Maxwell A. Shapiro

My Approach

Most tax questions don’t have one right answer. Our role as tax counselors is to help clients understand and weigh the range of possibilities. My job is to help them find the one that fits. I work with businesses, investors and individuals to make informed decisions in complex, uncertain spaces — where strategy and problem-solving matter just as much as precision.

I advise clients across a wide range of tax matters, with a focus on credits and incentives such as research and development (R&D), low-income housing (LIHTC), historic tax credits (HTC) and renewable energy deals. My practice also includes advising on qualified small business stock (QSBS) and partnership structuring for fund management and related transactions. Across all areas, I help clients navigate complex tax rules with practical, strategic insight that supports their broader business goals. In the tax credit space, I get to live vicariously through the incredible things my clients build and create. It’s deeply rewarding to see how thoughtful tax planning helps turn ideas into impact, whether it’s a housing development that revitalizes a community, a historic restoration that preserves local character, or a company investing in new innovation.

Before joining Winthrop & Weinstine, I gained valuable experience in both the private and public sectors. I began my career in Big 4 accounting, advising clients on a variety of tax issues, and later worked in-house for a Fortune 50 company where I managed tax matters from the business side. Those roles gave me a deep appreciation for the practical realities businesses face and highlighted the importance of balancing technical accuracy with sound business judgment.

Outside of work, I have two young children who are delightfully exhausting. Our family loves to stay active, taking walks around the South Minneapolis chain of lakes and finding adventures wherever we can. I also enjoy playing basketball and burning off steam at the gym.