Cobalt’s tax team undertakes both contentious and non-contentious work, most notably including areas such as transfer pricing, tax structuring and the tax aspects of M&A transactions. Practice head Rokas Daugėla has extensive experience of cross-border matters and transfer pricing. Disputes are typically handled by senior associate Nerijus Jurkus, who highly experienced in customs issues.
Tax in Lithuania
Cobalt
Practice head(s):
Rokas Daugėla
Other key lawyers:
Nerijus Jurkus
Testimonials
‘Good working knowledge of the routines of tax inspectorate.’
‘Rokas Daugėla is very knowledgeable and understanding.’
Key clients
Devbridge
Northern Horizon Capital
Open Circle Capital
Linas Agro Group
Lidl Lietuva
Bennet Distributors
Margūnas
Skonis ir kvapas
G4S Lietuva
NEPI Rockcastle
Work highlights
- Representing Skonis ir kvapas in a high-profile tax dispute against the Lithuanian tax authorities over an excise duty payment.
- Representing Bennet Distributors in a series of tax audits carried out by Lithuanian customs authorities.
- Assisted NEPI Rockcastle with obtaining a binding tax ruling on deductibility of interest expenses.
Ellex
Ellex provides ‘timely advice on national as well as international tax issues’, and is particularly strong in assisting corporate clients with the tax aspects of major reorganisations, exits and transactions. Practice head and tax consultant Gintaras Balčius advises on an array of issues, including tax litigation and transfer pricing. He brings a unique perspective on tax legislation as a former tax inspector for the local tax authorities. Associate consultant Rūta Švedarauskienė is another key name.
Practice head(s):
Gintaras Balčius
Other key lawyers:
Rūta Švedarauskienė
Testimonials
‘Speed, quality and flexibility’
‘Business-oriented approach, loyalty, reliability and promptness are the key strengths of Ellex tax team. Its experts always provide timely advice on national as well as international tax issues. I personally find them as having solid experience in communicating with tax authorities and closely following recent taxation trends.’
‘Gintaras Balčius is a highly skilled tax expert with a friendly personality. His good business knowledge in tandem with tax legislation (even outside Lithuania), as well as his valuable collaboration with the tax authorities allowed us to achieve the best results.’
Key clients
Orbis SA
Bolt Technology OU
Maxima grupė, UAB
Gym plius, UAB
Smurfit Kappa Baltic, UAB
Baltic Sea Properties SA
Science and Technology Park of Institute of Physics
Danske Bank A/S
Sito Rakennuttajat Oy
CityBee Solutions, UAB
Madara Invest Ltd
Cobra Group
Edenred SA
Modus Group
Hollister Inc.
PayRay, UAB
Kavita, UAB
TEVA group
Work highlights
- Advised Gym Plius on the sale of its 100% shares to My Fitness.
- Advised Bolt Technology on the expansion of its business activities.
- Advising Smurfit Kappa Baltic on transfer pricing compliance matters.
Sorainen
Sorainen, which handles the gamut of tax advisory work, acts for clients such as Uber, Barclays and Adidas. Team head Saulė Dagilytė is notably adept at advising on the tax aspects of corporate transactions. Dagilytė is supported by of counsel Indrė Ščeponienė, who is a key name for contentious work. Another key individual is senior associate Rasa Mikutienė, who focuses on restructurings.
Practice head(s):
Saulė Dagilytė
Other key lawyers:
Indrė Ščeponienė; Rasa Mikutienė
Key clients
McKesson Business Services Lithuania UAB (subsidiary of McKesson Europe AG)
Uber B.V.
Decathlon Lietuva UAB
Metso Corporation
KAYAK Software Corporation
Barclays Group Operations Lithuania
Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Grup
adidas Baltics SIA
Vinted UAB
Clifford Chance (Paris)
Work highlights
- Conducted an economic analysis of the situation of Lithuanian cinema operators for the Lithuanian Film Centre.
- Advised Vinted on obtaining a ruling from the State Tax Inspectorate on the preferential treatment of employees’ stock options for personal income tax purposes.
- Advised on Bitė’s acquisition of Telecentras‘ internet, data transmission and IPTV business.
WALLESS
WALLESS is ‘highly regarded’ and has ‘a solid reputation with the tax authorities and in the market generally’. Practice head Aistė Medelienė undertakes both advisory work and dispute resolution, and has expertise in both litigation and arbitration. She is also skilled in customs law and private wealth management. She forms the team with Mindaugas Lukas , who specialises in tax structuring, transaction and private wealth management.
Practice head(s):
Aistė Medelienė
Other key lawyers:
Mindaugas Lukas
Testimonials
‘Both partners in the practice, Aistė Medelienė and Mindaugas Lukas, make a very balanced combination of expertise, experience and innovation. They are highly regarded and have solid reputation with the tax authorities and in the market generally. Mindaugas Lukas stands-out for not being afraid to deal with hard issues and complex situations, openly present and discuss all ups and downs, simply explain risks and benefits. Aistė Medelienė has an unmatched ability to professionally moderate client.’
‘Quick and responsive. Makes their homework before jumping into conclusions or actions. Stops the client from risky or non-necessary actions.’
Key clients
Inbank AS
Elecnor S.A. / Inabensa Instalaciones S.A.U (Abengoa)
Enteco Baltic UAB (part of SBA Group)
B Baltics UAB
Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB
BNP Paribas
Eastnine Lithuania, UAB
Lombard Internationals Assurance SA
Wel International Trading DMCC
Simplex payment services
Work highlights
- Advised two Spanish companies in their implementation of a public procurement contract with Lithuanian Railways.
