Tax awards 2015

International Tax Awards 2015

1

sponsored by

global tax services International Tax F Firm irm of the Year - United Arab Emirates

meritservus International Tax Planning Firm of the Year - Cyprus www.acquisition-intl.com

AI

AI

welcome to the 2015 Tax Awards

The aim of the 2015 Tax Awards is simple: to celebrate excellence within the global tax industry.

In seeking out the very best from this challenging industry, we’ve received thousands of nominations from clients and colleagues around the world on behalf of hundreds of firms, from small niche practices to the largest corporations.

But, when it comes to the 2015 Tax Awards, success isn’t about the size or reputation of your business, but rather stellar work, outstanding results and exemplary customer service. This is why we have done everything in our power to ensure that those who do go on to win one of these highly sought-after awards have been selected on merit alone, with every success based upon votes received, supplied supporting evidence and our own rigorous in-house research.

Over the following pages you’ll meet established firms and teams and the rising stars of tomorrow whose contributions to client service and experience and skills across key practice areas and sectors mark them out from the pack – so read on, and discover who has set the benchmark in tax for 2015.

contents 8. Global Tax Services has won International Tax Firm of the Year - United Arab Emirates 12. Meritservus Group has won International Tax Planning Firm of the Year – Cyprus 16. Ernst & Young has won Transfer Pricing Partner of the Year - Brazil 20. Battella, Lasmar & Silva Advogados has won International Tax Law Firm of the Year - Brazil 24. Quantera Global has won Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year - Netherlands & Best for Transfer Pricing Controversy has won Netherlands 26. John Harrison & Company has won Tax Return Specialists of the Year - United Kingdom 28. PricewaterhouseCoopers has won Best Tax Services – Thailand 30. HSP STEUER has won Tax Consultant of the Year – Germany 32. Mulcahy Gorman Mulcahy has won Best for General Tax Compliance - Ireland 36. KPMG has won Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year - Turkey

corporate profiles 40. Afschrift Law Firm has won Tax Law Firm of the Year – Belgium 41. KPMG Advisors A.E (Greece) has won Overall Tax Firm of the Year - Greece 42. ADB Altorfer Duss & Beilstein AG has won Tax Firm of the Year - Switzerland 43. LW TAX Lemaitre Wittkowski has won Best for Tax Advice on Reorganizations - Germany 44. Batini Colombo Saottini has won Best Tax Accountant - Italy 45. Bambridge Accountants has won Best for Creative Industry Tax Reliefs - UK 46. Tax Chambers LLP has won Best in Canada for Cross-Border Taxation & Succession Planning 47. BDO has won International Tax Specialists of the Year - Netherlands 48. Arias, Meurinne, Orendain y Rodríguez has won Sustained Excellence in Tax Litigation - Mexico 49. Tax Business Ltd has won Best in Employment Tax - UK 50. De Broeck Van Laere & Partners has won Transactional Tax Firm of the Year – Belgium 51. Independent Tax has won Recognised Leader in Tax Investigations Services - UK 52. WBD Accountants Limited has won Client Choice Award: Corporate Tax Compliance Team - UK 53. Lamont Pridmore has won Best Tax Practice in a Regional Firm - UK 54. Quantera Global has won Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year – Singapore 55. ISAS has won Transfer Pricing Specialists of the Year – Mexico 56. Nexia Ts Public Accounting Corporation has won Best in Cross-Border Restructuring – Singapore 57. Lyndhurst Accounting has won Best in Property Tax - UK 58. PwC has won Best VAT Team - Denmark 59. H M Rigney Commerce Tax & Investment Law has won Best in Australia for Superannuation Tax Issues 60. Kim & Chang has won Best Tax Law Firm – Korea 61. Gibson Hewitt has won Best for Personal Tax Planning - UK 62. Ernst & Young has won Best for Business Tax Advisory – Argentina 63. FiscalReps has won Best for Insurance Premium Tax Compliance Solutions – UK 64. Oxford Tax Solutions has won International Tax Adviser of the Year - Cyprus 65. Meridian Law has won Tax Law Firm of the Year – Barbados 66. Lugna has won Best for Corporate Tax – Portugal 67. Maple Accountancy has won Best for Self Assessment Compliance - UK 68. Koutalidis Law Firm has won Best in Corporate Tax Matters – Greece 69. SMATS Group has won Best in Property Tax - Australia 70. Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI) has won Best in Tax and Financial Policy – Germany 71. Ruiz Ballesteros Abogados Y Asesores Tributarios has won Best in Tax Returns – Spain

international tax firm of the year - united arab emirates

Global Tax Services (GTS)

~ Global Tax Services is a provider of international tax services with a network of top professionals across several jurisdictions. We spoke to International Tax Partner, Parwin Dina about the firm’s commitment to customer service and why we are living in interesting times for the international tax industry.

8

International Tax Awards 2015

9

Company: Global Tax Services FZLLC Name: Parwin Dina, International Tax Partner Email: parwin.dina@global-taxservices.com Website: www.global-taxservices.com Address: 17, The Iridium Building, Umm Suqeim Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Phone: +971 (0) 4 358 7534 Fax: +971 (0) 4 387 3710

“The core focus of GTS is to provide cost effective tax solutions to international operations,” says Parwin. “We are a niche firm but our services cover all areas of international taxation, including corporate structuring and advice, transfer pricing studies, due diligence, indirect taxes, tax treaty advisory, corporate tax compliance and personal taxation advice and compliance.”

Boasting an approachable, flexible, professional and ethical team, GTS is a business driven by the quality of service it provides and the relationships it forges and maintains with its clients. “We take this approach as we believe that understanding the intricacies of our clients’ operations, as well as their priorities, coupled with the expertise available to GTS, is crucial in ensuring we deliver effective tax solutions,” explains Parwin.

“Whilst there is no doubt that the expertise and the work ethics of the team make the difference in many cases, the professional and ethical relationships that we have built over time with tax officials in various jurisdictions, form a key pillar that contributes to the immense strength of our firm.”

This recognition, coupled with the consistent high standards achieved by all at GTS, is all the more impressive when taking into account the widespread and complex changes that are currently taking place throughout the global tax industry. Parwin explains: “It is certainly an interesting time for international tax experts, particularly when we consider the renewed efforts of governments around the globe to make multinationals pay their fair share of taxes. Last year, for example, we saw the G20 commitment with regards to Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).

“The initiative focuses on whether or not the rules currently in place allow for the allocation of taxable profits to locations separate from those in which the actual business activity takes place, and if not, what could be done to change it.”

It is this approach, believes Parwin, that has seen GTS recognised in this year’s Tax Awards. Speaking about the firm’s success, she is keen to highlight not just the benefits for her business but the wider tax industry. “Awards such as this can be highly motivating for individual businesses, enhancing the quality of the services they provide and making a huge impact on the industry as a whole in terms of increased competitiveness among the players.

The BEPS initiative has several objectives, among which are: • To address the very low effective tax rates of multinationals • To assess whether the long established international tax principles (including profits sourced where economic activity occurs), enshrined in domestic law and tax treaties, continue to be seen as appropriate in the new global economy • To address the significant increase in the service, including e-commerce and digital products where there is a separation of the place of productive activity and the physical location of customers • To develop a coordinated action plan to update the rules in order to better reflect modern business practices

“I believe this award is a reflection of the level of commitment and dedication we demonstrate when it comes to our clients. We always put the interests of our clients first and we operate based on high ethical values.”

In addition, some of BEPS action plan include: • Addressing the tax challenges of the digital economy • Neutralising the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements

www.acquisition-intl.com

International Tax Awards 2015

• • • •

Strengthening the CFC rules Limiting base erosion via interest deductions and other financial payments Counteracting harmful tax practices more effectively while taking into account transparency and substance Preventing treaty abuse

Speaking about these objectives, Parwin says: “I believe that it is a matter of time before there is a level of agreement between countries regarding a worldwide effective taxation system. However, we are a long way from a common approach and the road ahead can pose a few challenges for multinational companies.

“At GTS, we work closely with our clients, following developments to ensure that they can better manage their tax exposure. We are also committed to supporting our clients to enable them to overcome the challenges and we believe that these can also present opportunities that can be capitalised upon.”

Within the MENA region, GTS has made several crucial observations while working with its clients, including: • Subjective interpretations or inconsistencies in the type of tax treaty models adopted (OECD vs UN models), which can lead to difficulties in the practical application of the treaties. An element of disconnect between the tax laws and the practical application also exists in some countries, which can be a headache for multinationals • In some jurisdictions noticeably long delays in the processing of tax refunds • Lengthy and convoluted processes in obtaining evidence (usually in the form of a withholding tax receipt) of tax withheld on payments to non-resident corporate taxpayers. Such withholding tax receipts are important in year-end tax filing for corporate taxpayers in obtaining tax clearance cer-

tificates, which is a key document in a number of the MENA countries.

Indeed, we have assisted many clients to overcome this issue and over time have developed key contacts with relevant tax officials In addition, Parwin explains, it is also important to note that there are currently tax decrees for each of the Emirates of the UAE, which are only enforced on oil and gas companies and branches of foreign banks. An improvement in the UAE current tax system could entail a review of the effectiveness of the existing tax treaties that have been concluded by the UAE with regards to BEPS and other recent changes in the OECD model.

The issue of tax avoidance is also obviously a major consideration for the worldwide tax industry with the risks inherent in all tax systems. The nature of tax avoidance is that it is an imprecise concept and, due to the lack of precision, it creates uncertainty and increases compliance costs.

Avoidance typically involves: • Tax arbitrage - a set of riskless transactions, allowing parties to profit from an overall reduction in their tax • Financing transactions - using tax deductions to lower borrowing costs • Timing - deferring recognition of income or delaying payment of tax • The use or abuse of tax treaties As Parwin points out, there is no quick fix to the problem of tax avoidance, but there are certain steps that can help mitigate the risks. “Any successful approach hinges on many factors,” she says. “The solution lies in a co-ordinated approach of the elements of the tax system, which include policy design, resources, administration, legislation and environment.

“In terms of policy design, one needs to consider factors such as revenue goals, fairness and effectiveness in terms of economic, compliance and administrative costs and economic distortions. Also worthy of consideration is the extent of taxation of non- residents and the compliance and administrative costs of doing so.

“Legislation is another important element of the tax system and includes factors such as the nature of legislation (detailed code or general statements), the application of the law by the courts and the nature of anti-avoidance rules (general or specific).”

Another key consideration, stresses Parwin, is the availability of resources, which may constrain a country’s tax system and its anti-avoidance strategies.

The capability of administration resources is a very important component of the anti-avoidance system, an area that GTS works closely with its clients to address.

“Looking to the future, our aim is to educate and work with our existing and potential clients on the forthcoming changes in the international tax world so that they can mitigate their risks,” says Parwin.

10

International Tax Awards 2015

11

“We would like to thank the judging panel of Acquisition International for this initiative. We are extremely pleased and proud of the success of our young firm and this award is clear testimony to the level of service and commitment we provide to our clients.

“We constantly request feedback from clients after providing our services and whilst we have been having great responses, the award as the International Tax Firm of the year certainly cement the path for us to excel further in our field.”

Burj Khalifa tower. This skyscraper is the tallest man-made structure in the world, measuring 828m

www.acquisition-intl.com

Rostislav Kralik / Shutterstock.com

international tax planning firm of the year – cyprus

Meritservus Group

~ Meritservus is a Cyprus based financial and fiduciary services firm. We caught up with Chairman and Managing Partner, Demetris Ioannides to talk about how his country’s banking crisis has presented them with both challenges and opportunities.

12

International Tax Awards 2015

13

Name: Demetris Ioannides Website: www.meritservus.com Address: Eftapaton Court, 256, Makarios Avenue P.O Box 53180 CY-3301, Limassol, Cyprus

Phone: +357 - 25 85 77 00

A

s a high profile Cypriot company, Meritservus have experienced significant changes in their region since its financial crisis in 2012-2013. “2014 has been a very good year for our group,” says Ioannides. “Fortunately for us, we managed to take advantage of the opportunities that arose as a result of the Cyprus Banking crisis. However, the environment in which we are providing services is rapidly changing as the effects of the economic crisis. We are now experiencing European Sanctions and a greater level of transparency, which has affected the demand of professional services that are required from us. We have also noticed that clients demand a higher level of professionalism in the delivering of services.

“Cyprus has managed to weather well the difficult times of the global economic slowdown as well as the Banking crisis in Cyprus and Europe.

In Cyprus, I sincerely believe that there is no other jurisdiction offering the services that we can provide. As well as the benefits of our region, the company thrives to assist our clients in the acquisition or establishment of new businesses. Among the countries that our clients are expanding to is the Arab Gulf, Poland, Lebanon etc.”

According to Ioannides, the many benefits of investing in their region include: • European Union and Eurozone membership.

• Excellent legal, accounting, banking and telecommunication services.

• English Common Law Jurisdiction and compliant with the EU Acquis Communautaire.

• A reputable and attractive Tax Treaty Network with more than 40 countries. www.acquisition-intl.com

• A well-educated, trained and experienced business personnel well conversant in the English and other European languages.

• A strong shipping presence in the global maritime industry with Limassol being the largest ship management centre in the world.

Another avenue for potential gains is Cyprus’ tax regime. The country’s regime is the lowest in the EU with a tax rate of 12.5% and with certain income streams (e.g. capital gains, dividends) exempt from taxation. “With the recent changes in Russia and other countries we need to look at what our competitors are offering. Then we can ensure that we keep ahead of competition in order to maintain our status as the lowest tax regime in Europe. As such we need to introduce new concepts for example with regard to personal taxation etc.”

“In relation to tax avoidance, the current philosophy is that companies would like to pay a fair tax in the communities/ countries where they trade.

This of course refers more to multinational companies. It is not easy for the legislators to decide what type of legislation will be appropriate, because they don’t want companies being discouraged to operate and compete in their market place.”

One major change to taxation is Russia with the introduction of “deoffshoration legislation” for CFC companies. Speaking about this legislation, Ioannides commented: “These changes will affect the environment within which we will work, but at the same time will also present new opportunities to enhance or expand our services.”

