‘One of the top firms in Chile for tax and private client matters’, Barros & Errázuriz’s 16-strong practice tax is widely respected for its tax structuring and implementation credentials, both at national and international levels. The practice’s coverage encompasses corporate transactions and reorganisations, transfer pricing, and tax treaty application. It also has a strong market reputation for wealth planning matters and is increasingly active in tax disputes. Co-heading the group, founding partner Fernando Barros’ practice includes the implementation of corporate and financial structures; and Carola Trucco has longstanding experience in advising major companies on tax matters, particularly as regards cross-border operations, M&A and business reorganisations. Further support is provided by ‘excellent lawyer’ Tomás Kovacevic who was raised to the partnership in March 2022 and whose experience includes some three years at the Ministerio de Hacienda; experienced tax counsel Magdalena Munita; and -at senior associate level- Maria Lucia Marraccini, a former Ministry of Finance tax policy adviser, and Mauricio Bascuñán, who focuses on tax disputes. Former senior associate Fernanda Becker left the firm in October 2022.

The 19-strong tax practice at market giant Carey houses go-to specialists for heavyweight national and international transactional structuring. The group is also sought out for high-stakes tax litigation, tax planning, and tax due diligence and has over recent years notably strengthened its transfer-pricing practice, broadening it to include financial (in addition to legal) analysis. The interdisciplinary department, comprising lawyers, certified accountants and an economist, is co-led by domestic and international taxation specialist, Jessica Power (the first woman to be elected as partner at the firm, back in 2008); Manuel José Garcés, whose practice incorporates personal and corporate tax planning, foreign investments, and tax litigation; former Ministry of Finance tax policy head, Manuel Alcalde; and managing partner and private wealth expert, Jaime Carey T. Among key associates from the firm's considerable ranks: Pedro Gutierrez assists with the taxation of business reorganisations and audit defences; Daniela Pfeffer’s experience includes acting for energy sector companies on structuring cross-border acquisitions; and Diego Hormazábal advises on tax law, and family companies and holdings.

The huge, 72-strong, team at multinational professional services firm EY Chile is ‘one of the great local reference points for tax matters’. The practice acts across the gamut of tax disciplines, its expertise covering corporate, international and transactional taxation, as well as compliance and reporting issues; and the Santiago office further leverages the firm’s extensive global network for cross-border work. Tax practice head Javiera Contreras focuses on corporate and international taxation; Pablo Greiber’s specialisms include the taxation of family businesses; and Alicia Domínguez is the lead mining and energy tax partner. The next line of active practitioners features Cristián Sepúlveda Reed, who ‘produces excellent results’; Darío Romero, who focuses on cross-border transactions, investment projects and public concession tenders; Juan Pablo Navarrete, whose career includes working as international associate at Chadbourne & Parke’s New York office; Nicolás Brancoli, who advises companies on corporate and international taxation; and Nicolás Orezzoli, ‘an excellent adviser on cross-border matters’, who was promoted to the partnership in July 2022. Associate Nicolás Grof has over 10 years’ experience in tax advisory matters.

‘With good strength in depth across the team’, Fischer y Cía’s 20-strong tax team acts for major domestic and international clients on a broad array of tax-advisory areas, such as general corporate matters, M&A, and financings. The practice also assists with transfer pricing, estate planning, and tax compliance issues, while the firm’s tax litigation team handles heavyweight disputes. The group is headed by widely-respected name partner Alex Fischer, who advises domestic and foreign clients on personal and corporate tax planning, tax litigation, M&A, and foreign investment structuring; and Carolina Collantes is a highly-rated tax litigator. The second line of experienced practitioners features international tax advisory specialist Isabel Espinoza; and tax disputes and private wealth expert Juan Cristóbal Ortega. At associate level, senior Juan Cristóbal Valenzuela is experienced in indirect taxation and tax planning work; Patricio Casas is currently undertaking his doctorate; and semi-senior Gert Greve maintains a broad, multifaceted tax practice. Associates Macarena Reyne, Francisco Vial and Javier Figueroa are also well-regarded younger practitioners.

‘Highly recommended to clients’, Recabarren & Asociados’ large, 30-strong tax practice is highly rated for its provision of tax-efficient solutions to family offices and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals. It also advises on estate planning, in addition to acting in tax matters before the local IRS, Tax Courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court. The team is jointly led by name partner Soledad Recabarren, an expert in estate planning for HNW individuals, tax policy, personal taxation, and corporate and transactional tax matters; ‘stand out’ figure, Álvaro Pérez, who focues on tax structuring, and corporate and transactional tax advisory (along with family offices and estate planning for HNW individuals); and tax disputes head Luis Felipe Ocampo. Also key to the practice's strength in depth: Mauricio López advises both domestic and foreign companies on tax issues; managing partner Ignacio Iriarte, a tax litigator; Manuel Montero, who focuses predominantly on HNW individuals and the corporate groups they control; corporate tax specialist José María Diez; Pablo Chechilnitzky, an expert in international taxation, tax structuring, corporate and transactional tax advice, and HNW individuals; and former EY Chile lawyer Damian Boada. Associates Josefina Vivar, Juan Ignacio Rivas, Paula Chacón and María Jesús Barrientos are also active team members; former partner Gloria Flores left the firm in December 2022.

