Practice overview

Tax authorities continue to innovate, not only opening more inquiries but also exploring new types of data-led tax audits. As such, multinational organizations continue to spend more time and resources managing tax controversies in both their local and foreign jurisdictions, with a view to both the financial and reputational aspects of a tax dispute. Tax authorities are sharing information about companies and focusing increasingly not just on the technical merit of a tax position but also on implementation. Research suggests that the average length of a tax audit has risen in recent years.

As a result of these trends, organizations and tax authorities are increasingly taking disputes to court, and the past 12 months have seen several significant judgments across the region. Deloitte’s tax controversy teams include former tax authority officials, tax specialists, alternative dispute resolution specialists, and, in many countries, tax litigation specialists who can assist multinational businesses at all phases of the tax controversy cycle. In the EMEA region, a strong network has been created that is ready to assist multinational enterprises in navigating the various procedures and provide strategic guidance in addition to detailed legal analysis. Deloitte controversy specialists assist clients proactively across pre-dispute, dispute, and litigation matters.

Our key service offerings

  • Pre-controversy audit readiness and data examination
  • Voluntary disclosures
  • Negotiated settlements
  • Litigation, appeals, and settlement
  • Transfer pricing
  • Tax controversy software tools and support
  • Corporate defense

Awards and recognition

2025 International Tax Review (ITR) EMEA Tax Awards:

Deloitte in EMEA won 35 awards and received regional recognition across multiple priority areas, including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Firm of the Year, ESG Firm of the Year, Tax Advisory Firm of the Year, Tax Technology Firm of the Year, and Transfer Pricing Advisory Firm of the Year. Deloitte also won an individual award: Indirect Tax Advisory Rising Star.

Jurisdiction Awards, in the EMEA region, include:

  • National Tax Firm of the Year awards: Baltic States, Bulgaria, CEE, CIS States, Malta, Romania
  • National Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year awards: Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Sweden
  • National Tax Advisory awards: Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, UK
  • National Transfer Pricing Advisory awards: Austria, UK
  • National Indirect Tax Advisory awards: Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ukraine
  • National Tax Disputes Advisory awards: Germany, Greece, Hungary

2026 World Tax Leaders:

Over 340 leaders across the EMEA region were recognized for their individual abilities, as well as for their in-depth capabilities, experience, and knowledge

2026 World Tax and World Transfer Pricing tier rankings:

In the 2026 World Tax and World Transfer Pricing tier rankings, Deloitte achieved its strongest results to date, earning more Tier 1 (174) and Tier 2 (44) rankings than ever before, including Tier 1 recognition in General Corporate Tax (65) and Tax Controversy (15).

Eminent leaders

Africa Tax & Legal - Tax Controversy Leaders