International Tax Awards 2015

International Tax Awards 2015

Meriservus’ services are already quite extensive. The company’s wide range of facilities can be broken down into three categories: international tax planning, corporate finance, and financial services. International tax planning involves maximizing the tax advantages of international corporate clients, and developing business strategies to enable tax efficient structures using both Cyprus and international companies.

Corporate finance entails privatization, mergers and acquisitions, financial due diligence, capital raising and project valuations, as well as advice and assistance to companies considering going public. Financial services that we provide includes brokerage with trading lines with western capital market institutions and custody through a network of very well-known banking institutions.

Through this network of services, the company is determined to keep up to speed in a business world that evolves at such a quick pace. “We need to evolve ourselves and deliver new services accordingly. Our credentials are many, but the quality of our personnel and the diverse and strong client portfolio creates for us the environment to keep ahead of competition. We believe that we differentiate ourselves from the competition because we give personal attention to the needs of our clients. We thrive to respond quickly and are prepared to go to another level to meet clients’ expectations.”

14

www.acquisition-intl.com

International Tax Awards 2015

A testament to their high quality service is the awards they have received.

As well as this award, the company were recently awarded Most Progressive Broker Cyprus 2014 at the Meritkapital: Global Financial Market Review Awards. Furthermore, the company were recognized 2 times in a row by the Association of the Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK with regard to trainee development at Platinum level.

“During my business career we have received numerous awards either as head of Deloitte Cyprus but also as Meritservus Group as from 2005 onwards,” “says Ioannides. “The feeling of receiving a new award is similar to when a child receives a new present. However, for a professional firm the

15 feeling goes much deeper as it is a recognition from your peers that they do appreciate and salute our professionalism. Any reputable award like the Acquisition International Tax Award is a recognition by our peers of our ability to render the services to our clients.

“From the point of view of client exposure, I believe it is pleasing for existing clients to learn that their professional adviser is being recognised. For potential new clients it is an added assurance that they will be served and looked after appropriately.”

Looking to the future, Ioannides is confident their company will continue to perform to the high standard they set themselves. “We will always try to excel in providing our services. We are at the moment looking to continually expand the sphere of our services.”

Wind farm and windmills silhouettes in sunset light. Alexigros, Larnaca district, Cyprus.

www.acquisition-intl.com

transfer pricing partner of the year - brazil

~ Ernst & Young (known as EY) is a multinational professional services firm built on building a better world. We spoke to their Partner Marcio Rde Oliveira, who told us about the lucrative oil and gas industry in Brazil as well as the challenges they are facing.

16

International Tax Awards 2015

17

Name: Marcio R. RdedeOliveira Oliveira Website: www.ey.com Address: Praia de Botafogo, 370 - 7 Andar, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22.250-040, Brasil

Phone: +55 + 5521 213263-7209 21782446

Firstly, how does it feel to have been named Transfer Pricing Partner of the Year - Brazil?

Firstly, I would like to express how happy I am with this recognition. However, it should be highlighted that this achievement would not have happened without the help of the excellent team I have been working with along these past few years. I knew I could always count on them during the best and worst moments.

Please tell us about your business and the work you do, and give us an idea of what it is like to be a business working in your industry and environment at the present time.

As we’re based on Rio de Janeiro’s office, our practice is focused on the oil and gas industry. Regardless, we do provide services to other industries, such as mining, automobile, pharmaceutical, among others.

sources. This will lead to more oversight and challenges from Brazilian Tax Authorities regarding Transfer Pricing rules. This will especially effect the industries that have been less challenged in the last few years.

What are currently the main problems facing Brazil’s economy?

For more than three decades, Brazil has not invested in education and infra-structure and its result is the lack of qualified manpower (education) and facilities to increase and flow our production (infra-structure). In order to be back on the road towards growth, the country must invest in these areas. We should keep in mind that the results of this will only be seen in the next few decades. However, the sooner we start, the less time we lose.

What would you say are the strongest parts of your business?

Brazil’s Ministry of Finance recently reduced the threshold rate for tax haven classification. How do you think this will affect how the rules regarding transfer pricing are applied?

I could say, without any doubt, that it is our team’s quality, which reflects directly in the quality of our work. Before starting a new project, we try to understand the client’s business, its particularities and what their expectations in relation to our deliverables are. In order to better achieve this level of excellence, we have been focusing on internal training, including expatriation programs.

The characterization of tax heavens based on lists or prefixed tax rates has two sides; the positive one is the simplicity of the interpretation and application of the rule. The negative side is related to the rate itself, considering only the income tax, leaving aside other tax elements. Therefore, the effective tax rate is often not taken into consideration. Nonetheless, the recent tax rate reduction was positive from my perspective.

As 2014 comes to a close and we move into 2015, can you tell us about Brazil’s tax landscape? How has it changed over recent years, what have been the biggest and most significant developments?

What do you think awards like the Acquisition International Tax Awards mean, both to individual businesses and the wider industry?

Unfortunately, the main economic indicators show that 2015 will not be easy. Therefore, the Brazilian government will have to make adjustments so as to recapture the economic growth. In this scenario, the government will seek for alternative revenue

www.acquisition-intl.com

I believe that it is an important recognition of good practices and quality in services providing.

International Tax Awards 2015

International Tax Awards 2015

Why, specifically, do you think you have been given this award?

What about your business do you think led to your peers and clients voting for you? If it’s a particular project, please could you give us some details?

I believe the reasons include: i) the quality of our services; ii) the continuous technical improvement of our team; iii) the fact that we treat our clients as people, and not as statistics in a revenue spreadsheet; iv) our ongoing concern to better understand our clients’ business and main requests, and delivering a product according to its needs.

For example, I can share with you our experience with the services we have been delivering in the Oil and Gas industry over the last years. In the past four years, we have gained the industry’s reliance and have been providing services to over 90% of the industry in the Transfer Pricing area. To achieve this goal, EY has invested in training. I have completed an MBA in Oil and Gas (FGV) and now I’m studying for a master degree in tax accounting (FUCAPE). Because of all of this training, we could see opportunities not seen by the competition.

What plans does your firm have for the coming months and years?

In Transfer Pricing, we intend to continue investing in training, as our knowledge is our raw material of our deliverables. In that sense, besides continuing to provide services to our clients with the highest quality, we will be able to maintain a sustainable growth of our practice in Brazil.

Any further comments?

It should be highlighted that the monitoring (and possible challenges) by tax authorities regarding transfer pricing matters has been intensified. The new rules on interest deductibility and commodities reflect that. I believe that in the future, we will have a higher attention, by tax authorities, concerning services and intangibles.

18

www.acquisition-intl.com

Corporate Finance

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.� ~ Benjamin Franklin

M&A l Due Diligence l Specialist Tax Services l Valuations Contact details: 020 7549 8008 steve.govey@beavismorgan.com paul.smith@beavismorgan.com

www.beavismorgan.com Accountants and Business Advisers

international tax law firm of the year - brazil

Battella, Lasmar & Silva Advogados

~ Battella, Lasmar & Silva (BLS) combines highly qualified professionals found in large law firms with personal service and dedication, typical of smaller-sized firms. We believe giving a more personal service to our clients is what separates us from our competitors.

20

International Tax Awards 2015

21

Company: Battella, Lasmar & Silva Name: David Roberto R. Soares da Silva Website: http://www.blslaw.com.br/ Address: Rua Surubim, n. 577, 22o andar, Brooklin, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, CEP 04571-050

Phone: +55 11 4085-6200 Fax: +55 11 4085-6215

B

LS Advogados is not a big firm and it does not intend to become one.

The firm rather prefers rendering services in a more personal way trying to see the challenges presented to is from a client perspective.

According to David Roberto R. Soares da Silva, partner at BLS Advogados, “instead of saying that we find solutions (everybody does that) we try to provide insights valuable to clients concerning their own businesses”. Mr. Silva reports that a client some time ago requested the firm to prepare a tax study to import some equipment into Brazil. But in addition to show the applicable taxation, the firm suggested that the client should pursue specific tax breaks as its business had been included as a relevant sector by the federal government. So the firm partnered with the client and for months negotiated with federal and state authorities to reduce the tax burden on the client’s equipment. In the end, the client saved around 75% in import duties.

One of the firm’s core business is tax advice and planning, mainly to foreign companies and individuals investing in or trading with Brazil.

The complexity of Brazil’s tax system encouraged Mr. Silva to publish the Brazil Tax Guide for Foreigners in 2011, the only work in English that covers all aspects of Brazilian taxation. The book’s 3rd edition came out in August 2014 and so far it has reached more than 40 countries in the world. The book helped boosting the firm’s exposure worldwide and also with diplomatic services, which recommend the firm to companies in their home countries. This is the case for the UK, the US, France, Switzerland, Australia, and many more.

“My daily work basically consists of providing advice to foreign companies and individuals helping them to structure their business in the country, but www.acquisition-intl.com

we do not neglect working for local companies or local subsidiaries of multinational enterprises”, Mr. Silva says.

Among the firm’s biggest strengths come from the knowledge and experience in Brazillian taxation coupled with lawyers with solid tax background.

These features give BLS Advogados the capability to look at challenges from a different perspective and add more value to clients.

Brazil ends 2014 in very delicate fiscal situation. From an expected BRL 116 billion of primary surplus in the beginning of the year, the country will be lucky if it ends the year with any surplus whatsoever. Since the primary surplus serves to keep the country’s debt under control, the lack of it means that 2015 will be a difficult year and Brazil runs the risk to lose its investment grade from rating agencies.

The administration of president re-elect Dilma Rousseff has difficulties in cutting expenses to increase the surplus or avoid a deficit so the only choice seems to be to increase taxation in 2015. So far the government has not yet announced any tax increases, but there are rumours in that sense. “In my opinion, the government will try to increase indirect taxes as they are less transparent to the general public (meaning voters). I believe taxation will increase on fuel and imports”, Mr. Silva says.

Brazil is a complex country when it comes to taxation. The country has dozens of taxes applying to different businesses in a very complex way. If one takes imports for instance, five main taxes apply on imported goods, but their levy is not straight forward. Taxes apply over taxes which makes

International Tax Awards 2015

International Tax Awards 2015

taxation very burdensome. It can easily reach 60% or 65% of the CIF price of an import. For services, taxation is less complicated, but is also burdensome (it can reach 48%-50% of the price of the service).

For Mr. Silva, the only solution to this problem is “to simplify, simplify and simplify”. The country cannot growth at high rates with such a burdensome and complex tax system. According to the World Bank data, Brazilian companies spend (or waste) in average 2,600 hours per year to prepare and pay their taxes (the worst position in the ranking). In Latin America and the Caribbean the average is 503 hours/years, which is still quite high when you compared to 63 hours/year in Switzerland, 93 in Finland, 110 in the UK, 175 in the US and 261 in China, according to the World Bank.

Looking towards the future, BLS Advogados recently expanded to the nearby state of Minas Gerais, one of Brazil’s most important states with strong mining, steel, construction and reforestation business. In the next few years the firm plans plan to expand its presence in Minas Gerais. In the long run, the firm may consider opening a branch in the US and Europe.

For Mr. Silva, it is a great honour to receive this award as Tax Awards serves as a seal of quality of work performed by professionals from all over the world. He believes that the award shows that a professional is sufficiently exposed and well reputed in the country and internationally. “For me, I feel this is recognition of my hard work in taxation after so many years of practice rendering tax advice to companies and individuals from all over the world with interests and investments in Brazil”

We are not a big firm and we do not intend to become one.

We rather prefer rendering our services in a more personal way, trying to see the challenges presented to us from a client perspective.

22

www.acquisition-intl.com

transfer pricing firm of the year – netherlands best for transfer pricing controversy - netherlands

Quantera Global

~ As As aa dedicated dedicated TP TP firm, firm, Quantera Quantera Global Global takes takes time time to to really really understand understand clients’ clients’ needs needs and and aims, aims and to to askask thethe right right questions. questions.

WeWe caught caught upup with with Theo Theo Elshof, Elshof, Rudolf Rudolf Sinx Sinx and and Richard Richard Slimmen, Slimmen, Managing Managing Directors Directors at at Quantera Quantera Global, Global The The Netherlands, Netherlands, to to find find out out more more about about the the firm firm and its philosophy.

24

International Tax Awards 2015

Company: Website: Address:

25

Quantera Global B.V. www.quanteraglobal.com Eindhovenseweg 128, 5582 HW Waalre, The Netherlands

Telephone: +31 88 221 5800 Names: Theo Elshof, t.elshof@quanteraglobal.com

Richard Slimmen, r.slimmen@quanteraglobal.com

Rudolf Sinx, r.sinx@quanteraglobal.com

Q

uantera Global, The Netherlands, is part of the Quantera Global organisation, which was founded in early 2013. Quantera Global is currently active in 14 countries and is paving the way for further additions in the next couple of months. The Dutch firm, with office locations in both Amsterdam and Eindhoven, is employing 20 people and anticipating substantial further growth in 2015.

Quantera Global takes time to really understand clients’ needs and aims to ask the right questions. It is a way of working that has already won them many friends, colleagues and clients. Their core values, Passion, Ambition, Together and Humour, highlight what is important to them in business and how they prioritise things in life. It is their firm belief that they work better together by taking time to understand their drivers in life and business.

“We have always respected the importance of setting and achieving goals,” says Theo Elshof. “We understand the need for absolute professionalism, technical excellence and utmost integrity. All these attributes are essential for business sustainability. But just as air is essential for human life, breathing is not why we live. We live to enjoy life, to learn, grow and achieve. That is why we have defined our value drivers beyond business performance indicators. By reaching higher, you get more than sustainability, you get pride.”

The OECD project on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) and recent publications in the press highlighting extreme corporate tax planning have put Transfer Pricing (TP) in the centre of attention of MNE’s and tax authorities. www.acquisition-intl.com

Rudolf Sinx says the media’s strong focus on tax avoidance is, unfortunately, often linked automatically to transfer pricing. “However, transfer pricing by itself is nothing more than a legally prescribed instrument to be applied by MNEs,” he says. “It is the abusive use of the instrument that causes the public outrage. The BEPS actions will result in business models that will be better aligned with economic rationale and make less use of artificial structures to exploit tax loopholes.”

