The 'expert' and 'very experienced' team at Alta QIL+4 Abogados has notable strength in local and cross-border tax matters, advising on the tax aspects of multi-jurisdictional M&A and financial transactions, as well as tax restructuring, compliance, transfer pricing and the tax issues relating to setting up new businesses. The team also handles contentious matters, representing clients in litigation before the courts and tax authorities and in complex tax investigations. Practice head José Quiñones is experienced in advising foreign financial institutions on the tax aspects of bond offerings, M&A and project finance transactions. He receives strong support from senior associates Otto Ardón, who regularly advises regional corporations on the tax aspects of restructurings and acquisitions, and Hellen Guerra, who has particular expertise in tax planning and transfer pricing issues.
Tax in Guatemala
Alta QIL+4 Abogados
Practice head(s):
José Quiñones
Testimonials
‘The advice is of the highest level. As a client, we feel supported and very well advised at all stages of the transaction.’
‘The entire team are experts and very experienced. I would like to highlight José Quiñones for his availability, effort, practical approach and focus on results.’
Key clients
Telus International
Daimler
Henkel
Abbot Laboratories
Pay Pal
Credit Suisse
Banque Cantonale de Geneve
Macquarie Bank
AmBev
Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compañía
Work highlights
- Defended a leading agribusiness conglomerate against a criminal complaint filed by the local tax authority alleging tax fraud.
- Acting for a major tobacco company in a dispute over an administrative ruling by the local tax authority relating to the procedure for tax adjustments.
Consortium Legal
The ‘excellent‘ team at Consortium Legal draws on the firm’s presence throughout Central America to advise on multi-jurisdictional tax matters, including the tax aspects of M&A transactions. The team also advises on transfer pricing and tax planning, and represents clients in disputes with the tax authorities. Among its clients are local, regional and multinational companies from the financial, non profit, manufacturing, agroindustrial and mining sectors. Alfredo Rodríguez is experienced in advising on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, including M&A and private equity investments, as well as advising high-net-worth individuals and family groups on estate and succession planning. He co-heads the team with the experienced Olga Meléndez and David Erales, who leads the tax litigation practice. Associate Alejandra Fuentes-Pieruccini is noted for her advice on transfer pricing and international taxation. Since publication, the team has been rejoined by Mario Archila, previously head of his own practice at Archila & Asociados.
Practice head(s):
Alfredo Rodríguez; Olga Meléndez; David Erales
Testimonials
‘An excellent team with a very good grasp of tax matters. They give constant feedback and good advice when required.’
‘They are always fully available to help, and work directly with clients, so they feel like part of the team. David Erales’s service is truly comprehensive.’
‘They stand out for their knowledge, capability, professional and ethical attitude, availability to clients and excellent interpersonal relationships.’
Key clients
United Airlines
Cemex Guatemala
Alapar
Banrural
Bantrab
Grupo Multi Inversiones
Grupo Farmagua
Grupo PDC
Grupo Bac-Credomatic
Cinepolis Guatemala
Walmart
Milésimo
Grupo Sur
Banco Industrial
Work highlights
- Advised Grupo PDC on the tax aspects of the leveraged acquisition of the Australian Dairy Goods business in Guatemala and El Salvador and of the operations of Dizac, one of the main distributors in El Salvador.
- Advised a Guatemalan group of investors on the tax matters relating to the acquisition of Absortex, which produces and distributes diapers, feminine hygiene products and other hygiene supplies.
Mayora & Mayora, S.C.
The Guatemalan member of Lataxnet, a network of Latin American firms focused on tax and transfer pricing, and with additional offices in El Salvador and Honduras, Mayora & Mayora, S.C. is well placed to handle Central America-wide tax issues. The ‘exceptional‘ team advises on tax planning, transfer pricing, customs issues, indirect taxation and tax-related disputes. Its clients include a wide range of companies from the banking, construction, food and beverages, technology, energy and telecoms sectors. Led by the highly regarded Eduardo Mayora, the team includes ‘standout‘ partner Juan Carlos Casellas, who has notable expertise in tax litigation, and senior associate Juan Carlos Foncea, who is experienced in advising Guatemalan and international companies on tax planning and cross-border tax issues.
