The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Switzerland > Tax

Bär & Karrer Ltd. has a strong tax offering from its offices across Switzerland. The group is well integrated with other departments, and is able to leverage the strength of the firm's capital markets, corporate and private client practices; its main areas of activity are tax structuring; negotiations with tax authorities; and tax litigation. Susanne Schreiber, who is a key contact for corporate tax mandates, particularly those with cross-border elements, and Daniel Bader, who is regularly instructed by high-net-worth-individuals with regard to succession planning and private wealth structures, jointly lead the practice. Other key names include Christoph Suter in Geneva and Paolo Bottini in Lugano.

The tax team at Homburger works closely with the firm's capital markets, financing and M&A groups in order to offer an integrated service. It has a core focus on assisting corporate clients with various tax matters, but is also active for individuals. Practice head Reto Heuberger is well versed in the tax structuring of M&A transactions and tax planning. Peter Riedweg has a similar focus, while Dieter Grünblatt is a key contact for capital markets transactions, among others. Stefan Oesterhelt is also noted.

Lenz & Staehelin impresses with its expertise across the full gamut of tax matters. It handles tax planning and structuring; tax litigation and arbitration; M&A, restructurings and buyouts; and custom duties, among others. The team is experienced in cross-border mandates and is also regularly instructed by private clients; the latter is a particular strength of Geneva-based practice co-head Jean-Blaise Eckert. Tax planning expert Pascal Hinny, who is based in Zurich, is the practice co-head. Heini Rüdisühli , who is also in Zurich, and Geneva-based Daniel Schafer and Frédéric Neukomm are also key contacts.

Niederer Kraft Frey AG fields a team of lawyers, who are experienced in advising on general tax matters, structuring and litigation. Together with the firm's capital markets and financing departments, it also advises on significant transactions and financial products. Clients include companies and institutions, as well as private clients, athletes and sports associations. Practice head Thomas Graf is kept busy handling the tax aspects of cross-border business structures, M&A, and corporate reorganisations. Markus Kronauer is a key contact for issuers of asset-backed securities transactions. Recently promoted partner Christina Rinne, Daniela Schmucki and counsel Elga Reana Tozzi are also highlighted.

Oberson Abels Ltd has an established tax practice in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. The team is regularly instructed by companies in cross-border transactions and set-ups as well as by high-net-worth individuals for advice on estate planning and the structuring of compensation packages. Xavier Oberson in Geneva has a broad background in the field, with experience in tax litigation and criminal tax law, among others. Lausanne-based Pierre-Marie Glauser is well versed in tax matters related to M&A, financing and financial restructurings.

Walder Wyss Switzerland Global impresses with its broad practice and it handles work across the full spectrum of tax matters. The team advises on the tax-related aspects of transactions, structured finance, capital markets, corporate restructuring and relocation work, among others. Another core focus is estate planning. Maurus Winzap heads up the practice; he is a go-to adviser for financial and corporate clients for a variety of tax matters. Other prominent practitioners are Thomas Meister and Samuel Dürr in Bern. Fouad Sayegh in Geneva and Robert Desax are also noted.

Baker McKenzie's versatile offering includes assistance with tax planning; M&A, restructuring and real estate tax planning; and advising on VAT and transfer pricing, among others. The client portfolio consists of national and international companies and financial institutions and the team is well positioned to handle cross-border mandates due to its global network. Denis Berdoz and Kilian Perroulaz lead the teams in Geneva and Zurich respectively. Other names to note are Hans Koch, René Schreiber, Tobias Rohner and of counsel Andrea Bolliger.

Loyens & Loeff has strong expertise in matters relating to corporate tax, investment management and private clients. The team is instructed by international companies, private equity funds, financial services providers, high-net-worth individuals and family offices to assists with transactions, compliance, transfer pricing and litigation, among others. Practice head Beat Baumgartner is well versed in M&A and a variety of capital market transactions. He is regularly supported by associate Fabian Sutter. The team works closely with its Benelux offices.

Pestalozzi's team has experience of advising on the tax aspects of M&A, financing and real estate transactions, with particular expertise in various kinds of restructurings. Another core practice is advising private clients on tax planning and compliance matters. Nils Harbeke heads up the group; he is well versed in international taxation, and inbound and outbound tax planning for domestic and foreign clients. Jonas Sigrist regularly advises on matters related to corporate tax. Counsel Silvia Zimmermann is another key name.

The tax team of Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd works closely together with the corporate, M&A, B&F, private clients, employment, real estate and DR departments of the firm. Besides tax structuring and planning, it also has special expertise in customs, auditing and international double taxation. Geneva-practice head Pietro Sansonetti has long-standing experience in the negotiation with tax authorities. Michael Nordin is the other co-head as has broad expertise in transactions. Jean-Frédéric Maraia in Geneva is a key contact for private clients and in tax litigation.

The boutique Tax Partner AG is well versed in the full gamut of related matters. The nine-partner strong team assists companies with corporate taxation, tax compliance and proceedings, as well as transfer pricing, customs and VAT, among others. It is also instructed by individuals and public sector clients. Stephan Pfenninger has particular knowledge in the real estate sector, while David Ryser is experienced in restructurings. Patrik Schwarb and Peter Vogt are also highlighted practitioners.

ADB Altorfer Duss & Beilstein is a boutique firm specialised in handling tax matters for institutions from the financial services, chemical, manufacturing and engineering as well as private clients. The team has comprehensive experience in tax law, litigation and VAT, among others. Pascal Taddei is a key contact for the tax-related aspects of restructuring, M&A and relocation, while Fabian Duss has a focus on tax-efficient supply chain management and transfer pricing. Other prominent practitioners are Jürg Altorfer, Andreas Helbing and Marco Greter.