BEPS has stirred up the TP practice throughout the world. And, although the fight against tax avoidance may be sympathetic, there is a real risk that it will result in overkill and provide for a steep increase in transfer pricing disputes. Dispute resolution will become more important than it ever was before; a huge challenge for the international community will be to provide for an effective mechanism to handle all disputes in a proper way.

Richard Slimmen says that the main challenge in a TP dispute is to find an acceptable solution – rather than having a battle over who is right. “Our experience allows us to have a good understanding of the main drivers for tax officials when dealing with a dispute,” he says. “Focusing on the process and interaction with tax authorities, next to the content, often enables us to find solutions to pending disputes. There are many different tools in our toolbox and we decide together with our clients what tools to use. A tool that we expect to be applied more often is the use of Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) that allow MNEs to obtain a certain degree of certainty.

Especially bilateral or multilateral APAs will become more and more attractive tools to manage transfer pricing risks. Being able to avoid or solve disputes that really are a burden to your client is very rewarding. The TP controversy award shows that our approach is well appreciated by our clients.”

tax return specialists of the year - united kingdom

John Harrison & Company

~ John Harrison & Company is a UK chartered accountancy firm. What sets them apart from their competitors are is their the mission and service guarantees they give to their clients for the work they do.

26

International Tax Awards 2015

27

Email: john@johnharrison.co.uk Web: www.johnharrison.co.uk Address: 78 Carlton Rd, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 1PH Phone: 01909 472310 Fax: 01909 484622

O

ur Mission is to increase the wealth of all those that we are privileged to serve. We offer a Profit System that is designed to increase profits.

We also have a tax mitigation programme which is a 21 point questionnaire which makes sure our clients pay the least amount of tax possible.

Our service guarantees come from the mutual commitments that we enter into with all of our clients. Through these we guarantee that our fees will be agreed in advance of all assignments that we undertake, that we will always take telephone calls, meet deadlines and pay any penalties, interest and surcharges which might come from our shortcomings.

On top of all that, our clients have a full no quibble money back guarantee if they do not believe our service is of value for money.

Compliance work is horrendously price competitive largely due to unqualified accountants. The problem that we have in the UK is that the term ‘accountant’ is not protected in the same way that ‘solicitor’ or ‘doctor’ is. This means that anyone can buy a computer and call themselves an accountant. Through ignorance of the standards that they should apply to their work to produce correct accounts and tax returns they do much less work and can charge lower fees which are attractive to taxpayers who have no idea that they are dealing with an unqualified ‘accountant’.

Our Financial Management System helps us combat this issue because there is a package of services which are paid for monthly and we provide year end accounts and tax returns completely free of charge, which is very difficult for competitors to undercut!

The strongest parts of our business is our people and our operating systems.

Each member of our team is member of a professional body or studying to become one. As we are a knowledge based profession, the more our collective knowledge increases the better we are at delivering professional services.

Everyone has a professional development plan which is reviewed and updated

www.acquisition-intl.com

annually and we are members of training organisations who help our tem develop their skills.

Almost everything we do is recorded in our systems manuals which are hosted on the cloud so they are available for everyone to access and we have computer programmes, templates, spreadsheets and documents for most tasks we have to perform to make our work as proficient and effective as possible.

We have recently been chosen by an American company coming into the UK to set up their accounting and tax filing systems so that they are fully compliant with UK filing requirements. We have set up a full accounting system for them which meets UK requirements and also reports to their CFO in the US the results in US Dollars using the same general ledger coding structure in the US. Winning an International Tax Award means a great deal to us. We know from the testimonials that our clients give to us that they appreciate the work we do for them and the professional standards that we set. However, most of them have never had the opportunity of comparing us with other firms so winning an award such as this lets them know how highly we are valued.

I think the reason we won the award is the client service standards that we operate. I can’t imagine the tax returns and accounts look different to those prepared by other qualified accountants but the way we deliver our service certainly is. The money back guarantee that we give means that we always have to look at things through the eyes of our clients and make sure that their expectations are met.

Our plan for the future is to develop our Financial Management System as a ‘back office’ finance department so that we can handle all of our clients’ tax filing requirements and give them freedom to build their businesses.

We’re delighted to have been successful in the International Tax Awards 2015.

We believe that delivering a good tax service is not just about having the best software available and having a high level of technical knowledge but what is even more important to our clients is the quality of service they receive.

best tax services – thailand

Pricewaterhouse Coopers

~ PwC is a company founded on a culture of partnership with a strong commercial focus.

The company’s Tax Lead Partner Mr. Thavorn Rujivanarom spoke to us about their aim to set the standard and drive the agenda in their profession.

28

International Tax Awards 2015

29

Name: Mr. Thavorn Rujivanarom Email: thavorn.rujivanarom@th.pwc.com Website: www.pwc.com Address: 15th Floor Bangkok City Tower, 179/74-80 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120

Phone: (66) 2788 0000 Fax: (66) 2286 2666

W

e are a company with fully integrated tax and legal services that cover all aspects of taxation. Alongside these benefits, we also deliver a full range of legal services to our clients.

Not only do we know the industry, we also have a highly comprehensive knowledge of our region. Our experienced team possesses in-depth industry knowledge in Thailand, which we combine with our global network. This expertise allows PwC to deliver appropriate tax and legal solutions, formulate tax strategies and planning, as well as help our clients to manage implementation and risk. With all of these services combined, we are a company that creates exceptionally favourable conditions for potential clients to manage their tax activities with PwC Thailand.

With such a high standard of experience and expertise, it’s no wonder top professionals in Thailand choose our company. PwC’s law practice in Thailand comprises of highly qualified Thai lawyers with extensive experience of delivering quality legal services to major Thai and foreign corporations. We offer an extensive range of legal services from general advisory work to full transactional support and the structuring, restructuring, documentation and implementation of large-scale commercial projects. Legal advice can be provided either independently or in conjunction with the specialist tax, financial and other business advisory services that PwC offers in Thailand.

www.acquisition-intl.com

Our key tax services include: • Tax Compliance Services • Tax Dispute Resolution • Tax Mergers & Acquisitions • International Tax Services • VAT (Indirect Taxation) • Transfer Pricing Services • Outsourcing Services • Investment Promotion: BOI services • International Assignment Services (IAS) • Legal Services o Corporate and Commercial o Corporate Secretarial o Dispute Resolution and Litigation o Employment o Intellectual Property o Legal Mergers and Acquisitions

tax consultant of the year – germany

HSP STEUER

~ HSP is a group of independent accounting and tax firms located throughout Germany.

We We spoke spoke to to their their CPA, CPA Martin Martin Kopf Kopf about about the the firm’s firm’s holistic holistic approach approach when when giving giving advice advice on all accounting, tax and financial matters.

30

International Tax Awards 2015

Name: Martin Kopf, CPA Email: info@hsp-steuer.com Website: www.hsp-steuer.com Phone: +49 30 85 68 65 0

O

ur holistic approach involves offering a wide range of consulting services for both corporate and private interests. We support our clients reliably and with foresight to help them meet the demands of modern corporate developments. Our most defining feature is the strong working relationships we maintain with our clients. When working for our clients, we try to build relationships built on openness, respect and integrity Another feature that makes us unique is that we have a flat hierarchy and believe that each member of staff makes the difference. Whether someone is a tax advisor, lawyer, or auditor, their expertise and input is valued. As a result of being a top employer, we are able to provide exceptional support of our clients.

Part of proving exceptional support is also acknowledging the challenges we are currently facing. As we move further into 2015, tax is growing ever more complex and international. Recently the agreements by more than 50 countries to increase international exchange of information for tax purposes will not only curb tax avoidance, but also have other underlying features. It will ultimately boost tax competition between countries, change tax legislations, and lead to the need to optimize corporate structures.

www.acquisition-intl.com

31 AR Pictures / Shutterstock.com

With such a tentative tax environment, we are constantly expanding our knowledge base across borders to find optimal solutions for our clients. In order to remain competitive, we try out new ways to offer better services but still stay firmly with our feet on the ground. We are a group of entrepreneurs, and with that comes a diverse range of entrepreneurial thinking. It is with this environment, that we have an abundantly high level of creativity and client focus. Believe it or not, we have fun doing our job (yes, taxes may be fun!) and our clients welcome this approach.

Helping us face our challenges are awards such as this. Recognition from Acquisition International has multidimensional effects. For clients, assessing us as their (potential) agent it is a strong signal, showing HSP is a competent partner.

For our organization the award is an external acknowledgement we are on the right track. It is a great inspiration to keep up working hard. We think this award is due to the personal ties between our clients and us as well as our professional excellence leads peers and clients to voting for us.

Looking towards the future, we plan to enlarge our international professional network so we can offer our clients enhanced transnational solutions. We are proud of our growth both in both our client base and our business network. We firmly believe that we can steadily increase the number of cities where we offer our services.

best for general tax compliance - ireland

Mulcahy Gorman Mulcahy

~ MGM Accountants is an established practice in the Mid-West Region of Ireland and one of the country’s larger independent audit and accountancy practices. We spoke to their Tax Manager, Irene O’Connor, who believes the phrase ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ applies to their firm.

32

International Tax Awards 2015

33

Name: Irene O’Connor Email: ioconnor@mulcahygormanmulcahy.com Website: www.mulcahygormanmulcahy.com Address: 70/71 O’Connell Street, Limerick Phone: +353 61 413777

A

t MGM we are very fortunate to have commercially minded talented personnel for the various departments within the practice. This allows the firm to cater for all of our client’s demands in our fast moving and diverse professional services industry. With accountants, corporate secretarial, legal and taxation consultants all under ‘one roof’, clients are benefitting from a firm tailoring solutions to allow for informed business plans and goals to be achieved.

What we offer is a broad range of tax, auditing, accounting and corporate secretarial services to individuals and corporate entities. Unfortunately, in the last few years it was quite challenging to be working in the private sector during the recession. We were handling more cases where businesses were struggling to keep open rather than experiencing growth and profits. However, in 2015 we expect that the economic recovery will permeate through all sectors.

Part of Ireland’s economic recovery is that the Government is trying to be more supportive towards foreign direct investment (FDI). Last October, the Government announced further corporate residence rules illustrating Ireland’s commitment towards its taxation system. These new rules will allow Ireland to be globally accepted as an open, transparent, rules-based system which is fair and, most importantly, competitive. In recent years, the country has come under scrutiny as a potential tax haven, but going forward International companies based in Ireland can be assured that tax rates in place will continue to be protected. This should allow these companies to expand along with many more new International companies to become based in Ireland. www.acquisition-intl.com

Despite this optimistic outlook, there are still many challenges facing us at our region. The taxation landscape in Ireland has seen a lot of recent adjustments with an immense rise in capital taxes. At one time capital gains tax (CGT) was 20% but now stands at 33%, and the gift tax (CAT) threshold allowances between parents and children was over €540,000 but is now €225,000. These types of changes, along with the removal of a number of tax reliefs once available, result in it being challenging to plan long-term tax strategies. Therefore, in our region it is most beneficial to revise business and personal tax planning annually to accommodate any new Budget changes introduced.

Another obstacle we are facing is the relatively high rate of income tax.

Ireland has a small domestic economy which is very reliant on FDI, and one of the main challenges presented to attract FDI is the high effective income tax rate when compared to other countries. With the introduction of the Universal Social Charge (USC) in 2011, Ireland’s effective tax rate for someone on the national average salary of €35,000 is 21% when compared to 19% in the USA. This gap widens even more where the salary is €75,000 as Ireland’s effective tax rate rises to 37.5%, compared to 26% in the USA. This is a concern when persuading top level executives to reside in Ireland.

It is also important that more tax incentives are given to existing businesses to encourage these businesses to continue and develop rather than targeting the majority of new tax reliefs at start-ups.

With the challenges we face in our region, it is a privilege to have received an award at an International level. The Acquisition International Tax Awards allow organisations across the globe to have their time and dedication to

International Tax Awards 2015

International Tax Awards 2015

their business acknowledged by their colleagues and clients. To receive an award is accrediting a quality assurance mark to the recipient and recognising that other leading experts in their respective fields approve the calibre of the recipient.

We believe we won this award because we offer creative solutions to our clients. We grow with a client from inception and plan all aspects of their finances to grow and preserve wealth. This mind-frame within the firm has allowed us to grow indigenously without the need to merge with other firms to expand our portfolio. The firm’s paradigm of growing with the client has led to four decades of organic growth. With a presence in the Eurozone as well as being English speaking, Ireland with its favourable tax regime is an attractive location for international business. Over the last decade MGM has established its position providing tax and legal structuring advice to a growing base of international businesses. Furthermore, we regularly receive client referrals citing our efficient turnaround and multidisciplinary offering as our key selling points.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

It is a great honour to receive recognition two years in a row by accepting such a prestigious award. We always strive to provide exceptional service and value to our clients. We are very proud of this wonderful accomplishment and that our level of service offered for this past year is to be recognised professionally.

Looking towards the future, MGM has successfully positioned itself as a specialist advisory firm for foreign companies wishing to establish a presence in Ireland in order to avail of the attractive taxation regime prevalent in Ireland.

We have built on existing alliances with international legal and tax advisory firms in more than 20 foreign jurisdictions. Moreover, we plan to further grow our international tax advisory service by continuing to offer our proven international tax and legal services.

34

www.acquisition-intl.com

We believe sound tax advice is more important than ever. It requires not only professional expertise but above all insight into our clients’ wishes and goals.

Our personalized commitment adds real value to our tax advice, which is reflected in the C&B More motto: ´Connect to add value´. We are specialized in advising the Shipping Industry with (re)financing and structuring challenges. We provide tax planning services to optimize financing structures or to provide new opportunities.