- Representing UAB Enteco Baltic in a tax dispute with Lithuanian customs authorities on a 0 import VAT application.
- Advised a consortium of lenders on Ignitis Grupe’s bond issuance.
GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners
GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners delivers ‘a fast and timely reaction’ in relation to the tax aspects of reorganisations, market entries and intra-group transactions. Artūras Bakšys advises on the tax elements of M&A, real estate and project finance transactions. Another notable name is Edvard Gasperskij, who is an expert in reorganisations and company formations.
Practice head(s):
Artūras Bakšys
Other key lawyers:
Edvard Gasperskij
Testimonials
‘Fast and timely reaction. You know that these people are working for you.’
‘Arturas Baksys- Reliable, strategic thinking, devotion.’
Key clients
Whatagraph B.V., Netherlands company
Mostra Group, Belarus company
Clean Solutions, UAB
Work highlights
- Advised Mostra Group on applicable tax regimes in Lithuania and EU.
- Advised Clean Solutions on the tax aspects of intra group transactions.
LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas
LEADELL Balciunas ir Grajauskas' tax team is highly proficient in handling VAT disputes, corporate expansions and public service obligations. Managing partner Marius Grajauskas leads the practice and is very strong in assisting clients with state tax investigations. Litigator Gintaras Balčiūnas is another key name.
Practice head(s):
Marius Grajauskas
Other key lawyers:
Gintaras Balčiūnas
Key clients
UAB “LIT-INVEST”
Metoil, UAB
UAB koncernas “ACHEMOS GRUPĖ”
AB “Achema”
The Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists
The Association of the Lithuanian Tax Advisors
UAB “Agrochema”
UAB “Renerga”
Work highlights
- Advised Achemos Grupe on transfer pricing issues..
- Represented LIT-INVEST in a VAT dispute against the State Tax Inspectorate.
- Representing Metoil on matters regarding 0 percent VAT rate application.
Motieka & Audzevicius
Motieka & Audzevicius stands out for its work on contentious matters, and its practice is jointly led by senior associates Mantas Juozaitis and Edvinas Lenkauskas. Juozaitis is an expert in international trade disputes, particularly on matters concerning other CIS and EU countries, while Lenkauskas has a notably strong client base in the digital marketing and e-commerce. The team also handles non-contentious work, such as tax structuring, transactions and VAT.
Practice head(s):
Mantas Juozaitis; Edvinas Lenkauskas
Testimonials
‘High level of service and high level professionals in each field. Exclusive attention to customer compared with other law firms.’
Key clients
Skycop.com, UAB
Linas Agro, AB
Kesko Senukai Digital, UAB
Žabolis ir partneriai, UAB
Olympic Casino Group Baltija, UAB
YNOT Media, UAB
Helis Play, UAB
Rikusta, UAB
FCR Media Lietuva, UAB
Infomedia, UAB
Ekomlita, UAB
Dasma ir partneriai, UAB
Rokiškio aliejinė, UAB
Work highlights
- Represented Linas Agro, AB in a dispute before the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding customs duties.
- Advised Helis Play on the tax aspects of local investments.
- Advised YNOT Media on the tax aspects of its business expansion.
TGS Baltic
TGS Baltic's team is ‘very professional and efficient when solving tax-related matters’. It focuses on tax structuring, transactions, transfer pricing and disputes. The practice is led by Robertas Degesys, who acts for clients such as Lithuania’s Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank. Tax consultant Loreta Antanaitienė is an expert in handling investigations and disputes.
Practice head(s):
Robertas Degesys
Other key lawyers:
Loreta Antanaitienė
Testimonials
‘Very professional and efficient when solving tax-related matters. ’
‘Loreta always lets client know the risky aspects of a transaction. One can see that she feels strong responsibility for negative consequences for a client, which may appear after a transaction, also strives for long-term cooperation with clients and maintaining a good professional reputation in the market for legal services.’
Key clients
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
Bank of Lithuania
Work highlights
- Advised the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania on tax aspects of structuring and issuing Eurobonds.
- Advised the Bank of Lithuania on the establishment of the Lithuanian Aid Fund for Business in the context of COVID-19.
ECOVIS ProventusLaw
ECOVIS ProventusLaw's membership of a global consulting group makes it well placed to handle tax matters, with notable strengths in handling VAT and employment issues. Loreta Andziulytė, who leads the practice, has a strong background acting for clients in the financial services sector.
Practice head(s):
Loreta Andziulytė
Key clients
Web Shield Legal Library
ECOVIS Milczarek i Wspólnicy Kancelaria Prawna Sp.k.
UAB Red Dot Payment
UAB Aforti
Chamber of Insurance Brokers
UAB Skanėja
UAB Estnaila
UAB Arctic Adventures
ofakim LT, UAB
UAB BEBAWA
Work highlights
- Advised the Chamber of Insurance Brokers on issues concerning health insurance premiums.
- Advised ofakim LT on the issues of taxing brokerage services.
- Advised Estnaila on obtaining a state tax deduction for rent.
Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)
Eversheds Saladžius (a member of Eversheds Sutherland) assists its international client base with a wide range of tax issues, which recently included VAT, carbon tax and employment matters. Corporate partner Tomas Rymeikis is the key name to note at the firm, which is the only international law firm based in Lithuania.
Practice head(s):
Tomas Rymeikis
Key clients
Fortum Heat Lietuva
Fortum Klaipėda
Sofa Brands
Work highlights
- Advised Fortum Heat Lietuva on CO2 taxation issues.
- Advised Sofa Brands on tax deferral issues surrounding Covid 19.
- Advised Fortum Klaipėda on carbon tax matters.