With ‘a very good understanding of the tax laws’, Allende Bascuñán & Cía specialises in both local and international taxation, including outbound investment tax advice. The group is also known for acting for Chile’s wealthiest families on asset protection, tax and corporate structuring, project finance, estate law, long-term wealth management planning, and domestic and offshore investment schemes. Founding partner Francisco Javier Allende is an expert in corporate business reorganisations, M&A, corporate taxation, HNW individuals’ tax planning, and tax disputes; and Mario Donoso advises corporate and family office clients on tax issues. Both international tax department head Mauricio Carloza and tax law and disputes specialist Michael Camus D were made partners in August 2022; while at associate level, Cristóbal Munita is ‘a very collaborative professional’, and José Manuel Barros’ broad practice includes international taxation.

‘Able to handle complex technical matters’, Claro & Cia.‘s ‘excellent’ tax team is consistently mandated to advise on the tax aspects of M&A, capital markets, banking and project finance transactions. It is also increasingly involved in high-stakes tax disputes before the tax courts (particularly as a result of Chile’s recent tax reforms). ‘One of the Chilean market’s best tax advisers’, practice head Jorge Carraha has enviable experience in advising on the tax side to headline deals; and recently-promoted Nicolás Maturana assists with the tax issues surrounding M&A, financing and capital markets transactions, and corporate reorganisations. At senior associate level, Javier Pérez is particularly experienced in the tax aspects of transactions and reorganisations; however, former fellow senior Rafael Cruzat left the firm in May 2023 to establish his own practice.

Fielding both experienced senior lawyers and an in-house accountant, Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría’s ‘committed and flexible’ thirteen-strong tax practice focuses on corporate and private wealth matters, domestic and international tax planning, and tax litigation and administrative procedures before Chile’s tax authorities. The practice is co-led by Mario Silva, who assists with corporate and personal taxation, along with tax planning and corporate restructuring; finance, and energy and natural resources sector expert, Guillermo Infante; and tax disputes head Arturo Selman, who was elevated to partner during 2023 and is a former Chilean IRS lawyer. Principal associate Ariel Castillo focuses on tax advisory work, business and international taxation, tax structuring, and reorganisations.

‘Among the most recognised boutique firms in the country’, Torretti & Cía. houses a 20-strong group (of both lawyers and accountants) that advises on international taxation, foreign investment, corporate taxation, tax litigation, and private client work. The department is co-led by founding partner Eduardo Torretti, who has substantial experience in assisting foreign and domestic clients with corporate tax matters and tax planning; and Sebastián Martínez-Conde, whose wide-ranging practice covers tax contingency management, and advice to individuals and families on investments and succession planning. The second line of partners features former EY Chile manager Javiera Pérez, and tax dispute resolution leader Eric Donoso (both promoted in January 2023); while Carlos Bravo (corporate tax and tax planning) is a March 2022 partner recruit from Porzio Ríos García. At associate level, recently-promoted senior Sebastián Aguilar, along with Isidora Henríquez, Francisco Larios, and María Elena Würth. Former senior associate Francisco Alcaíno  left the firm in July 2022.

Emerging from Bofill, Mir & Álvarez Jana’s March 2022 dissolution, Bofill Mir Abogados’ ‘very decisive’ six-member tax department has significant international taxation experience. The group also regularly advises on restructurings, M&A-related tax structuring, tax disputes, and national and international planning, and is particularly noted for its tax advice to mining sector clients. Guillermo Fonseca focus on transactional matters from a tax perspective; and the practice of recently-elevated partner Jorge Valenzuela incorporates investment structuring advice for international entities. 2022 also saw senior tax associate Josefina Da-Bove re-join the firm from an in-house position in August, following the departure of former fellow senior Paris Norambuena in April. Since publication, Fonseca and Valenzuela have left to establish their own firm - effective as of February 2024.

DLA Piper Chile’s ‘very powerful team’ is particularly noted for growth areas such as e-commerce and fintech, as well as its advice to digital and technological companies. The six-member practice additionally assists with the tax and restructuring aspects arising from the expansion of start-ups. The broad practice also covers the tax structuring of M&A, venture capital and private equity transactions, as well as tax compliance, and administrative and judicial tax proceedings. The group is co-led by Rodrigo Álvarez, who maintains a broad tax practice; and Amory Heine, who is ‘creative and assertive in her advice’. Senior associate Francisco Argüello advises both national and foreign clients on their domestic and cross-border tax matters.