Rotterdam Van Nelleweg 1 3044 BC Rotterdam +31 10 7503195

Groningen Peizerweg 87B 9727 AH Groningen +31 50 7115290

Postal address: P.O. Box 13023 3004 HA Rotterdam

Connie.roozen@cb-more.com +31 6 51226404 Hendrik.boonstra@cb-more.com +31 6 47090150

www.cb-more.com

transfer pricing firm of the year - turkey

~ KPMG Turkey’s transfer pricing department is a dynamic and proactive consultancy which adds value to companies and provides pragmatic solutions. BaĹ&#x;ak Diclehan Ereke, Director at KPMG Turkey, told us more.

36

International Tax Awards 2015

37

Name: Başak Diclehan Ereke Email: bdiclehan@kpmg.com Website: www.kpmg.com.tr Address: Kavacık Rüzgarlı Bahçe Mah, Kavak Sok.No:29 Beykoz 34805, Istanbul Turkey

Phone: +90 216 681 91 00

K

PMG Turkey’s transfer pricing department serves various multinational companies in every aspect of transfer pricing. “Our main services are providing consultancy services in transfer pricing audits and tax dispute resolutions; preparation of transfer pricing documentation studies; taking active role in APA negotiations and providing consultancy services such as TP planning and TESCM,” says Başak Diclehan Ereke, Director at KPMG Turkey.

KPMG Turkey’s transfer pricing department is a dynamic and proactive consultancy which adds value to companies and provides pragmatic solutions, and this is appreciated by Turkey’s taxpayers, says Ereke. “To sustain value added services, our transfer pricing team in KPMG Turkey remains at the heart of all debate. The transfer pricing team of KPMG in Turkey includes professionals dedicated to providing robust, forward-thinking advisory services that not only consider the short-term needs of clients’ businesses, but also the longer-term implications.”

Transfer pricing rules, introduced in 2006, have still not reached maturity, says Ereke. “Taxpayers and tax authorities are getting more knowledge on the principles of transfer pricings each year. On the other hand, there is still a lack of know-how in the sector. Therefore, the strongest part of our business stems from our deep expertise and knowledge in transfer pricing which we can use best for our clients and society.”

Awards success

KPMG Turkey’s transfer pricing department has been named Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year – Turkey in the Tax Awards 2015. www.acquisition-intl.com

“It is an honour for myself and my team to be successful in the Tax Awards 2015,” says Ereke. “The award is a way of demonstrating that our clients do appreciate our contribution their business and accept us as trusted transfer pricing advisors.

“The award is a symbol of our recognition in the market. Being a partner of our customers, showing interest in our communities and collaboration with our people provide its fruits with these awards.

“Turning a routine service to an exciting game differentiates us from the market. We listen to our clients and understand their needs and response to that needs with highly motivated professionals.”

A changing environment

There has been a significant increase in the number of tax audits in recent years, says Ereke. “The structural change in the tax audit organisation of the Ministry of Finance contributed to the increased number of transfer pricing audits. Tax authorities in Turkey are gaining experience in transfer pricing area and the amount of tax assessments are showing an increasing trend.

“Companies operating in Turkey are much keener to prepare strong documentation studies and prepare a strong defence road map in case of transfer pricing audits. Building up a tax audit strategy is crucial in order to defend and avoid the challenges of tax authorities – which is like playing chess.

“In addition, tax payers are trying to evaluate alternatives to avoid tax risks in relation to transfer pricing. In this respect, Advance pricing Agreements

International Tax Awards 2015

International Tax Awards 2015

(APA) arises as a valuable solution and a proactive approach to eliminate transfer pricing risks that might rise in the future.”

Asked about the ways in which the tax system in Turkey could be improved, Ereke says, “The Turkish government should take the necessary actions to fight with the unrecorded economy. Turkish tax revenue is dependent on indirect taxes, which creates an inequality in the tax burden of corporations/ citizens.

“The government has made important improvements in terms of international taxation rules. We also expect the government to react to the recent international developments like BEPS, and make necessary revisions. The corporate governance principles which ensure transparency and coherence should be more focused.”

To curb corporate tax avoidance, a fair taxation system should be designed, says Ereke. “The tax amnesties have a negative impact on entities which are accurately paying their taxes. The impact of tax amnesties should be elaborated before implementation. Action plans of the BEPS project should be followed by the Turkish government delicately.”

The transfer pricing department at KPMG Turkey is currently working on possible changes in a transfer pricing communique which is due to be presented to the Turkish government, Ereke says. “As practitioners dealing with both tax payers and tax authorities, we can construct a bridge which conveys inputs to make the theoretical side to be more in line with sectorial practices.”

In the future, KPMG Turkey’s transfer pricing department will keep providing the same quality services, Ereke says. “On the other hand, we will take active roles in the leadership and development of Turkey’s transfer pricing rules and laws, in line with global standards.”

38

www.acquisition-intl.com

corporate profiles

tax law firm of the year – belgium

Afschrift Law Firm Name: Thierry Spyridon Afschrift Chatzigiannis Email: avocats@afschrift.com spyridon.chatzigiannis@afschrift.com Website: www.afschrift.com Address: Avenue Louise, 208, 1050 Brussels, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 646 46 36 Fax: +32 2 644 38 00

T

he Afschrift Law Firm is more than just an association of tax lawyers.

We spoke to their Associate Lawyer Spyridon Chatzigiannis about how all of their members share the same vision and support the same commitment to advise and defend taxpayers, be they individuals or businesses, both in Belgium and abroad.

Created in 1994 by Thierry Afschrift, our law firm brings together lawyers with extensive knowledge in every field of tax law in the widest sense of the term.

We are a company where all of our lawyers share the same values. They fully understand the importance of adopting a global vision in every situation, in response to queries from our clients on the management of their professional businesses or their private assets. They also know that the success of their interventions depends upon speed, efficiency and confidentiality.

Furthermore, we are aware of the increasing internationalisation of our clients’ private and professional activities and of the complex nature of their taxation matters. We have opened offices at Antwerp, Madrid, Geneva, Luxembourg, Tel Aviv and Hong Kong. Clients who would like face-to-face meetings with our lawyers, may make appointments in any of these offices.

When it comes to questions of taxation, these days it is vital to be versatile.

The vast majority of business transactions carried out by taxpayers, whatever their nature and legal status, have some sort of tax implications. Our lawyers stand ready to provide assistance, from planning to the execution of these transactions, and to defend your interests when confronted by tax authorities, both in Belgium and abroad. Our whole range of our services include: • Private individuals • International • Islamic finance • Companies and legal entities • Tax law and financial crime law

40

International Tax Awards 2015

overall tax transfer pricing firm offirm the year of the -year greece – turkey

KPMG Advisors A.E (Greece) Name: Georgia Stamatelou Email: gstamatelou@kpmg.gr Address: 3 Stratigou Tombra Str, Aghia Paraskevi 153 42, Athens, Greece

Phone: +30 21060 62 100

41

K

PMG is a global network of professional firms operating in 155 countries and having more than 162,000 people working in member firms around the world. Their Greek member firm has been operating for almost 45 years in both Greece and abroad, and we got a chance to speak to their Head of Tax Services Georgia Stamatelou.

KPMG operates through 4 entities and offers audit, tax, accounting and payroll, legal as well as advisory services. Working for both domestic and international businesses, we employ over 400 high-caliber professionals in our offices in Athens and Thessaloniki. The majority of these professionals hold post-graduate degrees and possess significant specialized expertise.

Our wide range portfolio of tax services enables our clients to comply with tax obligations in an ever changing local and international tax environment. Moreover we ensure that they can successfully face complex business challenges, including across industry sectors or accessing national boundaries.

The main services we provide include: • Corporate tax: - Advice on corporate tax matters including tax treatment of existing or proposed transactions and on mergers, conversions or other restructuring. We also provide tax compliance services.

- Tax diagnostic reviews.

- Tax due diligence in the context of an acquisition.

- Review of contracts from a tax point of view.

• Cross border tax: - Overall examination of tax implications arising from incoming and outbound investments (with or without the use of Holding Companies) and cross border transactions.

- Advice on tax issues relating to cross border payments or receipt of fees, royalties, interests and dividends in light of double tax treaties and European Tax Law. - Assistance with the implementation of treaties for the avoidance of double taxation.

- Tax planning in relation to utilisation of foreign tax credits.

- Identifying tax provisions incompatible with EU Law or with double tax treaties in order to reduce tax obligations and to request tax refunds.

• - - - -

Transfer pricing: Advice and assistance with planning on transfer pricing issues.

Assistance with transfer pricing documentation.

Benchmarking studies.

Assistance with Advance Pricing Agreements.

• Indirect taxes and real estate: - Advice, tax planning and compliance services in relation to Real Estate and in relation to indirect taxes (VAT, stamp duty etc.).

- Cross border VAT advice and assistance.

• - - - -

Global Mobility Services: Examination of executive payment schemes and of personal tax issues in general.

Tax compliance services.

Advice and assistance with social security issues and exemptions.

Advice and assistance in structuring international secondments and on immigration matters.

• Tax audit and litigation support.

www.acquisition-intl.com

42 tax firm of the year - switzerland

ADB Altorfer Duss & Beilstein AG Email: adb@adbtax.ch Website: www.adbtax.ch Address: Walchestrasse 15, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland Phone: +41 44 267 63 00 Fax: +41 44 267 63 90

A

DB is one of the leading tax law firms in Switzerland, providing personal and individually tailored advice in relation to all aspects of life with tax implications and all business decisions.

ADB stands for Altorfer Duss & Beilstein and is based in Zurich. It was founded as a partnership in 1954 and transformed into a corporation in 2005. ADB is one of the leading tax law firms in Switzerland.

Taxes – that’s our business. We are an independent tax law firm and offer national and international clients comprehensive consultancy focusing on Swiss and international tax law and bordering areas of Swiss business law. Our services are based on decades of professional experience and are characterised by recognised specialist expertise.

Professional dialogue with the tax authorities provides the basis for optimal solid solutions.

Due to our membership with NEXIA International and our well established long-time contacts with foreign advisers, we are able to guarantee our clients a competent service in an international environment.

With our avocational roles as lecturers, specialist writers and judges, we each provide our own additional contribution to the development of tax law and ensure at all times that our know-how is up to date.

We provide personal and individually tailored advice in relation to all aspects of life with tax implications and all business decisions: from high net worth individuals to institutional investors; from the SME to the listed company; from incorporation through to succession planning; from the concept through to implementation and its reproduction in tax returns and tax assessments.

We advise our clients, which originate from various sectors, regarding national and international corporate tax law (taxes on profits and capital, withholding tax, stamp duties [issuance stamp tax and securities transfer tax]). Moreover, our services include advice in relation to value added tax and customs issues. If desired, we will not only prepare tax concepts made to measure for your company, but will also ensure the legal implementation and attend to their operational execution.

Contacts

M&A - Jürg Altorfer, +41 44 267 63 80, juerg.altorfer@adbtax.ch Capital Markets & financial products Fabian Duss, +41 44 267 63 67, fabian.duss@adbtax.ch Cross-border structuring Andreas Helbing, +41 44 267 63 65, andreas.helbing@adbtax.ch Tax litigation - Marco Greter, +41 44 267 63 63, marco.greter@adbtax.ch Indirect taxes Britta Rehfisch, T +41 44 267 63 74, britta.rehfisch@adbtax.ch Corporate & contract law, inheritance law Urs Zeltner, +41 44 267 63 66, urs.zeltner@adbtax.ch HNWI - High Net Worth Individuals Pascal Taddei, + 41 44 267 63 88, pascal.taddei@adbtax.ch Real estate tax law Mathias Häni, + 41 44 267 63 85, mathias.haeni@adbtax.ch

International Tax Awards 2015

43

best for tax advice on reorganizations - germany

LW TAX Lemaitre Wittkowski GmbH Name: Claus Lemaitre, Dr. Ansas Wittkowski Email: claus.lemaitre@lwtax.de, ansas.wittkowski@lwtax.de Website: www.lwtax.de Address: Steuerberatungsgesellschaft, OhmstraĂ&#x;e 3 D-80802 MĂźnchen - Munich, Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 89 38 66 78 99 10, +49 (0) 89 38 66 78 99 0

O

perating nationally and internationally, LW TAX is a dynamic tax boutique firm based in the centre of Munich, Germany. We spoke to partners Claus Lemaitre and Dr. Ansas Wittkowski about how they provide one-stop shop services for foreign groups and investors starting or expanding their business in Germany.

High service, efficiency and direct lines of communication are indispensable to LW TAX’s mission. But LW TAX offers more: its advice is convincing, it gives clients direction and is followed up by constructive support during the implementation process. In addition, LW TAX also provides tax compliance and accounting services at a fair price/performance ratio. This full-tax-service approach is the logical consequence of its advisory concept, which is based on the idea that a tax project is not completed until it is successfully implemented. Our approach is that the tax project is completed when it is actually lived in practice by the client and the final tax audit of the client has been weathered.

We are a company that does not distinguish itself solely through its service-oriented and proactive approach. We also stand out as a firm that actively helps its clients to make best decisions. Therefore, LW TAX does not merely provide a list of opportunities that are available under the law, but explains which option appears to be the most opportune from a tax and a commercial point of view. This means that LW TAX actively participates in decision-making processes, where appropriate, and it subsequently offers active support in implementing the decisions made. In addition, LW TAX provides current services such as accounting, preparation of tax returns and financial statements pursuant to German and International GAAP and German tax law.

Furthermore the team focuses in particular on complex, often cross-border, special tax issues. These include merger and acquisition, recapitalisation, restructuring, expatriate taxation as well as numerous special topics of international tax law. Alongside publicly traded company groups and private equity investors from Germany and abroad, we also serve medium-sized businesses expatriates and wealthy individuals.

www.acquisition-intl.com

44 best tax accountant - italy

Batini Colombo Saottini

Email: info@studio-bcs.com Website: www.studiobcs-en.com http://www.studiobcs-en.com/ Address: Via Alfredo Tornaghi, 59, 20062 Cassano d’Adda, Milan, Italy

Phone: +39 0 363 36 02 54 Fax: +39 0 2 95441818

B

atini Colombo Saottini is a general partnership made of Chartered Accountants, Registered Auditors, Attorneys at Law and HR Consultants coming together with the aim of providing leading standards advisory, corporate and legal services.

