Local Tax ForumKendall Houghton, Clark Calhoun, and Michael Giovannini will speak at the 30th Annual Paul J. Hartman State and Local Tax Forum and Alston & Bird is a gold sponsor of the event.
Bar Admissions
- Georgia
- North Carolina
Education
- Wake Forest University (J.D., 2009)
- Furman University (B.A., 2006)