Practice head(s):
Eduardo Mayora
Testimonials
‘Mayora & Mayora’s expertise in aeronautical tax matters makes it exceptional.’
‘Juan Carlos Casellas is always aware of the different legislative changes and the possible effects that they may have on our industry. In addition, he is very available and expresses himself fluently.’
‘Both the client service and the performance of the lawyers in our tax lawsuits has been brilliant. Juan Carlos Casellas is truly an exceptional guy and very knowledgeable on the subject. They are far above the rest of the offices we have worked with.’
‘They stand out for their attention to clients and knowledge of the issues. Juan Carlos Casellas is a standout.’
‘What makes the firm stand out is that the lawyers are not only specialists in tax matters, but also have knowledge of the needs of their clients, so they can give personalised and tailored advice. This firm, in our opinion, stands out above others.’
‘They establish personal relationships with clients and the commitment of the team is outstanding. This makes a very important difference in relation to other competitors. The firm’s main qualities are the deep knowledge of the subject, leadership, commitment, customer service, and the passion demonstrated by partners such as Eduardo Mayora and Juan Carlos Casellas.’
‘Juan Carlos Casellas stands out for his knowledge of tax law in administrative and judicial processes.’
Key clients
Banco Industrial
Cindu de Guatemala
Ingenio Palo Gordo
GBM de Guatemala (IBM)
Bolsa de Valores Nacional de Guatemala
Gas Natural Fenosa Telecomunicaciones Guatemala (UFINET)
Anixter International
Euro-Funding Multilateral Projects
Isotron
Archila & Asociados
Tax litigation boutique Archila & Asociados acts for large domestic companies and multinationals from a broad range of sectors, including construction and real estate, software development, automobiles, food and beverages, and agroindustry. The team focuses on defending its clients in disputes with the tax authority, and recently it has been particularly active in litigation against the customs administration over import taxation. In addition, the firm offers a non-contentious practice which advises on tax compliance policies and structures and tax planning. Since publication, Mario Archila has departed to rejoin the tax practice at Consortium Legal.
Testimonials
‘They are very well known by the tax administration, and often when they appear on cases the tax administration does not pursue the matter.’
Key clients
Radio Televisión Guatemala
Televisiete
Spectrum
Plantaciones Minar
Floricultura
Vistas Pradera
Urrea Constructores
Desarrollos San Jose
Energuate
Asociación de Azucareros de Guatemala
Corporación Multi-Inversiones
Cofiño Stahl (Toyota)
Asociación de Importadores de Vehículos
Asociación de Importadores de Motocicletas
Esso Guatemala Servicios (Exxon-Mobil)
Transequipos (Rover)
Grupo Introsa
Seguros Mapfre
PepsiCo
Grupo Tecún
NCO Star Comunicaciones Guatemala
Inversiones y Bienes del Atlántico
Sonido Seguro
Grupo Almo
Ternium
Spectrum
Reserva Oakland
Servicios Educativos Centroamericanos
Vistas Pradera
Central Agrícola
Bandegua
Grupo Ferroso
Tableros de Aglomerado
Innovacycle Guatemala
Importadora Jaeger
Postforming
Ferromax
Work highlights
- Acting for steel manufacturing and export company Ferromax in litigation with the customs administration over import taxes.
- Acting for recycling company Innovacycle in litigation over import taxes.
- Acting for Importadora Jaeger in litigation relating to import taxes.
Arias
Arias has been particularly active recently advising on customs tax issues, as well as advising technology companies on the growing area of digital services taxation. The team acts primarily for multinationals operating in Central America, often advising on cross-border issues alongside the firm’s other offices in the region; its areas of strength include the retail, oil and gas, logistics and BPO sectors. In addition, the team advises on the tax aspects of financial, M&A and real estate transactions and draws on its strong litigation department to handle tax disputes. An increasingly established figure, practice head Ximena Tercero is experienced in transfer pricing and international trade matters, and is a key member of the firm’s pro bono practice. Associate Elisa Lacs is noted for her customs law expertise.