Our business model: ONE-POINT-OF-CONTACT When it comes to going global, you need to rely on experts, that can provide you with scalable solutions and all information you need all in a row and, at the same time, preserve you from risks that come from being not compliant with local laws and regulations. We base our business on this principal so we can save your Chief Financial Officers’ headaches in managing several professionals, such as accountants, HR specialists and lawyers in every jurisdiction where your company does business. We make it simple and put all the pieces together for you. So your employees can concentrate on the core business of your company and you can save time, money and resources normally dedicated to administrative matters.

Our expertise • Accounting and reporting • Tax (direct, indirect, international) • Payroll (including expats) • Compliance • Employment and corporate Law • Transaction services

Our experience For nearly two decades we know what we do well and how to make our expertise work to your advantage. We know risk and we know how to reduce it: our supervisory procedures of all work coming from our in-house professionals or affiliate firms, allow us to reduce fines and penalties and advise you at the best to win in competitive markets and accomplish impossible missions.

We have Clients from more than 40 countries around the world, so our professional teams can assist your company having a encyclopedical knowledge of Italian laws and procedures and how they have to be applied to foreign corporations investing in Italy. With Batini Colombo Saottini your overseas operations are in good hands: our employees are trained to work on Client’s matters as if they were managing their own business.Integrity, accuracy, independence, devotion, improvement and team-working are the tiers on which we built our success.

When it comes to incorporate a new legal entity, being it a Representative Office, a Branch or a Limited, hiring employees, processing local accountings and filing local books, submitting tax returns in a foreign country, you need to rely on experts: Batini Colombo Saottini assists its Clients without compromises on high quality standards, although charging reasonable fees.

Our Achievements As well as winning this award, Batini Colombo Saottini constantly receives recognition for its services. In 2013, it became a correspondent firm for Bloomberg BNA and was recommended by Global Accountancy Experts as one of the leading accounting and tax teams in Italy. In 2012 and 2011, it was voted by the World Tax-the international guide to tax advisory firms with the world highest ranking, includes Batini Colombo Saottini among its consultants.

International Tax Awards 2015

best for creative industry tax reliefs - uk

Bambridge Accountants Email: info@bambridgeaccountants.co.uk Website: www.bambridgeaccountants.co.uk/ Address:1 Mercer Street, London, WC2H 9QJ Phone: 020 3757 9290

45

B

ambridge Accountants offer accounting services to the creative industries. They spoke to us about their client base, which includes actors, dancers, film directors and producers, stage managers and film and TV companies.

We started as a small firm in 2010, with just one member of staff - Alistair Bambridge. As the number of clients has increased, more employees were added to the business. We now have six members of staff and will be growing to 11 by the summer of 2015.

Our office is in the heart of Covent Garden; the perfect location for the clients that we work with. Covent Garden is the home to plenty of studios and performing arts venues, including the Royal Opera House and Pineapple Dance studios. These surroundings enable our clients to visit us around working hours for meetings and if any queries need to be answered.

Creative Industry Tax Reliefs

Bambridge Accountants specialises in the Creative Industry Tax Reliefs, which allow companies who qualify to claim a larger deduction, or maybe even able to claim a payable tax credit. These reliefs include: • Film tax • Animation tax • High-end television tax • Video games development • Theatre tax

Our values

Bambridge Accountants is built on the understanding that clients can and should receive exclusive, specialised advice suited to their individual needs.

Through professional consultation, and honest and open communication with clients, we can save our clients time and money while helping them pursue their unique goals.

Our Billing philosophy

Rather than persist in the industry-wide practice of only offering clients the option of paying by the hour, we offer flat-rate services and task-based billing.

We work with our clients to find a billing structure and an accountancy and tax strategy that works best for that client’s individual needs, taking into account the type of project and anticipated work.

www.acquisition-intl.com

46 best in canada for cross-border taxation & succession planning

Tax Chambers LLP Name: Sunita Doobay, LLB, LLM (US Tax, NYU), TEP Address: 155 University Avenue, Suite 1230 Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 3B7

Phone: +1 416-847-7300

T

axChambers LLP is a tax law boutique based in the financial district of Toronto, Canada. We spoke to their Cross-border U.S. and Canadian Tax Partner Sunita Doobay about their full range of Canadian and US tax law services.

For both Canada and the US tax law, we provide services including tax planning, controversy and related legal services to clients throughout the world. Our firm’s ranks include a distinguished tax law professor and the most cited authority by the Supreme Court of Canada, a former treasurer of the Law Society of Upper Canada, former president of the Certified General Accountants of Ontario and a commissioner of the Ontario Securities Commission.

Our lawyers contribute regularly to peer reviewed legal journals. Our firm has authored and co-authored leading textbooks including The Fundamentals of Income Tax, The Annotated Partnerships Act of Ontario, as well as The Tax Advisor’s Guide to the Canada-US Tax Treaty. Moreover, we co-edit Privately Held Companies & Taxes, a quarterly newsletter published by Thomson Reuters.

International Tax Awards 2015

international tax specialists of the year - netherlands

BDO Website: www.bdo.nl

47

T

he Dutch arm of global accountancy network BDO employs around 2,200 professionals who are based in 29 offices throughout the country, thus combining broad advisory capacity with a local focus We are one of the leading international networks of accountants and financial advisors. We offer a wide range of services across three disciplines: accounting, tax and consultancy. We have local presence, drawing on the expertise and resources of a global network. The Dutch arm employs about 2,200 professionals who are based in 29 offices throughout the country. This is how we combine broad advisory capacity with a local focus. The Dutch BDO arm is a member of the global BDO network, which has more than 1,300 offices in over 151 countries and about 60,000 employees. Our global revenue in 2014 is over € 5.1 billon. Our global reach allows us to provide services that stretch far beyond the borders of our own country.

Aim

Our aim is to be the trustworthy advisor and independent auditor of our clients and of the community at large. Our aim is to deliver exceptional client service to our clients by being personal, pragmatic, professional and passionate. That is how we make a difference for our clients.

Our professionals offer services across a wide spectrum of market segments, ranging from family businesses to listed companies, and from non-profit organisations to public bodies. BDO professionals and specialists ensure that clients are given practical, high quality and tailor-made answers to whatever questions they might have. Sound advice in response to clients’ cross-border questions is also readily available through the BDO global network. This requires the presence of broad knowledge and flexibility, combined with specialist expertise where needed. At BDO, we have formed sector groups to bundle our sector knowledge. The groups provide tailor-made services to our clients on a multidisciplinary basis.

Zooming in on our tax service proposition

Our international tax professionals take a pragmatic and proactive approach to serving the tax interests of our clients. We advise about the best fitting international structure, prepare periodic tax returns, check tax assessments and rulings, and represent clients in tax procedures.

We see it as our mission to steer them through the maze of ever-changing tax rules. Our tax professionals sit down with their clients to identify potential pitfalls and capitalise on opportunities. Because of the complexity of the tax rules, we offer in-house specialists in the field of International Tax Services (like Transfer Pricing, Tax Automation and Tax restructuring), Payroll Tax, VAT, Estate Planning and Pensions Services.

www.acquisition-intl.com

48 sustained excellence in tax litigation - mexico

Arias, Meurinne y Rodríguez, S.C. Email: amyr@amyr.com.mx Address: Prol. Paseo de la Reforma 1236 Piso 5 Desarrollo Santa Fe C.P. 05348 Del. Cuajimalpa México, D.F.

Phone: 55 5280 5240

A

t Arias, Meurinne y Rodríguez, S.C. we provide original, straightforward and solid solutions to the most complex litigation and consultation problems regarding Tax, Administrative and Constitutional Law trusted to us by our international and national Clientele. Chambers and Partners has expresses of the Firm recently: “What the team is known for Sector knowledge spanning a diversity of tax matters including double tax treaties, litigation and representation of clients before the tax authorities.”

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“These lawyers particularly stand out for their tax litigation practice. Arias, Meurinne y Rodríguez, S.C. is a competitive player in the market.”

Notable practitioners

Luis Meurinne is praised by sources as a “sophisticated consultant and a very good lawyer.”

Pedro Arias Garrido is considered by sources to be a “respected litigator who is making a name for himself.”

Furthermore, Acquisition International recognized the Law Firm this year with two coveted awards. Tax Awards 2014 Acquisition International Tax Awards Sustained Excellence in Tax Litigation Mexico. 2014 Acquisition International Tax Awards.Tax Litigation Law Firm of the Year. These awards are client and peer reviewed, thus highlight the commitment we deliver to each one of our clients and the perception that the Mexican legal market has of us.

The Law Firm’s Tax, Administrative and Constitutional litigation practice, is built around four partners each of them with at least 20 years of experience in Court and who personally develop and implement the best possible legal strategies in order to increase our Clients possibilities of success. Since the Firm participates in an average of 500 plus high-profile Tax, Administrative and Constitutional cases every year, some of them making even headline news, we have accumulated the experience to deal with the most wide array of problems, including and excelling in matters that involve International Tax issues, such as Double Taxation Conventions and national provisions with international effect. We make it our business to understand the business of each of our Clients, their goals and needs, tailoring individual solutions for each one of them.

At Arias, Meurinne y Rodríguez, S.C. we create unique solutions, for unique legal problems.

International Tax Awards 2015

best in employment tax - uk

Tax Business Ltd

49

T

ax Business Ltd deals with taxation compliance aspects, such as the preparation of Tax Returns and, if appropriate, accounts for individuals, sole-traders, partnerships and small companies.

This is the 2nd year the company has won this award, which Founder Ken Voller is delighted to receive. “I was so pleased to find out that Tax Business Ltd had been successful in the Tax Awards 2015,” said Voller. “Not least because this is the second year running that we have been recognised for the good work that we do.”

Experience

The business was set up approximately ten years ago when Voller resigned as the Director of Taxation Services of a national firm of accountants in Southampton. Voller had been dealing with taxation matters for 30 years and set up his own business to provide efficient and cost-effective taxation advisory services.

“I started out by offering taxation advice and compliance services from home,” explains Voller. “But now my company operates from offices in Romsey. Clients are diverse, ranging from sole traders, small and medium companies, High Net Worth Individuals and a number of international organisations.

“Although looking after a range of business and taxation aspects for a variety of clients, a central part of my business is dealing with employment tax matters and advising on this to clients and other accountants etc.”

Changes

Tax Business Ltd has adapted to the many changes that have arisen in employment taxation and the additional requirements needed from its clients.

Name: Ken Voller Email: ken@tax-business.co.uk Website: www.tax-business.co.uk Address: Salt Mill Barn, Old Salisbury Lane, ROMSEY Hampshire, SO51 0GD

Phone: 07914 762 375 Fax: 0845 130 6381

“The traditional view of employment taxation has been merely the calculation of PAYE Tax/NIC deductions to arrive at the net pay for an employee. However, over the years, employers have needed to take on a raft of additional rules and regulations such as Statutory Payments (Sickness and Maternity), National Minimum Wage, Working Time Directives, Real Time Information, Workplace Pensions, etc.

This has occurred throughout a time when employers are, effectively, unpaid Collectors of Taxes!”

Future

“During 2014, I have been involved in a number of significant employment related projects mainly involving the reorganisation of client workforces to take into account the additional requirements of ‘Real Time Information’ (RTI) obligations, and the move towards the new ‘Workplace Pensions’ regime that is just around the corner for most employers. There has also been scope for additional work relating to rewards for employees including ‘Flexible Benefits’, ‘Enterprise Management Incentives’ (EMI), and other share incentive arrangements. None of this strays into any of the less acceptable areas of tax planning but uses legislation in the way that it has always been intended.

“This has been another busy year and, although I cannot predict the future, I hope and expect to continue to do more of whatever it is that I am already doing for my existing and future clients.”

www.acquisition-intl.com

50 transactional tax firm of the year – belgium

De Broeck Van Laere & Partners Name: Didier Van Laere Email: dvl@dvp-law.com Website: www.dvp-law.com Address: Jules Besmestraat 124, B – 1081, Brussels, Belgium Phone: + 32 (0)2 423 00 42 Fax: + 32 (0)2 423 00 32

S

ince 1998, De Broeck – Van Laere & Partners has grown into a professional and dynamic team of lawyers, offering companies and private individuals integrated legal services, ranging from compliance to consulting and litigation.

Led by partners, Leo De Broeck, Didier Van Laere, Jan Van Camp, Bart Coopman and Marc Quaghebeur, the firm now operates offices in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp.

In stark contrast to traditional law firms, the company’s professionals work as tax business lawyers and estate planners, and consider businesses’ managers, bankers and notaries to be their principal client group.

The firm’s objective is to find tailor-made and pragmatic solutions while paying special attention to quality and strategic insight.

De Broeck Van Laere & Partners is based on two ain pillars, namely its tax and corporate departments. The firm’s specialist and academic know-how and the permanent synergy between these departments are undeniably among the firm’s strongest assets and are conducive to the timely and effective settlement of cases.

In order to optimise the services provided to its growing client base, all concerned with the firm strive to continually enhance their knowledge of the law by teaching seminars, actively taking part in academic activities and contributing to frequently to books and magazines in their particular area of specialisation.

International Tax Awards 2015

recognised leader in tax investigations services - uk

Independent Tax Email: gary@independent-tax.co.uk stephen@indpendent-tax.co.uk

Phone: Freephone: 0800 001 6686 Gary Brothers - 07985 768888 Stephen Outhwaite - 07949 929663

Website: www.indpendent-tax.co.uk

51

I

ndependent Tax are among the UK’s most highly sought after and skilled tax dispute professionals.

We are Independent Tax, formed by Gary Brothers and Stephen Outhwaite.

