Tax in Guatemala
Consortium Legal
Consortium Legal's tax practice is made up of 'specialists in different areas of the law, allowing it to offer a full service'; the team 'inspires trust, as much through its abilities as through its discretion'. The firm is noted for its expertise in advising foreign investors and multinational corporations with operations in Guatemala on complex tax matters, particularly in the financial, charity, manufacturing and mining sectors. Alfredo Rodríguez, who stands out for his 'extensive experience', 'professionalism' and 'ability to offer practical solutions', heads the practice. In a recent highlight, Rodríguez and associate Alejandra Fuentes-Pieruccini advised Hapi, a company providing support to Guatemalan startups, on its tax structure. Olga Meléndez and tax litigation specialist David Erales are also key contacts.
Mayora & Mayora, S.C.
Mayora & Mayora, S.C. has 'unparalleled knowledge' of tax law, advising on import and export taxation, foreign tax planning, corporate taxation and tax regulation. Its client base includes a number of large local and international companies, such as Cofiño Stahl (the distributor of Toyota vehicles in Guatemala), GBM, Energuate and Cementos Progreso. The firm has also been increasingly active in transfer pricing matters, in which Juan Carlos Casellas has particular expertise, and represents clients in tax litigation. Eduardo A Mayora, who has 'an outstanding reputation' in the area, leads the team, which also includes senior associate Juan Carlos Foncea. At the time of writing, the firm is in the process of forming a cross-border tax practice across its offices in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
Archila & Asociados
Mario Archila leads the practice at tax boutique Archila & Asociados, which has a strong reputation for representing clients in litigation with the tax authorities. The firm's client base consists of a number of large local corporations and international companies with operations in Guatemala, particularly in the automotive, energy and agricultural sectors; key clients include Esso Guatemala Servicios, Seguros Mapfre, Renace, Molinos Modernos and Cofiño Stahl. Recently, Archila acted for Energuate in an action relating to tax fraud brought by the tax authority. On the non-contentious side, the firm also advises on tax planning.
Arias
Arias has particular strength in advising foreign investors on the tax aspects of financing projects in Guatemala. The team also assists local and international clients with tax planning and compliance, tax advice relating to M&A and other corporate transactions, real estate tax and transfer pricing. Ximena Tercero leads the practice; she recently advised a large retail company on the mitigation of tax contingencies derived from cross-border inter-company operations, as well as advising a technology supplier on whether its digital services were subject to taxation in Guatemala. While it is better known for advising on non-contentious matters, the firm also handles tax litigation.
Carrillo & Asociados
Carrillo & Asociados is known for its strength in advising multinational companies on tax matters, including tax planning for their Guatemalan operations, import and export tax issues, and litigation proceedings against the tax authority. The firm is also active assisting high-net-worth individuals with international tax and estate planning. The practice is led by founding partner Alfonso Carrillo, who has extensive experience advising on the tax aspects of cross-border transactions, and Rodolfo Alegría, who is noted for his advice on tax issues relating to restructurings and M&A transactions. Senior associate María de Lourdes Villanueva specialises in tax and customs matters.
QIL+4 ABOGADOS, S.A.
QIL+4 ABOGADOS, S.A. advises local and international clients on a range of tax issues, including the tax aspects of cross-border transactions, tax restructuring and compliance. In a recent highlight, practice head José Quiñones advised an agro-industrial conglomerate on the tax aspects of the sale of a product division. The team also represents clients in litigation against the tax authority; significant matters included defending a leading agri-business conglomerate against a tax fraud complaint, and acting for a large multinational in a claim brought by the tax authority over errors made in relation to products consigned for re-export. Clients include Daimler, Henkel La Luz, Abbott Laboratories and AmBev.