Tax

We rank as the law firm with the longest tradition in tax law expertise in Switzerland in all major league tables.

Lenz & Staehelin ranks as the law firm with the longest tradition in tax law expertise in Switzerland. The firm focused on tax matters, at the time a highly unusual choice. Ever since then it has been our ambition to provide the best technical and still practical tax advice in the country. Lenz & Staehelin ranks as leading firm in the field of tax law in all major league tables.

We cover all aspects of tax planning, and represent our clients in court proceedings and in front of tax authorities. Diligent tax planning is a high priority for any forward-looking company or individual, particularly in the context of international business transactions and a changing world of transparency when tax optimization also has to take into account ethical standards. We provide our clients with comprehensive and expert advice on inter-cantonal and cross-border matters, and we benefit from strong ties to leading law firms all over the world and excellent contacts to all relevant tax administrations in Switzerland.

Lenz & Staehelin does its utmost to attract and educate lawyers whose attitude and personality make them esteemed counterparts for a distinguished clientele with an unparalleled spectrum of interests. Our team only accepts people of the highest competence who have gained thorough experience in several different areas of the law. Lawyers of our Tax group typically hold an additional qualification as a Certified Tax Expert. Given that most of the members of our Tax team belong to and interact with two or three different practice groups of our firm, they also have a deep understanding of adjoining fields of the law. Clients thus derive maximum benefit from our firm’s know-how in areas such as corporate law, banking and private clients. The broad expertise of individual members also enables us to keep our advisory teams lean and effective.

The strong academic ties of our attorneys and networking with all major stakeholders in the Swiss tax community assure access to the latest trends and developments in tax law. Over decades of thorough and fair negotiations, we have gained an excellent reputation as trustworthy attorneys with governmental authorities.

Our work includes:

  • M&A, restructurings and buyouts, relocations to and from Switzerland

  • Estate and tax planning for high net worth individuals, artists and sportsmen

  • Social security and pension plan

  • Financing

  • Tax planning for executives and transferees at international companies

  • Property (acquisition, development and disposal)

  • Private equity funds

  • Value added tax, customs duties

  • (Structured) financial products and derivatives

  • Employee share and stock option plans

  • Tax litigation, arbitration, mutual agreement procedures and exchange of information