Brazil

Firm overview

Machado Associados - Brazil

Machado Associados’ tax practice has long been one of the most reputable in Brazil. The firm is proud to have a solid and impressive client list, mainly in the automobile, cosmetics, education, energy, infrastructure, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors.

The partners and associates at Machado Associados have an in-depth knowledge of the complex Brazilian tax laws and the business of the clients, which allows the firm to offer efficient, strategic, and high-quality services.

Machado Associados has around fifty professionals in the tax department divided in five sub-areas: (a) direct taxes/transfer pricing; (b) indirect taxes; (c) tax litigation; (d) labour taxes; and (e) international taxation.

The headquarters are in São Paulo and there are offices in Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro.

Several of Machado Associados’ partners have a strong background in accounting, economics and business administration, which gives the firm an advantage in relation to both traditional law firms and accounting/consulting firms, making it regular for foreign law firms to consult with Machado Associados about tax matters in Brazil.

Machado Associados’ consulting practice continuously seeks to provide a unique and comprehensive approach to each case, combining an extensive experience and understanding of the Brazilian tax scenario with the careful analysis of the factual context and the goals of the clients, to deliver objective and accurate solutions to add value to their businesses.

The firm successfully advises the clients on disputes regarding tax matters, at both the administrative and judicial levels. Machado Associados´ lawyers take all measures against tax assessment notices and prepare and follow-up lawsuits to challenge tax collections or obtain the refund of taxes unduly paid. The team develops innovative legal arguments, capable of reflecting the most appropriate application of the tax rules to the clients’ businesses.

International Alliances

WTS Global: Machado Associados is the member firm in Brazil of this respected international network, which is strongly focused on the tax area and recognized as one of the worldwide leaders in the sector. WTS Global is headquartered in Germany and is present in over 100 countries. For more information check: WTS Global

Latin American Tax and Legal Network – LATAXNET: Machado Associados has founded LATAXNET in 2002. The network relies on 17 top tier law firms that cover the Latin America. Lataxnet allows Machado Associados, as an important differential, the possibility of executing projects simultaneously, quickly, and efficiently, throughout the whole region. For more information check: LATAXNET

Firm overview

Bocater, Camargo, Costa e Silva, Rodrigues Advogados was founded in 1999. In addition to solid work experience in corporate law, capital markets and pension fund regulation, the firm also provides services in other business law practices, such as tax, banking, civil, labour, real estate, corporate governance, insurance, administrative (public affairs).  Bocater Advogados brings together lawyers with strong academic backgrounds and expertise in their respective areas, forming teams that are able to provide legal advice and assistance that meets their clients’ expectations, in both consulting and litigation. Bocater Advogados fundamental commitment is to provide clients with services of high technical quality, following ethical and professional standards, and offering practical and objective solutions to clients’ issues. Over the years, the firm and many of its professionals have been recognized among Brazilian leading lawyers in their practice areas by national and international publications.

Firm overview

Ernesto Borges Advogados, founded in 1951, is the largest office in the Midwest and one of the most reputable in Brazil. The experience gained in seven decades of continuous assessment, combined with excellence in the provision of legal services, led Ernesto Borges Advogados to be one of the most respected law firms in the country.

Characterized by its solid growth, continuous improvement and focus on innovation, respecting ethics and integrity, the firm keeps the values rooted by its founder alive, building lasting relationships with its clients.

Firm overview

VRBF’s Tax practice is divided into two areas: (i) tax consulting (direct and indirect taxation advisory and cross-border transactions matters); and (ii) tax litigation on administrative and judicial courts regarding all tax matters (direct and indirect taxes). Customs is also practiced by the tax teams.

The teams have a deep knowledge about the tax rules in force and the Case-Law and some of the advisors have intense academic activities, what is reflected in the very sophisticated work they develop concerning complex issues.  

VRBF tax team has another very important and refined skill which refers to working with free-trade zones and the Special Economic Zone called Zona Franca de Manaus, where one of the offices are located. Tax incentives are a core topic of VRBF’s tax practice.

Firm overview

Finocchio & Ustra Sociedade de Advogados started with the dream to fill a gap in the State of São Paulo's countryside’s market and build a full-service office that could compete with the most admired offices in Brazil.

Focused on developing effective and reliable legal solutions, highly qualified professionals, and working closely with clients, we gained market share and currently have in our client portfolio national and international companies of all sizes, and from all business segments.

We have made investments in corporate governance and in our management model; such as our participation in the Partners for Excellence Program (PAEX) of Fundação Dom Cabral, which is one of the best business schools in the world.

With our future and the sustainability of the firm in mind, in 2019 we launched our innovation platform: Future in Us (https://www.futurein.us/en/), as we believe in the rapid and disruptive evolution of law. We also believe that the best way to get to know us is by understanding our ideology. Thus, we make every possible effort and initiative to daily incorporate it into our culture.

Our vision

To be a benchmark firm, sustainable and timeless, in an ever-changing corporate environment.

Our mission

To understand and improve our clients' businesses, delivering results through strategic, innovative, reliable, and effective solutions.

Our purpose

To fulfill our mission in an ethical and synergetic environment, developing people with respect and transparency.

Our values

We believe in and are guided by our values:

• We are committed to excellence and result delivering
• We act ethically with integrity and transparency
• We value our clients and work to exceed expectations
• We value promptness and responsiveness
• We are assertive through clarity
• We are passionate about what we do
• We cherish team spirit, an easy-going, and inspiring work environment
• Our team is our greatest asset

Firm overview

Mannrich e Vasconcelos' highly specialized partners, associates and consultants apply their legal skills to add value to and improve clients' businesses, in order to make the practice of law an instrument for sustainable economic development.

Our team assists clients in an efficient and customized manner, in search for strictly technical, safe and innovative solutions.

The tax team:

• represents clients in administrative and judicial proceedings with a creative approach, considering case law and the cost-benefit ratio to the client,
• provides legal assistance in litigation and consulting regarding Social Security Law, as structuring and review of compensation plans and benefits,
• advises clients in tax planning and application for special tax regimes and tax benefits, (iv) takes part in leading cases in higher courts,
• reviews tax procedures and ancillary obligations to identify unused credits,
• drafts inquiries to tax authorities in specific cases of uncertainty as to the interpretation of a given tax rule and
• renders legal assistance in obtaining certificates of good standing and answering tax audits in an efficient and timely manner.