The Chilean arm of Deloitte (the London-headquartered, international professional-services network), Deloitte Legal Chile houses a go-to tax practice for both local and international companies. International investors and HNW individuals also mandate the group on ongoing tax issues, M&A-related tax matters and complex tax disputes. The Santiago office’s key advisers are international tax specialist Joseph Courand; taxation and company reorganisation expert Hugo Hurtado; and Paula Osorio, who routinely assists with mining-related tax work. At director level, the practice additionally features tax litigator Pablo Quezada; while senior manager for international tax, Fernanda Becker, is an October 2022 recruit from Barros & Errázuriz.

Garrigues Chile’s tax planning specialists frequently leverage the labour, corporate, banking, finance and projects expertise of the firm’s international network during complex transactions. The team is also experienced in real estate taxation, private client work, and tax disputes. Group leader Oscar Ferrari assists with the tax planning side to transactions, as well as tax litigation; while at senior associate level, María Jesús Hidalgo Larraín advises on corporate and restructuring-related tax planning, and domestic and international taxation; and Magdalena Casenave Prat (who was promoted in January 2023) focuses on advisory matters and the implementation of corporate and equity restructurings, and M&A. Former counsel Sebastián Ferrer Del Valle and senior associate Juan Pablo Obaid left in April 2022 and May 2023, respectively, since when the firm has hired Ignacio Campino - formerly at PCM Abogados - as a partner (effective June 2023).

Guerrero Olivos’ tax practice (which comprises tax accountants and auditors, in addition to lawyers) covers-border transactions, international taxation, double taxation, and the tax structuring for corporate and project finance deals, with recent mandates seeing the team particularly active on behalf of venture capital and energy companies. The group also houses tax litigation experts, who regularly act before the Chile’s IRS. Practice head Alejandro Chechilnitzky specialises in the tax aspects of local and cross-border transactions; and senior associate Alfonso Niklitschek’s practice covers domestic and international taxation, succession planning and corporate reorganisations.

MBC Abogados’ 12-strong tax practice routinely acts for individual clients, family offices, companies and foundations on high-value transactions, including cross-border matters. The group also has a strong track record in administrative proceedings before the Chilean Tax Authority. The team is co-led by former Barros & Errázuriz partner María Teresa Cremaschi, who specialises in the tax aspects of cross-border transactions, M&A and corporate restructuring; and Nicolás Alvarado, whose broad practice covers transactional work, tax audits and administrative procedures. The department also features tax law specialist Evelyn Sepúlveda, and Jazmín Gajardo, who acts in tax disputes. Former Carey lawyer María Pilar Diez and Pedro Pablo Otero, whose career includes a stint at the Prosecutor’s Office of the Ministry of National Assets, are key associates. Since publication, Sepúlveda has left the firm - effective January 2024.

The eight-strong team at Prieto Abogados fields specialists in direct, indirect, municipal and inheritance taxes, as well as international taxation and the application of double taxation conventions. The firm also routinely assists with IRS matters (including during audits); and acts in tax litigation before the High Courts of Justice, as well as the Tax and Customs Courts. The team is co-led by Mario Gorziglia, who advises domestic and foreign clients on corporate reorganisations and business structuring; and Leonidas Prieto, who ‘has very detailed knowledge of tax regulation and practice’. At counsel level, Luz María Calvo is a former adviser to the Ministry of Finance’s tax policies department, while senior associate Beatriz Bustos is an April 2022 hire from PCM Abogados.

The ‘solid and complete team’ at tax law firm Ulloa & Cía predominantly acts for family businesses and investment funds, as well as real estate, finance, engineering and retail sector companies. The sizeable 19-strong group covers corporate taxation, restructuring, tax compliance, tax disputes, and domestic and international tax advisory work. Jointly heading the group, Nicolás Ulloa advises Chilean family groups and companies on the tax side to business structuring; and fellow founding partner Adriana Zaidan (who also leads the firm’s international tax law department) advises multinationals on the structuring of their investments in Chile. From the associate ranks, seniors Pablo Bucchi, Felipe Welkner and Bernardita Vercellino all maintain noteworthy tax practices, as does Paris Norambuena, a February 2023 hire from Lembeye.

