The Legal 500

‘Pragmatic, professional and commercial’, Andrékó Kinstellar’s three-strong tax group advises Hungarian corporates on tax relating to transactions and restructuring and on the new transfer tax regime. It recently advised oil and gas giant MOL on taxes pertaining to its €370m domestic bond programme. Managing associate Gábor Antal led advice to Raben Group on VAT financing and other complex tax issues relating to various asset purchases.

Gide Loyrette Nouel recruited senior associate and transactional tax specialist Eszter Kamocsay-Berta from Lakatos, Köves and Partners. The team advises the firm’s corporate clients on matters including cross-border income tax, internal audits, tax structuring, and Metropolitan Court litigation.

Jalsovszky Law Firm provides ‘extremely high’ levels of service and can ‘swiftly assess complicated international tax issues’. ‘Very responsive’ corporate tax specialist Pál Jalsovszky recently secured a victory for Adidas in Supreme Court litigation against the Hungarian Tax Authority (HTA), and advised Magyar Telekom on the tax aspects of a disgorgement procedure. Other areas of competence include income tax and transaction-based tax structuring. Clients appreciate the group’s ‘internationally minded’ approach coupled with its ‘local law firm’ feel.

Gergely Riszter heads Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie’s two-partner tax group, which regularly advises large European corporates on regulations, restructuring, VAT, and income tax. Recent instructions include advising a Swiss company on Hungarian tax compliance and representing a worldwide retailer in a corporate tax dispute.

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ tax group recently advised TDF-owned Antenna Hungária on EU tax law, and assisted GLL with innovative VAT arrangements. István Keményfy leads the team, which also represents SÁGA and Cargill.

Nagy és Trócsányi’s ‘excellent’ tax disputes practice represents large European corporates and Hungarian subsidiaries of multinationals. Orsolya Kovács recently acted for Coca-Cola HBC Magyarország in VAT litigation against the HTA. KPMG Tanácsadó and EMFESZ are regular clients. Name partner Péter Nagy heads the group.

Réczicza White & Case LLP is renowned for ‘masterful levels of service’ and a tax team ‘you can always count on’. Orsolya Bárdosi recently advised Invitel Holdings on tax aspects of its acquisition (and subsequent restructuring) of Fibernet. The team also advised Tippin Corporation on the multi-jurisdictional restructuring of its property portfolio, and represented a European client in a dispute with the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Office.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s five-strong tax group provides transactional tax support to real estate and private equity firms. Recent instructions include representing Becton Dickinson in a dispute concerning a €2.3m loss carryforward.

Faludi Wolf Theiss recently advised Pannonia Ethanol on development tax allowances and won new clients BNP Paribas and American Airlines. It also represents high-net-worth individuals on innovative tax structuring. International tax specialist Balázs Békés leads the three-lawyer team.

Horváth & Partners DLA Piper’s ‘punctual and thorough’ team advises clients on matters including crisis tax, professional contribution, and transactional tax structuring. Clients include Vienna Capital Partners, IKO Group and Fibria Trading International. Levente Torma has ‘a good knowledge of international tax rules and regulations’.

Katona & Partners Attorneys at Law advises clients regarding VAT inspections, double taxation agreements and court disputes. Lead partner Géza Katona also handles taxes pertaining to asset financing.

Reti, Antall & Partners handles contentious tax matters and can leverage resources from its strategic alliance with PricewaterhouseCoopers where necessary.

Tamás Kárpáthegyi leads Szabo Kelemen & Partners Attorneys’ team, which advises the firm’s banking and finance clients on tax regulations.