Our highly experienced lawyers advise clients on VAT taxes and duties, how to structure commercial transactions in a more efficient way, and on registration and compliance issues.
An understanding of VAT and customs is essential if businesses are to avoid two key VAT pitfalls: failing to charge the correct tax and thus risking increasingly stringent penalties for noncompliance, and failing to reclaim VAT that was charged to them, and thus incurring unnecessary business costs.
Our international network includes VAT, GST and sales tax advisers in jurisdictions around the world, enabling us to provide a seamless cross-border service that takes into account the rules of different jurisdictions. We also advise on customs duties (including the procedures for importing and exporting goods), prohibitions and restrictions, available relief, classification of goods for tariff purposes, and valuation. We can help you to ensure the correct amount of customs duties is paid at the right time.
Local insight, global reach: working in 20 African countries, we understand the financial, regulatory, economic and trading issues in this region. This on-the-ground presence is backed by a global Africa team that comprises more than 200 lawyers in Johannesburg and Casablanca and extends to other key financial centers, among them London, New York, Paris, Dubai, Perth, Hong Kong and Beijing.
Closely monitoring international developments helps to ensure our clients do not inadvertently generate liabilities and are aware when issues may affect their business and how risks can be alleviated.
Most of our lawyers also have direct tax experience, enabling us to advise on the overall tax implications of any particular transaction, ensuring any VAT solution does not give rise to adverse direct tax consequences, such as creating a permanent establishment. We also have contentious lawyers able to assist with VAT disputes and negotiating settlements.
Key capabilities include:
- incidence of VAT and structuring
- cross-border activity
- VAT and real estate transactions
- European Union developments
- VAT disputes and litigation
- customs duties
- GST and sales tax
Please contact us to discuss how we can help you to achieve your objectives.