We are highly experienced tax dispute professionals, having a wealth of experience both in professional practice and, before that, as Senior HM Revenue & Customs Tax Inspectors, where we were both Senior Investigators. In addition, our team also has HMRC on their CV. We pride ourselves in being amongst the UK’s most highly sought after and skilled tax dispute professionals. We provide an unrivalled level of client service and pride ourselves on our professionalism, independence and non-judgmental way in which we resolve tax disputes for our clients. Our client’s often talk about our “hands on” approach, which means so much to them during the inevitable stresses of a tax dispute. Client’s routinely recommend us and we are also recognised by our peers as amongst the leading tax dispute practices.

We have an excellent record of securing positive outcomes for clients. With over 50 years’ experience of tax disputes, we are uniquely positioned to advise and support clients in all aspects of a tax or HMRC dispute.

We have no particular type of client – big, small or anything in between, individual, corporate or individual, onshore or offshore and we cover all HMRC taxes and duties – corporation tax, income tax, PAYE, National Insurance and VAT to name but a few. The one common feature to all of our assignments is that our client has an issue or dispute of some sort with HMRC. We have offices in London, North and East Yorkshire and Spain. We pride ourselves on our mobility and our clients are located throughout the UK and beyond. We always travel to clients and distance is no barrier.

www.acquisition-intl.com

52 client choice award: corporate tax compliance team - uk

WBD Accountants Limited Email: info@wbdaccountants.com Website: www.wbdaccountants.com http://www.wbdaccountants.com/ Address: WBD Accountants Limited, Marlbridge House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF

Tel: 01732 865965 Fax: 01732 860326

W

BD, Chartered Accountants work closely with our clients to meet their specific needs. We strive to understand their personal and business requirements and look to build a strong relationship with them.

Experience

Helping businesses grow and succeed since 2001, we are proud to be our client’s first choice for accounts, tax and consultancy services and work closely with our clients to meet their needs and expectations. Our core business is providing a professional, personal, high value solution to your day-to-day accounting and tax needs. We use our substantial experience not only to complete this work quickly and accurately, but we also use initiative to identify problems and opportunities.

WBD provides a bespoke service to our clients, which includes a wide range of planning services from starting a business, assisting with obtaining finance, growing your business through to eventual sale and retirement. We can help you through all stages of your business.

With a team including experienced Chartered Accountants, Chartered Certified Accountants and a Chartered Tax Advisor we are fully equipped to deal with all the routine challenges that businesses encounter and much more.

Clients: We are their “valued business partner”

Our clients describe us as “a valued business partner” and say that they are “Absolutely delighted with the service”. They also say that they “would not hesitate to recommend WBD Accountants Ltd” and that “our relationship with them is one of the most important and vital of any that we have”.

All our clients have access to our directors, Kevin Wood, Andy Branson and Paul Dickinson to ensure that they have a complete, friendly, professional service which our clients appreciate. As one client described it “Thoroughly good service with good personal touch – no problems.‎” As well as helping small and medium sized businesses grow and succeed with business and tax advice and all aspects of accountancy, WBD also provide assistance with mergers and acquisitions, personal tax compliance and planning, capital gains tax compliance and planning, inheritance tax planning, budgeting and forecasting.

Future

We aim to take all the tax and accounting compliance worries away from our clients so that they can concentrate on their businesses and enjoy more time to spend on whatever they want.

At WBD, Chartered Accountants we are constantly adapting and improving to meet our client’s need with help and support. A recent example is the change of legislation regarding auto-enrolment for workplace pensions. As soon as this was announced we realised that this would affect many of our clients and we developed a range of solutions to comply with the legislation to take away the worry and effort of compliance for our clients.

International Tax Awards 2015

best tax practice in a regional firm - uk

Lamont Pridmore Web: www.lamontpridmore.co.uk

53

L

amont Pridmore is a Top 100 national award-winning family-run firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers with three partners, 53 staff and eight offices across Cumbria and Lancashire. We can trace our roots back 120 years, with the firm being run by the same management team and partners over the last 25 years.

Our dedicated teams of tax managers work closely with our client relationship managers to ensure clients, their business and aspirations, get the best possible tax advice.

When it comes to tax planning we aim to provide a holistic approach, which deals with the impact of all taxes, however big or small throughout the life of your business.

As part of our drive for innovation we are constantly launching new tax services. We have particular expertise in acquisitions and disposals, business expansion, repairs and improvements, research and development relief and creating the right structure for your business. One of our most popular products is our ’50 Tax Saving Tips’.

We have particular expertise in advising a number of sectors including owner-managed businesses, family businesses, tourism and hospitality, landlord and property businesses and manufacturing, engineering and service industries.

Thanks to this innovative approach we have remained one of the UK’s fastest-growing accountancy firms during the last four years - a trend that looks set to continue well into the future.

Our work is based on a framework of basic values that guide us in everything we do. We pride ourselves on integrity, reliability, respect, excellence, value for money, enthusiasm, innovation and creativity.

Combining traditional values with a forward-thinking, innovative approach to the ever-changing world of tax, we focus on what the future may hold rather than being stuck in the past. For us building successful, long-term relationships with our clients is more important than a single transaction.

We always aim to add significant value to our clients’ businesses, which in 2013/14 were 3.3 times the fees we charged or £11.1m (2012/13: £9.9m).

This demonstrates real value for money and sets us apart from our competitors.

At Lamont Pridmore we are constantly looking for innovative new ways to deliver a first class service and continue to provide the latest training and skills to our staff.

Key to our success is our team, who share our commitment and enthusiasm for shaping Lamont Pridmore’s future.

www.acquisition-intl.com

54 transfer pricing firm of the year – singapore

Quantera Global Name: Douglas Fone, Managing Director Phone: +65 6818 9175 Email: d.fone@quanteraglobal.com Name: Steven Carey, Managing Director Phone: +852 9516 2830 Email: s.carey@quanteraglobal.com Website: www.quanteraglobal.com

Q

uantera Global is one of the world’s leading independent transfer pricing advisory firms, providing specialist and integrated transfer pricing services to multinationals of all sizes across the globe. We provide specialist transfer pricing consulting services in Asia, Europe and the Americas, in order to support multinationals to satisfy all aspects of their transfer pricing design, compliance and risk management requirements.

Our current global footprint consists of strategically located offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Sydney, Brisbane, Zurich, Genoa, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Cologne.

We also have a trusted global network of alliances and relationships with key international tax, customs and transfer pricing experts, to ensure that our clients receive truly integrated and best practice transfer pricing and local tax services across the globe.

Our value proposition is: •

•

•

•

We provide “Big 4” expertise and experience in the full range of transfer pricing services on a truly co-ordinated and global basis, but at value-for-money rates; We operate as one project team across borders, which speeds up the delivery process and ensures free-flow of information, resulting in consistency of technical expertise and high quality of deliverables on a global basis; We have a top quality global network of leading advisors in other disciplines and jurisdictions with the same high standards of client service and technical expertise; and We have the flexibility in our business model and the critical mass to be able to service multinationals of all sizes and in all jurisdictions.

Our specialist transfer pricing services include: Design: determine transfer pricing strategy, business context and business process analysis, functional analysis, transfer pricing design papers, benchmarking studies.

Document: local country and Masterfile documentation, transaction-based documentation, transfer pricing review of legal agreements, corporate transfer pricing guidelines, implementation support.

Defend: risk assessment and management, prudential reviews, strategic audit management, Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs), Mutual Agreement Procedures (MAPs), arbitration, mediation, expert witness testimony/opinion.

We provide the best quality advice, promptly and cost efficiently. We have a practical and hands-on approach whereby the Managing Directors of the firm are fully involved in service delivery. Clients therefore receive value for money services from highly experienced transfer pricing professionals, and we can meet the most demanding deadlines and the highest possible expectations of quality.

International Tax Awards 2015

transfer pricing specialists of the year – mexico

55

W

e are a firm specialized in Transfer Pricing, and offer services of Restructuring and Valuation, as well as Legal and Tax support. This allows us to adapt to the specific needs of your company.

CPA Xavier Isás Romero and Associates founded ISÁS in Mexico City in 1984. In 2001 CPA Alejandro Isás Morales took over the administration and moved headquarters to Queretaro, and still leads the company today. We simplified our image as «ISÁS, S.C.» in 2012. Nowadays, Isás S.C. Has offices based in: Queretaro, Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana and Cancun.

Clients ISÁS has participated in 5,200 Transfer Pricing studies for various clients from different industries including: Petroleum • Automotive • Construction • Transportation • Metallurgy • Plasticsin various industries • Negotiating Advanced Pricing Agreements (APAs) with authorities Mexican prosecutors.

Our clients include medium size enterprise both national and international, they can either manufacture products or provide services, the only requirement is that they must have related parties. We seek to generate benefits to our clients, with an analysis beyond the requirements of the authorities, and create strategies according to actual regulations, to optimize company resources.

Experience With 35 years of experience and extensive knowledge in different industries and markets around the world, we have international presence through one of the most important international networks specialized in Transfer Pricing- The Altus Alliance.

The Altus Alliance is a global alliance of senior independent advisors in transfer pricing, valuation, business restructuring and dispute resolution. It includes experienced economists, accountants, valuators, lawyers and former senior government officials.

The alliance continues to grow, and is increasing its presence in the world.

ISÁS is formed by a multidisciplinary team, with excellent technical competence and constantly incorporates the latest technology, which allows us to offer high quality services.

Name: Alejandro Isás Morales Email: aisas@isas.mx Website: www.isas.mx Address: Rufino Tamayo 2, Pueblo Nuevo, Corregidora Querétaro, México, CP 76900

Phone: +52 (442) 3093900

From the Acquisition International ́s 2014 M&A Awards eight were given to Altus Transfer Pricing Network members. ISÁS won the award for best Transfer Pricing firm of Mexico 2014.

Future The services offered by ISÁS are very important to enterprises because in the current economic climate, with the rapid development of new markets, new forms of communication and greater international mobility, businesses now operate within new global schemes. This means that much of the global economic activity is carried out through commercial transactions between related companies, and with the appropriate transfer pricing planning this can be translated into a competitive advantage, leveraging economies of scale and more profitable structures for shareholders.

We aim to create international recognition exceeding our customers expectations through total communication and continuous improvement of our services with innovation processes, taking into account the unity, cooperation and integrity of the members of the firm, through service and talent to generate satisfactory results.

www.acquisition-intl.com

56 best in cross-border restructuring – singapore

Nexia Ts Public TS Public N Accounting Corporation

exia TS was founded in 1993 by two experienced chartered accountants – Henry Tan and Sitoh Yih Pin. They saw a vision and an opportunity to establish their own accounting firm, one which is unique in its personalised and well-qualified expertise. The company’s Tax Director, Lam Fong Kiew spoke to us about where the company is today.

Headquartered in Singapore, Nexia TS has established a strong presence in various countries across the region. Nexia China is a one-stop centre providing audit and advisory services for foreign-invested enterprises in China. NTS Malaysia and NTS Myanmar provide a full suite of corporate and tax advisory services for our clientele with operations and new foreign investments in the respective countries.

Name: Lam Fong Kiew Email: lamfongkiew@nexiats.com.sg Website: www.nexiats.com.sg Phone: +65 6597 7293

The company’s global reach is facilitated by the Nexia TS International Tax Consulting Team. Through years of experience at international accounting firms, we combine a high level of technical skills across a wide range of disciplines.

We possess local as well as international tax expertise and work with a strong commercial sense to provide clients with cost effective cross-border tax planning strategies.

To achieve this, we work closely with our counterparts in Nexia Asia Pacific Tax Practice which comprises of senior tax co-leaders from various Asia Pacific tax jurisdictions. These jurisdictions include Australia, Bangladesh, China, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In addition to providing integrated, consistent and high quality international tax services to Asia Pacific-based companies investing abroad as well as multi-national corporations investing in Asia Pacific, our experienced team also provides central coordination and support for multi-national corporation clients in the region.

Nexia International is an international network of accounting and consulting firms with origins going back to 1971. This experience makes Nexia International one of the industry’s longest established network. Currently, with more than 23,000 professional staff serving our clients at over 600 offices in 100 countries, we are ranked within the top 10 largest international accounting and consulting firms worldwide.

International Tax Awards 2015

57

best in property tax - uk

Lyndhurst Accounting Email: alan@lyndhurstaccounting.co.uk Website: www.lyndhurstaccounting.co.uk www. lyndhurstaccounting.co.uk Address: 19 Lyndhurst Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3QY

Phone: 0117 962 5829 / 0771 547 6600

L

yndhurst Accounting is a rapidly-growing chartered accountancy practice based in Bristol, with much of this growth driven by the firm’s specialist property division

As a Chartered Accountancy practice, Lyndhurst Accounting has grown at a phenomenal rate over the last two years. Apart from an “open all hours” attitude and a desire to satisfy the immediate needs of our clients, much of the growth has arisen from our division specialising in property matters.

The property matters division benefits not just from the archetypal classic accountancy skills of tax compliance, specialist property tax advice and advice concerning the right corporate vehicle to shelter the property investment or trade, but also from retaining its own mortgage brokerage.

Unusual as it sounds this has enabled Lyndhurst Accounting to offer a “one stop shop” approach to property investment or development. Coupled with expert tax advice, the property division has helped many UK taxpayers negotiate the hoops and pitfalls that await the unwary investor and developer.

There has been a rapidly increasing need for more property tax specialisation in recent years. Largely based on supply and demand, house prices have risen significantly faster than salaries resulting in an inability for many to buy their first property. People, of course, still have to live somewhere and on the back of generous rental returns the buy-to-let market has taken off.

But there is much more in the market place than just buy-to-lets. Companies and limited liability partnerships have emerged to take advantage of escalating house prices and generous rental returns. Corporate vehicles have been formed to develop properties, manage “rent to rents” and many other varied property based schemes.

Lyndhurst Accounting puts forward client service as its primary motivation but we will always ensure that we are at the forefront of tax knowledge and implementation providing the right advice at the right time to all our clients.

www.acquisition-intl.com

58 best vat team - denmark

P

wC’s Tax Department in Denmark has some 200 employees and partners located in Aarhus and Copenhagen providing tax planning consultancy services to businesses, organisations and individuals based on a comprehensive knowledge of Danish tax legislation and practice.

