Tax

Overview

The international tax landscape is changing at a faster pace than ever before, which is why it's essential to seek help from seasoned tax advisers who know your industry.

By planning ahead and engaging the right team, you'll obtain efficient, tailored tax solutions that enable your business to grow and thrive.

At Gowling WLG, we communicate detailed, complex tax analysis in clear, straightforward language. Our professionals work with you to develop tax and business structures that are effective and customised to your unique needs.

For us, it's all about taking a pragmatic approach and making it easier for you to remain focused on your business.

We bring the advanced skills of experienced tax lawyers, accountants and economists to the table, and can advise you on a wide range of tax matters, including:

  • Mergers & acquisitions (M&A)
  • International transactions
  • Investment funds
  • Real estate
  • Private client services
  • Indirect tax
  • Tax dispute resolution
  • Transfer pricing

The broad coverage of Gowling WLG means you'll always have access to the right expertise from the right professionals with the right experience in your sector. We understand your tax requirements, and are on the ground with solutions to help you.

To learn more about how our tax team can assist you, please contact us.

Canada

The tax landscape is changing at a faster pace than ever before, which is why you need an innovative law firm with the expertise to keep you one step ahead.

Featured Insights

View of parliament hill from the Ottawa river Articles
Federal budget 2022: Declining deficits and measured tax changes

Federal Budget 2022 is a budget of optimism after two years of recession, pandemic, and now geopolitical instability. It speaks of the recovery of all jobs lost during the recession, the rebound of real GDP in Canada to a level higher than before the pandemic, and a booming economy.

With over 30 tax professionals in offices across Canada, Gowling WLG's Tax Group is recognized by Chambers Global and the International Tax Review as a leading law firm in the areas of tax, transfer pricing, tax planning and indirect tax.

Our extensive experience advising clients - from small entrepreneurs and mid-sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies - means we have the right background to meet your unique tax needs. We counsel both Canadian and international clients, and have an in-depth understanding of a wide range of industries, including apparel, banking, energy, finance and leasing, insurance, manufacturing, payments, real estate, traditional and Internet retail, telecommunications and transportation.

We implement Canadian in-bound investments for multinational corporations, tax-exempt entities, foreign sovereign entities, and high net worth individuals, and tailor outbound tax structures for Canadian entities doing business abroad. Our tax professionals can work with you to provide specialized advice to meet all of your tax requirements, from corporate reorganizations, executive compensation and international trade to private client services, tax dispute resolution and transfer pricing.

Our tax group includes lawyers, accountants, economists and former senior officers of the Canada Revenue Agency. We have the resources and first-hand experience to anticipate the problems you may face - and offer creative, practical solutions that deliver effective tax results for your business.

Automated tax advice

Are you a foreign business that plans to render services in Canada? If so, the income you receive for these services may be subject to withholding (known as Regulation 105 withholding), even if you might not ultimately have any tax payable in Canada. You may also be required to fulfill other tax-related obligations.

We invite you to use our automated Tax Adviser service - at no cost - to determine the extent of your obligations and any available Regulation 105 waivers.

Access Tax Adviser now

To learn more about how we can assist you with your tax issue, please contact any member of our tax team.

France

You face a complex challenge. You want to optimize the tax planning of your investments and divestures in an environment which is constantly changing due to local, EU and OECD standards. You need to ensure a structure which is consistent and seen as appropriate by all relevant tax authorities.

Gowling WLG can help. We can minimize the exposure you face when it comes to tax audit and litigation – notably on international, intragroup and flows – from a transfer pricing, profit allocation and withholding tax perspective.

Our team has significant experience in establishing policies and documentation for transfer pricing and cross-border tax structures, as well as implementing French stock option plans and other employee share-based incentives.

The team can assist on:

  • M&A and internal restructuring tax support
  • Tax audit and disputes representation
  • Tax planning of in and outbound investments for corporations
  • Tax planning on relocations and expatriations for individuals (HNW individuals or managers of multinational enterprises)
  • Transfer pricing documentation

Our constant monitoring of tax changes and the legal environment means that we can offer you clear, comprehensive, pragmatic and personalised advice and innovative solutions.

You can also benefit from our deep experience in R&D-intensive and IP-rich industries, from life sciences to technology companies. We use the expertise of our specialist tax colleagues in Europe and Canada to provide integrated, cross-border tax advice.

Learn more

Face up to your tax challenge. Our team is ready to take the issues on our shoulders and maximise your profits.

UK

When it comes to tax, you want to be sure you're getting it right first time. And, of course, you want to pay less tax while maintaining a robust compliance reputation.

Our team is on hand to help, with comprehensive and clear advice on what is often a challenging and complex area of law.

Combining the skills of lawyers and chartered tax advisers, the eight-strong team advises on the full range of tax issues including corporate, real estate, dispute resolution, funds, individuals and trustees, private capital, employment. Clients can also count on our specialist tax teams in Paris and Monaco.

So, no matter how complex or international your tax situation, choosing Gowling WLG gives you access to a team that is:

  • Technically excellent - clients describe team members as "highly professional", "a quick, no-nonsense lawyer" and "very good technically". Ranked as a stand-alone tier one practice in Legal 500 in the West Midlands, it is known for being "practical and commercial" and able to "quickly understand issues".
  • Proactive - by planning ahead, the team can ensure the efficient, practical and tailored application of tax legislation to your situation. This pragmatic approach is highlighted by Legal 500's description of partner Lee Nuttall's ability to handle "detailed and complex tax analysis in a client-friendly way".
  • Immersed in your chosen sector - the size of the team means you can call upon the right expert, including industry sector, who will be on the ground with you in any deal or situation.

Corporate and private clients alike turn to our team to solve their most pressing challenges. These include Development Securities plc, J Sainsbury plc, The Crown Estate, Cape plc, LaSalle Investment Managers, Circle Health plc, Whitbread plc, Sanctuary Housing, St Modwen Properties plc, Intu Properties plc, Threadneedle, Royal London and various international multi-million and billionaires.

Complex sale and leaseback

The team advised Peugeot Motor Company and Citroen UK on a £30 million complex sale and leaseback of a nine-property portfolio of showrooms including advice on TOGC treatment and SDLT reliefs.

UK's first-ever social impact venture capital trust

The team advised not-for-profit Social Finance on the launch of the UK's first-ever social impact venture capital trust. Set up to raise up to £20 million for onward investment in social enterprises, the fund is a joint initiative between Social Finance and the FSE Group. It is the first investment vehicle to allow retail investors to invest in businesses that put social impact at the heart of their objectives.

Student Accommodation Fund

Advised Coral Student Accommodation Fund on its joint venture with student accommodation provider Victoria Hall for the development of a new student accommodation scheme involving land swaps and the establishment of an offshore fund.

Innovative tax structures

The firm recently implemented a series of innovative structures on behalf of Middle Eastern, Bahamian, South East Asian and Latin American clients.

'Patent Box' tax relief

The UK's 'Patent Box' regime offers companies an attractive lower rate of UK corporation tax on worldwide profits earned from their patents and other qualifying IP rights. The effective rate of tax will gradually be reduced and, by 1 April 2017, will be as low as 10%. You can benefit from the Patent Box if your company is liable to UK corporation tax and makes a profit from exploiting patented inventions. Our intellectual property and tax experts can assist you and your patent attorneys in making the most of the Patent Box. Please contact Dr Luke Kemptonto find out more.