Cobalt is particularly skilled in tax matters concerning technology-sector clients, often assisting innovative companies and multinational tech giants. More generally, the tax team is active in transfer pricing, tax structuring and also auditing disputes. The practice is headed by Rokas Daugėla, an expert in international tax law. He is supported by managing associate Rasa Mikutienė, who joined from Sorainen in mid-2022.
Tax in Lithuania
Cobalt
Practice head(s):
Rokas Daugėla
Other key lawyers:
Rasa Mikutienė
Testimonials
‘They have a number of qualified lawyers who have their areas of expertise and know those areas very well. Our clients appreciate that they can receive expert consultations on the most complex matters and in many cases very specific situations. The team also has a very positive and attentive attitude and are always very quick to react.’
‘Rokas is a very experienced lawyer with in-depth understanding of complex international and local tax topics, yet he has a gift of communicating the most difficult and technical aspects in a very straightforward and easy to understand manner. He also has loads of experience that he relies on when advising or simply speaking to our clients and I know that the clients appreciate that.’
‘Highly involved team, very efficient on delivering the result.’
Key clients
Devbridge
Practica Capital
Linas Agro Group
Senukai
Skonis ir kvapas
G4S Lietuva
NEPI Rockcastle
East West Agro
Komfovent
Amazon
Kauno Grūdai
Citus
Corum
Omberg
Bolt
ProtonMail
OP Finance
SCT Lubricants
Work highlights
- Advised the shareholders of Devbridge, a US-headquartered technology consulting firm, on the Lithuanian and international taxation aspects related to the sale of business to Cognizant Technology Solutions.
- Assisted 7-Industries in all tax matters in the acquisition of 25% of shares of Light Conversion, including tax due diligence of the target company and tax structuring of the transaction.
- Represented a real estate fund managed by Victory Funds in tax audit proceedings and subsequent negotiations with the Lithuanian tax authorities.
Ellex
With one of the largest tax teams in the market, Ellex offers an extensive service covering tax planning and structuring, compliance and accounting work. Corporate income tax is also a specialism of the team. Tax consultant and head of practice Gintaras Balcius has more than three decades of experience in the field. Further key names include Robertas Čiočys, a joint venture specialist with expertise in tax structuring, and senior associate Antanas Butrimas, who has three years’ experience working in the indirect tax division of the State Tax Inspectorate. Associate consultant Rūta Švedarauskienė is recommended for her auditing and accounting expertise.
Practice head(s):
Gintaras Balčius
Other key lawyers:
Antanas Butrimas; Robertas Čiočys; Ramunas Petravicius; Rūta Švedarauskienė
Testimonials
‘The team is highly professional with one of the most experienced specialists onboard. Highly available and very punctual.’
‘Their ability to dive deeper into the matters of the client, especially Antanas Butrimas, alongside a long track record of experience within the field.’
‘Good contact with people responsible for tax, quick reaction.’
Key clients
AS Graanul Invest
KS Holding, UAB
Bebawa, UAB
ConnectPay
UHB, UAB
Baltic Classifieds Group
AMC Capital IV
Lietuvos Paštas, UAB (Post of Lithuania)
SBA Furniture Group
TutoTOONS Limited
VMG Group
Smurfit Kappa Baltic, UAB
Danske Bank A/S
Linus Medical, OU
Dojus Group
Skuba, UAB
Vilniaus vystymo kompanija, UAB
Work highlights
- Advised shareholders on tax aspects of the sale of Graanul Invest (Graanul).
- Advised Lietuvos Paštas, UAB (Post of Lithuania) on diverse tax and accounting matters.
- Assisted SBA Furniture Group in the pilot project of receiving state incentives for large-scale investment, a regulatory initiative based on the contribution of the firm’s tax team.