Froriep stands out for its broad tax practice, which focuses in particular on cross-border mandates. It assists with tax planning for a variety of clients and transactions, exchange of information, transfer pricing and tax proceedings. It has a notable focus on digital-related matters, including blockchain, cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding and e-payment. Marcel Jung heads up the team; besides his broad tax practice, he also advises on stock corporation law, financial accounting and financial reporting law. Other key names are Dimitri Rotter and Julie Wynne in Zug and Geneva, respectively.

Basel-based Ludwig + Partner Ltd. is a boutique law firm specialised in corporate tax advice, corporate restructuring and real estate transactions  at a national and international level. The team, which consists of Swiss-certified tax practitioners, is led by Hubertus Ludwig and Thomas Ziegler, who are able to draw on their previous expertise working for professional services firms. Other names to note are public notary Karolina Dobry and associate Beatrice Van der Haegen.

With offices in Zurich and Zug, MME Legal | Tax | Compliance has a strong presence across German-speaking Switzerland. The team advises companies, family offices and individuals on corporate tax law, tax planning, compliance and real estate transactions as well as VAT and customs, among others. Samuel Bussmann and Andreas Müller in Zug are able to draw on their previous experience working at a Big Four company. Thomas Linder is a key contact for clients in the technology sector. Christoph Rechsteiner and Zug-based Monika Molnar are also noted.

The Geneva-based tax team at Python covers the full gamut of matters in the space; it recently was involved in various restructurings for private clients and family offices, and also assisted with relocations and acquisitions. Etienne von Streng is experienced in acting before various Swiss authorities as well as in all sorts of transactions. Per Prod’Hom is also well versed in corporate taxation and VAT. Frédéric Gante is also highlighted.

VISCHER's team covers a broad range of tax matters, including support on M&A transactions, restructurings, relocation of businesses and litigation proceedings. The client portfolio includes domestic and international companies from a variety of sectors, including aviation, financial services, pharmaceutical and life sciences, among others. Practice co-head Nadia Tarolli Schmidt, who is based in Basel, has particular expertise in tax matters relating to the pharmaceutical industry. She jointly leads the team with Christoph Niederer, who can provide comprehensive insight into tax matters related to blockchain and ICOs. Senior associate Adrian Briner is also noted.

Wenger & Vieli LTD has a comprehensive tax practice, providing tax support to the firm's other departments on transactions, as well as handling reorganisations and restructurings, VAT support and appeals. The client portfolio includes various national and international companies as well as private clients. Bruno Bächli leads the team; he has special expertise in tax disclosure programmes for onshore and offshore clients and succession planning. Barbara Brauchli Rohrer is another name to note.

National and international companies, private equity and venture funds regularly instruct BianchiSchwald LLC on tax matters. Led by Joseph Merhai in Geneva, the team advises on restructurings and reorganisations, and it is notably active in tax litigation proceedings. Merhai is also experienced in assisting with the taxation aspects of collective investment schemes. Sébastien Maury is a key contact in Zurich. Managing associate Gianni Fera is also noted.

Bratschi Ltd's team has considerable experience assisting clients with tax planning matters, particularly relating to relocations, reorganisations, acquisitions, sales, restructurings and financing. Another focus area is advising family offices on tax matters as well as tax litigation. Michael Barrot leads the team and has a broad background, which covers various international transactions and commodities trading, among others. Walter Boss has more than 30 years of experience in the area.

The team at CMS has considerable experience in assisting clients with a variety of tax planning matters and particularly with business reorganisations. It works closely across offices and as part of a cross-practice offering with the firm's banking and finance, insurance and real estate departments, among others. Geneva-based Andrio Orler is highly active in various transactions. Sarah Busca Bonvin is able to draw on her previous experience with the Geneva Tax Administration. Zurich-based David Hürlimann also assists with individual taxation and VAT matters.

FBT Attorneys-at-Law is routinely sought out by banks, investment managers, trust companies, high-net-worth individuals and family offices to handle tax matters. The core team comprises of Michel Abt, who is also knowledgeable in banking and finance law, and Jean-Luc Bochatay, who is experienced in cross-border tax planning and tax disputes. The group also advises on tax transparency and tax criminal proceedings. It works closely with the firm's Paris office.

Geneva-based boutique Gillioz Dorsaz & Associés is noted for its activity in tax structuring for corporations and individuals as well as for handling tax-related litigation. Other areas of expertise including advising on the tax aspects of financial reorganisation, restructuring and compensations. Nicole Fragniere-Meyer is the key contact at the firm. Stéphane Tanner left to found Tanner Conseil in April 2019.

Under the lead of Geneva-based managing partner Patrice Lefèvre-Péaron , the team at Jeantet specialises in advising clients from French-speaking countries on a variety of tax matters and works fully integrated with the firm's Paris and Luxembourg offices. Core areas of tax expertise include general planning, litigation and assistance with M&A transactions, where it is instructed by corporates, financial institutions and family businesses.

Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Ltd is regarded for its experience in tax regulatory matter as well as tax structuring mandates. Furthermore, the team is also regularly involved in various different transactions, where it works closely with the firm's M&A, capital markets and finance departments. Markus Frank Huber is a key contact for clients in the life sciences, consumer products and telecoms sectors. Geneva-based Philippe Mantel made partner in 2019. Thomas Nabholz joined in Zurich from E&Y in October 2019. Urs Behnisch left the firm.

Prager Dreifuss AG covers a wide range of tax matters, and is particularly involved in handling tax aspects relating to corporate, financing and real estate transactions. Other active areas are advising private clients on tax planning and administrative assistance procedures, as well as working together with the firm's fintech team on related matters. Practice head Roland Böhi has additional experience in transfer pricing and tax litigation.