Indirect taxes as VAT, customs and excise duties have an impact on all transactions – be the core to the business or not. A small percentage of savings realised can make a big difference to profitability. Businesses today process thousands of transactions every day and even an error rate of 1% can be material.

Most businesses are reacting accordingly and are designing and implementing indirect tax strategies with a particular emphasis on ensuring compliance and achieving efficiencies. The Danish PwC Indirect Tax team has successfully helped many businesses across industries and size formulate, implement and manage their global indirect taxes and strategy.

Incorrect treatment of VAT, customs and excise duties can have significant impact on the bottom line and severely interrupt the production and logistical process in case of flaws in the processes and compliance. We understand the issues and have much experience of advising clients on these. Well supported by strong relationships with policymakers and tax authorities, we will work with you to find the right solution for your business. Our indirect tax services focus around three main areas: strategy & risk, margin improvement and process improvement.

Name: Jan M. Huusmann, Partner & Territory Tax Leader Email: jhc@pwc.dk Website: www.pwc.dk Address: Strandvejen 44, DK-2900 Hellerup Denmark

Since the turn of the millennium, the Danish PwC Indirect Tax team has quadrupled its number of employees and the team today comprises of 45 highly qualified specialists. All of them well connected to the PwC network of more than 2,000 indirect tax experts in 130 countries, ready to work with you and your local teams.

Tax consulting with bottom line focus

PwC is one of the world’s leading professional services organisations.

Our Tax Department in Denmark has some 200 employees and partners located in Aarhus and Copenhagen. Globally, we have some 36,000 professional tax consultants in 153 countries, and we offer a global network, local expertise and individual services.

We provide tax planning consultancy services to businesses, organisations and individuals based on our comprehensive knowledge of Danish tax legislation and practice. With our extensive industry knowledge that we combine with the relevant technical and professional knowledge of our tax experts, financial advisers and legal advisers, we create good and valid solutions for our clients.

In close cooperation with you, we ensure that the tax solutions support your business strategy. Our client group includes multinational and local companies and businesses, privately owned business and partnerships, foundations and private individuals.

International Tax Awards 2015

59

best in australia for superannuation tax issues

H M Rigney Commerce Tax & Investment Law Email: taxcoach.live@gmail.com

A

ustralian legal practitioner and tax agent, Harry Rigney, provides professional guidance for trustees and trust managers, accountancy advisors to trusts and estates, providing planning support, quality assurance and board governance support for fiduciary responsibilities Harry Rigney is an Australian legal practitioner and tax agent, providing professional service for clients in all Australian jurisdictions and Asia-Pacific.

Harry holds a recognised specialist in revenue law, graduating in Law from UTAS in 1978 and attended Harvard Law School for his LL.M. in 1979 as Menzies Scholar. He served as Associate for the late Everett J. in the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 1980, and has tutored, mentored and practised in tax, trusts and estate law since.

His key services are in professional guidance for trustees and trust managers, accountancy advisors to trusts and estates, providing planning support, quality assurance and board governance support for fiduciary responsibilities.

He has been National Tax Director for PKF, senior tax manager for PWC, and author of numerous articles and other texts. He is Convenor for Commercial Law and Tax for Trusts courses offered by The Tax Institute, and was founding chair of the National Education Advisory Board of The Tax Institute. He is Tax Editor for LexisNexis in Australia.

Harry has been a registered tax agent continuously since 1982, he is a Chartered Tax Advisor and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He has made contributions to tax policy and tax law drafting through participation in industry interaction with the Australian Taxation Office.

Harry Rigney founded TaxCoach TM in Australia in 2001; the concept has been rolled out since around the globe by unrelated parties. TaxCoach TM delivers a portfolio of services for professionals and trustees: • TaxCoach ProCare: delivery of professional training programs, devised and developed by TaxCoach, aimed at building and supporting the levels of professional competency, as and when required but underpinned by regular sessions; • TaxCoach Mentor: delivery of direct access (telephone, email, in-person) for mentor support in client services; and • TaxCoach Accredit: entitlement to certified accreditation status as being professionally supported by TaxCoach

www.acquisition-intl.com

60 best tax law firm – korea

Kim & Chang Name: Woo Hyun BAIK Email: whbaik@kimchang.com Website: www.kimchang.com Address: 39, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-720, Korea Phone: +82 2 3703 1047

I

n terms of members, Kim & Chang’s Tax & Customs/Trade Department is the largest in Korea. They spoke to us about how each member boasts an unparalleled wealth of experience and expertise.

Our company has a department comprised of over 150 members. These members include internationally trained lawyers, certified public accountants, as well as tax and customs experts from various administrative and financial supervisory institutions.

All of these professionals work in collaboration with hundreds of other professionals in other practice areas to provide their clients with service of the highest quality. Each one of the members of the Tax & Customs/Trade Department are highly experienced, and have a demonstrated a high level of expertise when representing clients in tax audit defence and tax appeal cases.

Recognition of our success has been quite substantial. In 2014, we were recognised as One of the World’s Top 150 Law Firms by Who’s Who Legal 100. We were also awarded National Law Firm of the Year for Korea by the IFLR Asia Awards (2014) and ALB Korea Law Awards (2014). Furthermore, we were recognised as Top Tier in Tax by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2015), Asialaw Profiles (2015), Tax Directors Handbook (2015) as well as Chambers Asia-Pacific (2013).

International Tax Awards 2015

best for personal tax planning - uk

61 Chartered Accountants & Licensed Insolvency Practitioners

A personal friendly service for businesses and individuals Whether you are an individual or a business, coping with tax regulations can be very time consuming, complicated and highly stressful. Gibson Hewitt are Tax Specialist, and are here to help you comply with regulations and ensure you pay the right amount of tax.

Website: www.gibsonhewitt.co.uk Address: 5 Park Court, Pyrford Road, West Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 6SD Phone: 01932 336149

With the tax regime increasingly becoming more complex, and more emphasis being put on taxpayers’ individual responsibilities, everyone who is subject to taxation needs professional advice and support if they are to optimise their tax position and ensure they meet all the compliance requirements.

Personal Tax Planning

We can help with the preparation of your personal Tax Return, give advice on how to maximise your annual allowances & reliefs and all year round tax advice on Income tax | Capital gains tax | Inheritance tax | Trust & estates | Non-domiciliary tax issues | Self-assessment.

Every pound of income tax you save means more income at your disposal, every well planned disposal of assets means minimal loss of capital gains, and every inheritance tax saving means more benefit for your beneficiaries.

Corporate Tax Planning

Corporation tax represents a substantial part of your trading costs. Moreover, the increased reporting obligations, robust investigation policies on the part of the tax authorities, and harsh penalties for non-compliance mean that an undue amount of your time and resources can be taken up collecting revenue for the Government. We offer a range of services to help you minimise your corporate tax exposure and relieve you of the administrative burden of complying with tax legislation. These include: Determining the most tax effective structure for your business | Taking full advantage of tax opportunities and reliefs | Achieving the optimum capital or revenue tax treatment | Reducing tax on disposals and maximising relief on acquisitions | Making the most of tax opportunities specific to your industry | Meeting the rigorous demands of compliance including corporation tax self-assessment | Acting on your behalf in discussions with the tax authorities.

To help balance the risk of an HMRC enquiry we offer Tax investigation cover FREE OF CHARGE to all new tax clients for the first year.

Contact us today for a FREE Consultation or for more information take a look at our website www.gibsonhewitt.co.uk

www.acquisition-intl.com

62 best for business tax advisory – argentina

Ernst & Young Name: Jorge Lapenta Address: 25 de Mayo 487, C1002ABI, Buenos Aires Phone: +54 11 4318 1600 Fax: +54 11 4312 8647

A

t Ernst and Young, they are committed to building a better business environment. We spoke to Partner Jorge Lapenta about the firm’s aims of greater security, confidence, sustainable growth, as well as talent development in all its forms.

We are a company that wants to build a better business environment. We believe this can be achieved through our own actions, and in collaboration with individuals and organizations with similar ideas. This is our purpose, and the reason that we exist as an organization.

Part of building a better business environment is to ensure that we are both responsible and reliable. Trading in our organization carries a strong sense of responsibility, and we serve different stakeholders who rely on us for quality and excellence in everything we do.

Another aspect of our responsibility is that we leverage our global reach and convening power to initiate a debate on the challenges economies and capital markets face.

We strongly believe that if companies work better, the world works better too.

It is our values that define who we are, and they form the core beliefs of our global organization. Moreover, they are what guide our actions and our behaviour. They influence the way we work with others, the way we provide services to our customers, and the way we are committed to our communities.

As such a large organisation, our values give us confidence that we are using the same principles to help us make these decisions throughout the organisation globally.

Every day each of us makes choices and make decisions that will impact the way we perceive each other, and in which our customers and larger communities perceive us. It is these values that ensure that we are equally performing across all our sectors worldwide.

Additionally, every year we celebrate the way we live our values through recognition Values Chairman’s Award. Through this, we give our people the opportunity to recognize their colleagues who achieve these values apply daily. This is an important way in which we build our shared culture, founded on our strong commitment to values.

International Tax Awards 2015

best for insurance premium tax compliance solutions – uk

FiscalReps Website: www.fiscalreps.com Address: 200 Fowler Avenue, Farnborough Business Park Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7JP, UK

Phone: +44 (0)20 7036 8070

63

F

iscalReps offers global Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) compliance solutions to the insurance industry. We spoke to them about how the firm consistently reduces risk in the current global environment.

Our company is a resilient and financially secure independent business providing a niche Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) compliance service. With over 300 clients for more than 11 years, we have a wealth of experience in reducing risk. We achieve this through a combination of business stability, unparalleled subject matter expertise and operational strength. These services ensure that the professional integrity of your business is never risked, especially in the current global environment when the tax affairs of corporates are under unprecedented levels of scrutiny from tax authorities and the media.

For evidence of our reliability, you don’t have to go further back than last year. In 2014, FiscalReps submitted over 15,000 IPT returns across the EU-EEA region – all filed on time, with a total tax value of EUR204.6m across all of its clients.

We believe our unique selling points are: • Unlike all other providers, we offer a guaranteed single point of contact for IPT compliance in all territories across the EU-EEA delivered from a single office.

www.acquisition-intl.com

•

We have a designated FiscalReps team based in the UK consisting of a Client Director, Senior Manager, Manager, Technician and Administrator will deal with all your IPT matters, liaising with tax authorities directly, on your behalf.

•

12 European languages are spoken fluently within the office.

•

We have a unique standardised IPT process with up to six levels of internal review for every client IPT return prepared and submitted.

•

FiscalReps’ unique IPT software, taxBOX® is used to validate clients’ data at a high level and prepare all the necessary IPT returns in accordance with local IPT legislation.

•

We provide IPT rate tables based on FiscalReps taxSURE™ methodology, incorporating regular consultation with local tax authorities, regulatory authorities and trade bodies.

•

We take a risk averse approach to IPT compliance focused on the correct application of the law and a deliberately non-aggressive stance with the tax authorities.

•

We provide online secure audit trail of tax returns and reconciliations of client monies using myFiscalReps™

64 international tax adviser of the year - cyprus

Oxford Tax Solutions Address: Limassol Head Office, Agias Fylaxeos & 2 Zenonos Rossidi P.O. Box 59655, 4011 Limassol, Cyprus

Phone: +357 25823330 Email: solutions@oxfordcy.com Website: www.oxfordglobalservices.com

O

xford Tax Solutions comprises a global network of associates in the fields of taxation, law, accounting, banking, trusts, investments and general business consulting

At Oxford Tax Solutions we make to our clients a simple promise: Top quality services combined with prompt and personal attention to clients’ needs.

The Oxford Tax Solutions team draws together many years of practical experience in the area of International Tax Planning and offshore business. This ensures the highest standard of quality in services and professionalism.

The head of this dynamic, multilingual team is Mr Athos Fouttis, an International Tax Consultant, author of articles in international publications and regular speaker at international tax and offshore seminars.

Our head office is located at the main business district of Limassol, Cyprus, and we also have offices in the UK, Dubai, Romania, British Virgin Islands, the Seychelles and Greece.

We have a global network of associates in the fields of taxation, law, accounting, banking, trusts, investments and general business consulting.

During recent decades the world has experienced tremendous technological changes in the fields of communication and transport. The world has become smaller. Businesspeople can easily carry out activities beyond the boundaries of their own country.

In doing so, many issues have to be assessed. One of those issues is taxation. Diligent tax planning across the year can assist you minimise your tax liabilities, as well as assisting you achieve your financial targets. By implementing and developing efficient strategies to minimise or shift current and future tax liabilities, you can enhance your prospects of achieving long- and short-term objectives.

Our group motto, “Prompt, professional and personal service… It’s a promise”, reflects our irrevocable undertaking to our valuable clients and associates that respects the highest standards of responsibility. It is the driving force behind the excellence presented by our team and demonstrates our commitment to stability and our loyalty towards our clients and associates.

Our International Tax Services International business implies unique and complex challenges from a tax perspective.

Our International Tax Planning specialists can provide consultancy and implementation of tax effective structures which will enable corporations and individuals to operate effectively in the global economy market.

Utilising the International “Agreements for the Avoidance of Double Taxation” (Double Tax Treaties) the European Directives and other legislations (such as local legislation of different jurisdictions) we can structure the most tax effective operations.

Our team of professionals can provide tax consultation on international tax issues and select the most effective vehicle(s) for our clients in order to achieve tax minimisation.

By identifying the relevant local law considerations we can assist in structuring cross border investments and acquisitions, establish holding corporate structures, repatriation and exit planning.

International Tax Awards 2015

tax law firm of the year – barbados

Meridian Law Name: Dawn A. Williams, LL.B., M.B.A. Principal Email: daw@meridianlawbb.com Web: www.meridianlawbb.com Address: Ashton House, Strathclyde, St. Michael BB 11077 Barbados West Indies

Phone: + (246) 431-6677

65

M

eridian Law is a commercial law firm in the Caribbean. Meridian Principal Dawn A Williams spoke to us about how the firm provides a practical, forward thinking, and strategic approach when dealing with clients’ concerns.