Sorainen
Sorainen is adept in government relations work and transfer pricing, and the team is frequently called on for advice on the tax aspects of large transactions. Practice head Saulė Dagilytė is experienced in both direct and indirect taxation issues and has a strong track record in representing clients in negotiations with the Lithuanian tax authorities. Indrė Ščeponienė, who was previously deputy director of the large taxpayer monitoring department at the State Tax Inspectorate, is a further key name. Rasa Mikutienė left the firm in July 2022.
Practice head(s):
Saulė Dagilytė
Other key lawyers:
Indrė Ščeponienė
Testimonials
‘Mrs. Saulė Dagilytė. Her dedication to her work and clients is simply unique.’
‘Clear competencies.’
Key clients
ERGO Insurance SE
Nordcurrent Group
Lords LB Asset Management
Shift4 Payments Inc.
Ignitis Group
CGTrader
Šiaulių bankas AB
Pon.Bike
TC Investicija
SBA Group
Memby
Digi klasė
Titanium Baltic Real Estate fund
Work highlights
- Advised Šiaulių bankas on the tax aspects of the establishment of the €275m SB Modernisation Fund and signing agreements with the European Investment Bank and others on the financing and management of the fund.
- Advising Pon.Bike on all tax matters related to the construction and opening of a new bicycle factory in a Free Economic Zone of Kėdainiai, Lithuania.
- Advised the Titanium Baltic Real Estate fund on all tax matters related to the acquisition of DIY company Kesko Senukai’s flagship stores in Vilnius, Lithuania and Daugavpils, Latvia.
WALLESS
The tax practice at WALLESS is headed by founding partner Aiste Medeliene, a highly experienced expert in Lithuanian tax and customs law who continues to play a policy role – having previously worked in the public sector – as part of Ministry of Finance working groups. She is supported by Mindaugas Lukas, another very experienced tax practitioner with particular knowledge of venture capital-related tax work and the interplay between local tax legislation and EU law. Associate Alma Marcinkute is also key. The team is at the forefront of innovation in the tax space, with its work including assisting with the trialling of the ‘Estonian system’ new model corporate income tax framework.
Practice head(s):
Aistė Medelienė
Other key lawyers:
Mindaugas Lukas; Alma Marcinkute
Testimonials
‘Walless is a very dynamic and enthusiastic firm, which is growing quickly for a reason. They provide knowledgeable and hands-on advice, with direct partner involvement, and a deep knowledge of all that is going on in the filed of taxation.’
‘Solving and answering difficult questions.’
‘Aiste Medeliene and Mindaugas Lukas are our main points of contact – they provide knowledgeable and hands-on advice.’
‘Their business model leads to strong incentives for all partner and employees.’
‘They are practical and attentive to clients’ needs, and able to oversee issues and solve them.’
‘Efficient communication and effective solutions.’
‘Super quick response, easily understands our needs, smooth communication.’
‘I mostly work with Mindaugas Lukas. He has extensive experience and knowledge on tax law and tax structuring. I find him very productive, positively creative and solution focused. He is a reliable source of advice on tax issues.’
Key clients
UAB ThermoFisher Scientific Baltics
AB BE Group
UAB SB dantų klinika
Swedbank Life Insurance SE Lithuanian Branch
Omniva
UAB Estoty Vilnius
Veolia Group companies
AB Vilniaus Baldai
Innovation Agency Lithuania
Lords Asset Management companies
Capitalica Asset Management companies
Work highlights
- Assisted Innovation Agency Lithuania in the development of a new model of corporate income tax system, based on taxation upon the distributing of profits (a so-called ‘Estonian system’).
- Assisted Swedish company BE Group AB in restructuring its business in Baltics by merging Latvian and Lithuanian companies into the Estonian company, as well as amending the product supply chain.
- Advised UAB Estoty Vilnius on an employee stock option plan that would operate as a motivating tool for both employees of the company and management.
LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas
The LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas tax practice is led by experienced litigators Marius Grajauskas and Gintaras Balciunas and has a strong record in tax-related disputes, including defending clients in cases against the State Tax Inspectorate. On the non-contentious side, the team advises on the tax aspects of acquisitions and helps develop policy through its membership of The Association of the Lithuanian Tax Advisors.