Practice head(s):
Ximena Tercero
Carrillo & Asociados
Advising multinationals with operations in Guatemala on tax planning is a key area of strength for the team at Carrillo & Asociados, which also advises on the tax aspects of corporate transactions and customs and import tariff issues, and assists foreign and Guatemalan ultra-high-net-worth clients with estate planning and international tax matters. On the contentious side, senior associates Ricardo Recinos and Fernando Mendizábal have expertise in tax disputes. Founding partner Alfonso Carrillo, who has experience in complex, cross-border tax matters, and Rodolfo Alegria, who advises major Central American companies on tax planning and the tax aspects of M&A and restructurings, lead the team. Senior associate María de Lourdes Villanueva brings additional expertise in customs and international trade issues and cross-border tax structures to the team. Since publication, Alegría has left the firm after more than 30 years, moving to Estudio Chávez Bosque as of March 2022.
Practice head(s):
Alfonso Carrillo
Key clients
Datum
Syngenta
Nestlé Guatemala
Assa Abloy Guatemala
Olam Agro
Tubex
Work highlights
- Acting for software company Datum in a dispute with the tax authority over the payment of income tax.
- Assisting agrochemicals production and distribution company Syntenga with the tax issues associated with changes to its value chain in Central America and the Caribbean.
- Defending Nestlé Guatemala against a criminal complaint brought by the tax administration over alleged customs fraud.
A. D. Sosa & Soto
Juan Pablo Ortiz, who has notable past experience as general counsel to the Guatemalan tax administration, co-heads the practice at A. D. Sosa & Soto, which has recently seen an increase in work advising on compliance with local and international tax regulations and strategic tax planning. The team also advises on transfer pricing, the tax aspects of corporate and real estate transactions, and tax-related disputes. Practice co-head Einar Klanderud focuses on tax litigation.
Practice head(s):
Einar Klanderud; Juan Pablo Ortiz
Testimonials
‘Juan Pablo Ortiz has experience in the public and private sectors and is able to deal with and understand client’s problems in a comprehensive way, without biases.’
BLP
As a full-service firm, BLP is able to draw on the strength of its corporate and finance departments to assist clients with various tax issues, regularly advising national and international companies on the tax implications of setting up operations in Guatemala and investing in local companies. In addition, the team advises on administrative processes and audits conducted by the tax authority. Practice head María Inés Arenales handles the tax structuring of corporate and financial transactions, and senior associate Rogelio Muñoz is experienced in tax compliance and due diligence.
Practice head(s):
Maria Ines Arenales
Key clients
Tata Accesorios Globales
Lafrancol Guatemala
HCL
Eversheds
Atco Espaciomovil
Versatec
Dole
Centrorent
Ceva Logistics
Huntsman
Work highlights
- Advised Tata Accesorios Globales on various tax matters, including defending the client in tax and customs litigation and assisting with strategic transactions and their tax implications.
- Advised pharmaceuticals manufacturer Lafrancol Guatemala on the tax implications of different restructuring scenarios.
- Advising BPO and technology company HCL on special tax regimes under which the company can be registered, making its operation more tax-efficient.
EY Law Central America
With offices throughout the region, EY Law Central America is well placed to advise clients on tax issues in Central America and the Dominican Republic. The team assists with due diligence and tax structuring for M&A transactions, transfer pricing and tax compliance, and has seen recent growth in tax controversy work. Its client base includes companies from the agroindustry, telecoms, real estate, consumer products, energy and financial services sectors. Costa Rica-based Rafael Sayagués leads the team with Manuel Ramírez, who focuses on international tax and the tax implications of corporate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Rafael Sayagués; Manuel Ramírez
Testimonials
‘Good knowledge of our business and tax issues.’
‘The team stands out for its understanding of tax law and ability to defend us.’
Sfera Legal
Sfera Legal regularly advises on corporate and individual tax planning, procedures for the refund of tax credits and compliance with Guatemalan tax regulations, as well as handling tax and customs-related litigation. Managing partner Ignacio Andrade Aycinena leads the team, while founding partner Jorge Asensio Aguirre is also a key figure in the practice. In addition, senior associate Luis Enrique Solares is highly experienced in administrative and judicial tax proceedings. Associate Marta Alonzo acts in tax and customs disputes.
Practice head(s):
Ignacio Andrade Aycinena
Testimonials
‘Ignacio Andrade and Marta Alonzo are standout individuals.’
Key clients
Telecomunicaciones Celulares – Tigo
ADM
Grupo Tir