Based in Barbados, we have a global reach through legal networks. The firm’s focus areas of practice are primarily corporate, commercial and international finance and tax law. We provide legal services to private clients and both local and international corporate clients in all sectors.

Although we are situated in the Caribbean, the firm has developed substantial experience internationally. Representing Meridian Law, I am a member of the International Tax Planning Association (ITPA), a speaker at Euromoney/ Latin Finance and local and regional conferences, as well as a contributor in international publications.

Our services include advising on structuring, company and entity formations. These facilities are mainly provided for international business, employee issues, tax both internationally and locally, immigration, trusts, special purpose vehicles, intellectual property, real estate transactions, debt and equity financing, restructurings, as well as cross border and securities transactions. All of these services involve our lawyers working together in cross-disciplinary groups.

With these set of skills, we also provide consulting services to companies in various industries looking to do business or doing business in Barbados and in the Caribbean. We assist in various stages of their development, whether it be at concept, cost-benefit analysis, or post start-up stage. To ensure the success of our clients’ business we provide practical, forward-thinking and a strategic approach to the law when faced with their issues and concerns. Our network both local and regional allows us to facilitate and find solutions for our clients’ problems.

It is this wide range of services that accommodates for our diverse set of clients.

Our clients include UHNWIs, European trust companies, foundations, family offices, banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, Hotels and Hotel development groups, regional and international banks, security exchanges and commissions and governments.

Among the many sectors our clients are involved in, the hotel and leisure sector is where we are significantly influential. Our M&A Department has been counsel in some of the largest acquisitions in the Banking sector and largest acquisitions in the Hotel & Leisure sector for the last three years in Barbados.

Another aspect of our business we are excelling in is our expanded litigation department. This department deals with multi-jurisdiction commercial litigation with over USD 1B at issue under areas such as jurisdiction, forum and governing law, complex derivatives securities litigation as well as global asset recovery cases.

Additionally, the firm’s corporate department also provides secretarial and administrative services to multinational, international and local and regional companies.

www.acquisition-intl.com

66 best for corporate tax – portugal

L

ugna is a company comprised of highly skilled and recognized advisors and lawyers. They spoke to us about how technical expertise must go hand and hand with good business judgment.

We are a company comprised of professionals who have previously worked in the Big Four consultancy firms and are members of the Academia.

Having such experienced professionals means we can meet the requirements of the complex industry we work in. Advisory is a complex and difficult business, which requires expertise in the fine points of law, finance, accounting and management. When working in this field, technical expertise must go hand and hand with good business judgment.

For this reason, Lugna’s team is comprised by specialists that hold degrees in both Law and Management, are technologically up-to-date as well as fluent in a wide variety of languages.

Email: lisbon@lugna.pt Website: www.lugna.pt Main Offices: Lisbon Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca nº 9 – 3º B,

As a young firm, Lugna relies on an uncanny multidisciplinary and a bespoke approach to each project. The company has a proven record of accomplishment of outstanding results. This allows the firm to provide up to the minute, complete and practical guidance to private individuals, companies and governmental agencies.

We have a reputation as a solid advisory for special projects translated into several international awards.

This reputation has made the firm sought after for guidance on corporate restructuring, business model optimization and private client advisory by clients and other consultants and law firms.

We are the go-to partner for deal teams at the outset of transactions and for high net worth individuals.

1250-189 Lisbon, Portugal

We also conduct cross border transactions with Portuguese speaking jurisdictions through our offices in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Timor-Leste (East-Timor) and Macao.

São Paulo

When doing this, we devise innovative structures for the conventional drive to maximize returns through tax saving while minimizing operational costs and coordinating operational needs and tax optimization.

Ed. Secullum Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3144 / 3º Andar Itaim Bibi – CEP 01451-000

Phone: +351 21 131 04 08

As a firm we provide a complete set of services to a wide variety of clients across a range of industries, such as: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Corporate Tax planning and compliance; Transfer pricing and business model optimization; Structuring for holding and financing structures; Incorporation of all collective investment vehicles; M&A tax advisory; Due diligence; Indirect tax advice and planning; Compliance for high level expatriates; Remuneration planning and employee share and option schemes; Estate planning; Asset protection; Family Office advisory; Investment visas; Assistance with tax controversies; Prudential reviews; Second opinions.

International Tax Awards 2015

2015 tax awards – best for self assessment compliance - uk

Maple Accountancy Name: Mr Steve Baker or Mr Robert Burns (below) Email: Success@maple.uk.com Website: www.Maple.UK.com Address: 83 Friar Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 1FL Phone: 01332 207 336

67

M

aple is a multi-disciplined team with a wealth of experience in helping owner-managed businesses as they grow and develop. We spoke to their Management Accountant and CIMA Member in Practice, Robert Burns about how when it comes to self-assessment tax, it’s personal.

Our team members’ different strengths range from professionals in taxation, accounts preparation, payroll, and management accounting. We work to ensure all Maple clients get a three dimensional view of their business and the key to achieving this is to have a relationship with our clients so that we know them in person as well as we know their business.

Maple are providing the range and quality of service that is usually reserved for larger firms. Our aim is to be the best accountants for small business. We have concentrated on minimising our clients tax burden and feel we have succeeded by innovating and caring for each client. With our continued innovation and growth we have seen client retention unparalleled in our industry. We have attracted clients, mainly by recommendation, with a high proportion of repeat business.

The tax industry has continued to be a place of uncertainty. HMRC have further reinforced their intention of pursuing tax payers who indulge in tax avoidance. Maple believes there are still tax saving opportunities, but clients now need to ensure they are not seen as aggressively avoiding tax.

Among Maple Accountancy‘s client referrals are the following: Kim Morgan, managing director at Barefoot Coaching: “Barefoot Coaching chose to work with Maple some years ago as we had heard such great things about them. We haven’t looked back since we made that decision.

Maple delivers on all the following: • Prompt and efficient service • Expertise in all tax and finance matters • Ability to communicate complex financial matters in plain English • Provision of accounting/bookkeeping staff • A true partnership approach to working; it really feels as though maple is our FD • Challenge and support to grow the business • A coaching/mentoring approach with clients • Passion, expertise and attention to detail at all times “They continue to surpass our expectations and play a significant part in the growth and success of our business.”

Rebecca Cadman-Jones, managing director of KC Jones Conference & Events: “Maple has looked after my business for the last 10 years. They offer a great service and answer my queries efficiently and effectively within a short time frame.

They have assisted me with understanding the complexities of corporation tax, NI and VAT for my business and my personal liabilities. For accountants they are all very human; this makes a refreshing change and a pleasure to do business with them!”

www.acquisition-intl.com

best in corporate tax matters – greece

Koutalidis Law Firm Name: Anny Zouboulaki Email: info@koutalidis.gr Website: www.koutalidis.gr http://www.koutalidis.gr/ Address: 4, Valaoritou Str, Athens, 106 71, Greece.

Phone: +30 210 36 07811 Fax: +30 210 36 00069

K

outalidis Law Firm is regarded as one of the most prestigious top tier law firms in Greece. We spoke to Anny Zouboulaki, Lawyer at Koutalidis, who spoke about how the firm’s in-depth understanding of clients´ businesses enables them to deliver the quality of advice and service they expect.

Our company has advised on most of the high profile and ground-breaking transactions in Greece, and are privileged with an excellent and varied client list that includes leading Greek and foreign corporations, major investment and commercial banks as well as financial institutions.

Moreover, our work and commitment to providing excellent service and finding innovative solutions covering a variety of law and business sectors has been recognised by our clients and independent commentators.

The firm was established in Kalamata in 1930 and subsequently moved to Athens in 1960. As of the 15th of January 2001, the firm complies with the provisions of the law on lawyers’ firms. Our firm, which is a leader in the Greek market, consists of 28 Partners and Associates, all of whom have outstanding national and international academic credentials and are members of either the Athens or the Piraeus Bar Association.

Through its team of highly specialized and experienced legal experts, our firm aims to assist clients in identifying the key issues in any transaction or project and in providing the clients with practical and realistic solutions, while combining reliability with prompt responsiveness. In particular, the firm provides reliable legal advice on all practices, including inter alia: major public works-concessions, mergers and acquisitions, real estate development, banking and finance, privatizations, labour and pension funds law, securities, corporate and commercial counselling, energy law, contracts and negotiations, administrative law, environmental law, IT and telecommunications, intellectual property, litigation and arbitration, tax, competition law, aviation and data protection.

68

International Tax Awards 2015

best in property tax - australia

SMATS Group Name: Steven Campbell Douglas Email: aus@smats.net Address: Suite 8, 166 Brighton Road, Scarborough WA 6019, Australia Phone: +61 (8) 9205 6868 Fax: +61 (8) 9245 2663

69

S

ince 1995, SMATS has been helping people all around the world in maximizing their after-tax returns and reducing their borrowing costs on Australian Property Investment. We spoke to Steven Campbell Douglas, who is their Co-founder, Managing Director of their Australasian Taxation Services (1995), as well as Chairman of SMATS Services Pte Ltd. SMATS Group began operations in 1995 as the vehicle for Specialist Mortgage and Australasian Taxation Services Pty Ltd to formally attend to their clients living out of Australia. The incorporation of our main corporate body, SMATS Services Pte Ltd, coincided with the opening of our first office in Singapore at Goldhill Plaza, which we soon outgrew and relocated to The Concourse in 2002. Further expansion saw us relocate to the current office at Midlink Plaza in 2010, which is the company’s Global Headquarters.

Over the years we have continued to expand, primarily through the valued referrals of our client base, and now have a truly international presence with formal offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Dubai and New York. This network of offices is unmatched by any other and ensures we maintain the highest standard of service to our clients.

We have a dedicated team of appropriately qualified and trained professionals ensure all client needs are promptly attended to wherever they are. Our business model remains largely unchanged from inception, with a sincere caring and professional service at the cornerstone of our success.

Our business forms around our core professional services being: • Specialist Mortgage: This provides Australian property finance to assist anyone seeking lending support when acquiring property in Australia.

• Australasian Taxation Services: This attends to the Annual Australian Taxation Compliance issues and Tax Planning requirements for Australian landlords with special expertise with intended migrants to Australia and Australian expatriates.

• SMATS Migration: A service assisting in migrants moving to Australia.

• AussieProperty.com- Launched in August 2005, this is a specialised information portal for offshore based Australian property investors that has become the leading site of its kind, with over 8,000 members.

• SMATS FX: This service allows our many clients and associates to transfer funds between countries at extremely favourable exchange rates as we pass on the benefit of our online service and low overheads to allow the best available exchange margin.

SMATS Group continues to expand through the support of our clients and efforts of our staff. We diligently work to improve our services through technology, whilst always ensuring a personal touch is maintained.

www.acquisition-intl.com

70 best in tax and financial policy – germany

Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI) Name: Berthold Welling Email: info@bdi.eu Website: www.bdi.eu Address: Breite Straße 29, 10178 Berlin Phone: 030 2028-0

T

he BDI (Federation of German Industries) communicates the interests of German industry to political decision-makers. We spoke to the BDI tax team about how they keep Germany competitive in ever changing worldwide conditions.

The Federation of German industries is the umbrella organisation of German industry and industry-related service providers. It speaks on behalf of 36 sector associations and represents over 100,000 large, medium-sized and small enterprises with more than eight million employees. The BDI ensures that industry speaks with one voice vis-à-vis political institutions at national, European and international level.

Social market economy model

In its work the BDI is firmly committed to a basic economic model: the social market economy founded by Ludwig Erhard. This entails advocating free enterprise, unrestricted competition and social equilibrium. For the BDI that means acting as the conscience of business vis-à-vis policy-makers.

The social market economy should be the compass for economic policy in Germany.

Strengthening Germany as an industrial nation

This involves less bureaucracy, intervention and regulation, more individual responsibility, competition and freedom. This is the only way for Germany to maintain its place among the leaders of the field in the competition between locations for innovation, growth and employment. This is why the BDI campaigns for Germany to keep pace with ever-changing worldwide conditions.

Investing in Germany

If Germany wants to continue to play in the top league, it needs investment-friendly framework conditions. Germany can and must become much better. The BDI has identified 128 fields of action conducive to investment in Germany.

International Tax Awards 2015

best in tax returns – spain

Ruiz Ballesteros Abogados Y Asesores Tributarios Name: Ruiz Ballesteros Email: jrb@jrb.es Address: C/ Jacinto Benavente, 10 1º 2ª, Marbella 29601 Phone: (+34) 952 779 874 Fax: (+34) 952 766 205

www.acquisition-intl.com

71

Q

uality, excellence and ethics are the hallmarks of our services at Ruiz Ballesteros. We offer optimal solutions for your special needs and circumstances without losing sight of our professional ethics, the true foundation of our clients’ trust.

Our policy of business consultancy is people-based. We come to know our clients’ companies as well as they do. We study the possibilities for expansion and always offer solutions. That’s the reason our clients trust us so much, and it is the key to their growth.

At Ruiz Ballesteros we do not content ourselves with routine statements. We take care that each of our clients’ businesses grow in size and profitability.

Our professional recognition depends on it. We make a study of each client’s needs, propose solutions and assist them in the development of business plans that adapt to their company and sector. Their business will gain in soundness and solvency, the two keystones of sustained development.

At Ruiz Ballesteros we are convinced that the only way to meet our clients’ needs and to offer them optimal solutions is to provide comprehensive services that are cross-cutting and coordinated. Our team is made up professionals who are able to cover each client’s fiscal, legal, accounting, labour, financial and preventive needs.

Besides facing problems as they arise, a profitable and effective company needs to be aware of the importance of preventive consulting services.

At Ruiz Ballesteros, we foresee and study the possible consequences of our clients’ operations and preventive guidance for their daily affairs. We also assist them in the development of strategic plans and in carrying them out.