Practice head(s):
Marius Grajauskas; Gintaras Balčiūnas
Key clients
UAB “Indeco: Investment and Development”
UAB koncernas “ACHEMOS GRUPĖ”
AB “Achema”
UAB “Renerga”
The Association of the Lithuanian Tax Advisors
Mantas Mockevičius
Vytautas Karalevičius
UAB “LIT INVEST”
Peter Cremer Holding GmbH & Co. KG
R. L.
Work highlights
- Advised Indeco regarding taxation requirements and risks when inter-group transactions are concluded.
- Represented LIT-INVEST in a case against the State Tax Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania.
- Participated as part of the Association of Lithuanian Tax Advisors in the working group which was preparing amendments of the commentary to the national law on VAT, as well as regulation of transfer pricing.
Motieka & Audzevicius
Clients describe working with Motieka & Audzevicius as ‘like being behind a strong wall with a storm of tax problems rumbling somewhere in the distance on the other side‘. Key to this concrete protection are practice heads Edvinas Lenkauskas and Mantas Juozaitis – promoted to partner and counsel respectively in 2022 – both of whom are experienced in tax planning and tax disputes. The team is particularly active in tax structuring for M&A transactions.
Practice head(s):
Edvinas Lenkauskas; Mantas Juozaitis
Testimonials
‘We rely on Motieka’s team because of their result-focused attitude which allows them to always find a way to successfully represent our interests. The firm’s tax team distinguishes itself from others with their highly educated and specialised professionals. They seem to always follow recent developments not only in the tax law field, but also in our industry. This allows us to understand each other from the first words, which is very satisfying.’
‘Edvinas Lenkauskas and Mantas Juozaitis are key members of the tax practice. They seem to have a ton of university degrees with a new one always on the horizon. They are always ready to provide fast and accurate answers to all relevant tax questions. An ability to anticipate upcoming issues or problems is especially useful since it allows us to take pre-emptive actions and save lots of trouble in the future. They are friendly and easy-going people, which creates a pleasant working atmosphere.’
‘We feel like being behind a strong wall with a storm of tax problems rumbling somewhere in the distance on the other side. We know the storm is there but we also know it will be dealt with and we can focus on our business.’
Key clients
Mailerlite
Agile Finance GP
Orion Securities FMĮ, UAB
ECSO Holding, UAB
Orbio World, UAB
Bertona Holdings Limited
Turing College, Inc.
Eneba Holdings Limited
Discovery Inc.
Linas Agro Group, AB
Work highlights
- Advised MailerLite on the sale of 100% of shares to Vercom, a Poland-listed technology company, and advised on tax structuring,
- Advised the shareholders on the sale of a 100% stake of ECSO and participated in structuring the series of transactions and advising on tax matters, including taxation of the swap by receiving virtual shares.
- Advised Orbio World on an e-commerce and digital marketing company merger and created tax and corporate architecture for the transaction and guided to successful implementation.
TGS Baltic
TGS Baltic has a strong track record in advising on the tax aspects of acquisitions in a number of key Lithuanian industries, including technology, healthcare and renewable energy. The firm is also notable for its ability to advise on the tax regimes of other EU member states for clients who are relocating their offices. Robertas Degesys left the firm, but has been replaced as practice head by Marijus Kriščiūnas, a former CEO in the manufacturing industry who has also previously worked in private legal practice. Tax consultant Loreta Antanaitienė is a key member of the team.
Practice head(s):
Marijus Kriščiūnas
Other key lawyers:
Loreta Antanaitienė
Testimonials
‘A lot of different qualities and knowledge in one place. Professional staff that can suggest strategies and advise on any case.’
‘Ability to quickly react to the needs of clients and answer questions.’