With a track record that includes handling the tax aspects of large company sales, corporate reorganisations and financing deals, Arteaga Gorziglia & Cia Abogados’ five-member practice offers tax advice and planning, tax-side defence work and the resolution of tax controversies.  The group - which is ‘well known in the market’ - is led by Andrés Ossandón, who assists with tax efficiency issues, planning and litigation, particularly in regard to the retail, real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors. At associate level, Gonzalo Guerra (an August 2022 hire from EY Chile) acts for both companies and individuals on tax matters; former senior Alejandra Ross departed the firm in March 2023.

Baker McKenzie Chile’s tax group is partcularly experienced in acting on behalf of technology, finance, pharma and mining companies; and the four-member team routinely leverages the firm’s regional and global network for cross-border tax matters. In addition to international taxation, the group assists with tax planning, industry-specific tax issues and tax disputes. The practice is led by international tax and tax planning expert Alberto Maturana; while at associate level, Cristián Bonacic ‘knows transfer pricing very well‘ and also assists with the tax aspects of banking, finance, mining, IT and manufacturing matters. Former senior Catalina Galleguillos moved to Lembeye in March 2023.

Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos’ seven-strong tax team benefits from the firm’s significant expertise in corporate law and dispute resolution, as well as its mining sector experience. It is also increasingly active in the structuring of investment plans for investment banks and family offices. Heading up the group, Javier Cerón is President of the International Fiscal Association’s local branch; he is supported by associate María Paz De Carcer, who focuses on tax structuring, local and international taxation, and defence-side tax litigation.

The six-strong tax practice at CMS Carey & Allende covers national and international tax planning, VAT, cross-border deals (including due diligence), corporate reorganisations. and double taxation agreements. The team, which also assists HNW individuals and families with tax matters, is led by Diego García, who has notable experience in tax planning and corporate restructuring. Providing key support at senior associate level, Gonzalo Serrano routinely advises HNW individuals on their tax affairs; and Matias Ramírez (who rejoined from ARH Abogados in early 2022) provides direct and indirect taxation-related tax compliance advice.

In 2022, Cuatrecasas' Santiago office recruited corporate and international taxation specialist Rodrigo Stein as practice leader from KPMG in Chile (KPMG), where he was Chile tax and legal group head. The team, which also includes former KPMG director and tax expert José Miguel Gazitua (now a senior associate), advises on Tax Administration procedures and the tax side to major transactions, as well as assisting individuals and family offices with tax optimisation and private wealth matters. The practice is particularly focused on mining, natural resources, and energy clients, but also works with investment funds, financial institutions, and start-ups and fintech businesses.

Predominantly acting for real estate and construction clients, recent mandates for Fontaine & Cía's tax team include structuring investments into Canada, the US and Europe; and advising family offices on tax issues. The practice is also active in defence-side tax work, including in relation to property tax issues and income derived from the construction of public works. Founding partner and group head Hernán Fontaine is an expert in the planning and implementation of tax structures; while associate Javier Cortés specialises in foreign investment and HNW planning.

Jara del Favero Abogados’ ‘very good team’ provides tax advice to HNW families on an ongoing basis. The group routinely assists with the restructuring of family assets and the reorganisation of corporate family structures, including the analysis of business transfer transactions and tax contingencies. The department also advises on tax compliance, in addition to defence-side work before Chile’s tax authorities and courts of law. Tax and corporate practice leader Rafael Valdivieso assists international companies looking to invest in Chile on tax issues; and at associate level, both senior Martín Hudson and Andrés de Iruarrizaga maintain active tax practices.

Assisting with both tax advisory matters and tax disputes, Larrain y Asociados Abogados‘ practice also incorporates compliance work, as well the implementation of business reorganisations; and the firm’s sector experience covers energy, gas, mining, airlines, agribusinesses and investment funds. The four-member team is led by tax planning specialist Víctor Manuel Avilés; and within the firm’s associate pool, Eduardo Irribarra is a former adviser to Chile’s IRS, while Manuel Larrain focuses on commercial, tax and customs matters.

Morales & Besa’s tax offering has evolved out of the firm’s substantial transactional practices to become a four-strong standalone department consisting solely of specialist tax lawyers. The team is experienced in tax advisory work, contentious matters, and major transactions involving complex, cross-border tax issues. The practice is led by recently-promoted partner and tax transactions expert Santiago Martínez, whose career includes working in the tax team of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton’s London office. Key senior support is provided by experienced tax counsel Gracia Curtze.

‘Well positioned to handle any issue’, tax and accounting practice Puente Sur assists with a wide range of tax-related services, such as M&A structuring, transfer pricing compliance, and VAT recovery procedures. The nine-member group also routinely represents clients’ interests before Chile’s Ministry of Finance, IRS and Treasury Service. ‘Always up to date with tax regulatory changes’, department leader Ignacio Gepp is an expert in corporate taxation, audits, transfer pricing litigation, and M&A-related VAT structuring.