Baker McKenzie
The
tax
team’s
provision
of
tailored
tax
services
covers
clients active in various
industries and
sectors
such as retail, energy, tech,
IT and manufacturing
on complex domestic and cross-border transactions. The practice has six specialised tax areas: controversy, TP, compliance and due diligence, indirect tax, corporate and transactional tax and HNWI advisory. Tax partner
Virusha Subban heads the tax practice.
At the end of 2022, the tax represented internet service firm Equinix on all tax matters regarding its
€160 million data centre turnkey development and
long-term lease transaction in Johannesburg.
Bowmans
The international law firm has one of the leading tax practices in South Africa and continues to
enlarge
its presence
across the continent with new offices in Mauritius,
Ethiopia and Zambia. The tax practice advises on
tax controversy,
compliance
and non-contentious
matters with in-depth experience
in dispute
resolution, corporate
tax and international tax.
Barry
Garven
and
Wally Horak
lead the tax practice
comprising 24 practitioners.
Deloitte
The Big Four firm has one of the largest tax practices in South Africa, which offers full tax services on
compliance, legal and
general tax
advisory
matters.
The experienced team
is
led by firm directors
each
specialising in various tax domains;
firm partner Anthea Scholtz is one of the
tax figures.
In addition, managing director
Itireleng Kubeka joined to the team in April 2022 from Absa Group.
In the firm’s
recent case studies presented
describes
the
indirect
tax team is
representing
clients in the energy and excise industry on suggested
tax
amendments
to indirect tax and excise legislations for the
fuel
bunkering
industry
and
cross-border transportation of alcoholic beverages.
ENSafrica
The full-service law firm has
one of the largest
tax practices and has established itself as finding innovative solutions in complex and large capital transactions. The team of 45 multi-disciplinary lawyers is experienced in taking on complex domestic/international tax cases. Some of the team’s
expertise is in financial structuring, indirect taxes, corporate transactions, and dispute resolution.
Tax executive
Mmangaliso Nzimande is a key figure alongside four directors leading the tax practice.
During the research period, the tax team assisted The Foschini Group in its 100% acquisition of target firm Tapestry Home Brands Proprietary Limited and its subsidiaries. The task entailed carrying out the tax due diligence and tax-efficient structuring of the deal.
Client feedback
''ENS has an excellent pool of tax advisors and lawyers with an exceptional understanding of South African tax legislation.''
''Detailed understanding of the topic at hand. Strong ability to simplify complex concepts. Explains the available options with good recommendations on how to proceed.''
''Well versed in the tax law and provided quick turn around.''
EY
With one of the largest
tax
departments
in South Africa,
the Big Four firm’s tax practice
consists
of accounting technology attorneys, tax lawyers, accountants, engineers and more.
Furthermore, the firm has a wealth of experience advising large-cap companies,
domestic and multinational,
such as
Anglo American PLC, Anheuser-Busch InBev,
Discovery Ltd, First Rand Ltd, MTN Group Ltd
et c.
Tax partner
Ekow
Eghan leads the tax practice
consisting of more than seven tax partners.
Client feedback
''Pro-active, reasonably priced, quick response time, and a professional transfer pricing team (Cape Town Office).''
Mazars
The
global
accountancy firm’s South African
transfer pricing
practice has grown
in the past seven years since becoming fully operational, from a team of one practitioner to five.
The team services the Mazars clients across the continent on all transfer pricing matters. Senior
manager Charl Hall leads the practice.
Webber Wentzel
The African law firm
is highly recommended for its tax legal services, which the practice’s offerings cover general tax advisory and tax controversy support with
in-depth experience
providing innovative solutions in domestic and cross-border complex tax issues. Its client portfolio comprises large capital enterprises and medium-sized companies, private clients, non-profit organisations and more. The team has
five partners, each specialising in specific tax areas.
In mid-2022, the firm
bolstered its tax practice with two
partner
promotions
in
Carryn Alexander and Lumen Moolman.
Client feedback
''Understands the business and the flow of transactions, and provides very precise views on its implications. This is supported by the interpretation of the law.''
''They give brilliant tax advice. Having worked with our various business units over the years, they understand the business strategy and their advice takes this into consideration. Their teams are well resourced and have diversity within.''
''Broad network, knowledge, and experience in jurisdictions applicable. Practical problem-solving approach and
good project management of various aspects.''
Werksmans Attorneys
As the founding member of LEX Africa, a legal alliance of law firms across more than 25 African
jurisdictions, the
well-established
South African law firm has
three offices across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Stellenbosch, offering
full
tax legal and compliance services with
a breadth of
experience in the commercial sector.
The
tax practice
is led by
Michael
Honiball,
head of
international
tax. However, tax partner Kyle Beilings left
the team
to join Standard Bank in January 2023.
In March 2022, the firm
assisted Real Foods Holdings Proprietary Limited on the tax
aspects
regarding
developing
the
restructuring
steps that would
subsequently enable the merger of
subsidiary firms
Kauai and Nu businesses into VASAG, which
ultimately served for the takeover by the
acquirer
Virgin Active.
Client feedback
''Excellent knowledge of tax law, trust law, and handling of tax disputes.''
''Technically very strong, pragmatic in approach, and very easy to interact with.''