Key clients
The Bank of Lithuania
The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
Contrarian Ventures
Akropolis Group
Ignitis Group
Šiaulių bankas
Medicinos bankas
MEAG MUNICH ERGO AssetManagement
Novira Capital
Ermitažas
Barbora
EPSO-G
GPS Capital Markets
Work highlights
- Helped to structure the Contrarian Ventures Net Zero 2022 fund, which will invest in the climate tech sector, including new energy, smart mobility, decarbonisation of buildings and climate technologies.
- Assisted LRT with relocation of its staff to Brussels, with work including amending employment contracts and advising on Belgian tax frameworks.
- Advised InMedica with tax structuring relating to the acquisition of a plastic surgery clinic.
ECOVIS ProventusLaw
ECOVIS ProventusLaw has a ‘well-rounded‘ practice, assisting with tax registrations in Lithuania and tax-related employment matters. Loreta Andziulyte, experienced in VAT and restructuring-related tax work, leads the team jointly with corporate and banking lawyer Kęstutis Kvainauskas. Clients emphasise the firm’s proficiency in and adoption of IT solutions.
Practice head(s):
Loreta Andziulytė; Kęstutis Kvainauskas
Testimonials
‘The Team demonstrate wide-ranging and sophisticated knowledge and skills in the commercial legal matters that I have worked with them on.’
‘This practice is unique in that the team provides feedback for all aspects of our project.’
‘The individuals are able to give consistent and productive support in completing all areas of our project.’
Key clients
Paymentworld GmbH
NIUM EU, UAB
International Payment Union, UAB
MOKESČIŲ SRAUTAS, UAB (COUNTLINE)
CGI Lithuania
PHOENIX PAYMENTS, UAB
Bebawa, UAB
Majestic Financial, UAB
FK TransINVEST, VšĮ
LT Internet Ventures, UAB (Banxa)
Nine Gate, UAB
Start 2 Pay Limited, UAB
Sezzle Lithuania, UAB
Maneuver LT, UAB
Techcore Holding B.V.
GoGlobal
Xpay, UAB
Adtran GmbH
Advance capital pay
MAAS Avation
Auto Pay, UAB
Work highlights
- Assisted NIUM EU, UAB in consultations regarding the working scheme of VAT refunds operators’ activities.
- Assisted in assessing whether GoGlobal should be registered as a taxpayer in Lithuania when employing Lithuanian residents.
- Advised Adtran on whether the transfer of part of the business without setting up a legal entity in Lithuania would result in an obligation to register a permanent establishment in Lithuania and whether this would trigger an obligation to pay income and other taxes.
Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)
Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) advises on tax registration for multinational clients entering the Lithuanian market, as well as assisting with the tax implications of sales and acquisitions. Corporate lawyers Tomas Rymeikis and Rimtis Puišys operate the practice, drawing on their extensive knowledge of the local tax environment.
Practice head(s):
Rimtis Puišys; Tomas Rymeikis
Key clients
Gren Lietuva
NOOR
Recently formed firm NOOR advises on the tax implications of business expansion and restructuring under the leadership of Dainius Daugirda, who is well placed to advise on tax regulatory matters, having previously served as Deputy Chief of the Lithuanian State Tax Inspectorate. Insolvency and restructuring disputes specialist Daiva Ušinskaitė-Filonovienė is another key name.
Practice head(s):
Dainius Daugirda
Other key lawyers:
Daiva Ušinskaitė-Filonovienė
Testimonials
‘Dainius Daugirda – very caring, hardworking, attentive and professional.’
Key clients
CV Group, UAB
Game Masterminds OÜ
Virtual Privacy AG
Bona fortuna, UAB
Work highlights
- Advised CV Group, UAB (an internet start-up company) on issues related to a reorganisation of business structure.
- Advised Virtual Privacy (a blockchain-based business) on the tax aspects of the implementation of a project which was financed by crypto means.
- Represented Bona fortuna, UAB in relations with the tax authority regarding tax issues related to the business development and expansion of new activities.