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Vladimir Kotenko is very highly regarded by his contemporaries for his ability in several areas of tax and heads Ernst & Young's tax practice in Ukraine. His peers single him out for his skills in corporate tax, M&A, capital markets and indirect tax. ... [more]

Vladimir Kotenko is very highly regarded by his contemporaries for his ability in several areas of tax and heads Ernst & Young's tax practice in Ukraine. His peers single him out for his skills in corporate tax, M&A, capital markets and indirect tax. The firm's tax team has expanded this year with the addition of 12 fee earners. Most of the new personnel have been recruited into corporate and M&A tax services as these represent areas of growth for the firm. The firm's M&A service has been particularly busy this year despite difficult market conditions. The firm is well equipped to handle both inbound and outbound investment because of the team's cross-border structuring expertise and Ernst & Young's international network. The firm has both Ukrainian and multinational companies as clients most of which are in the oil and gas, manufacturing and financial services industries. The firm also highlights its close connection to the tax authorities in the region as one of the team's partners was elected as chairman of the tax committee of the European Business Association in Ukraine for the seventh consecutive year.

PwC's Ukrainian tax team is led by Ron Barden and has several well regarded practitioners. Svetlana Bilyk is noted by rivals for her ability in corporate tax matters. One contemporary said: "We have some mutual clients and they have all been impressed ... [more]

PwC's Ukrainian tax team is led by Ron Barden and has several well regarded practitioners. Svetlana Bilyk is noted by rivals for her ability in corporate tax matters. One contemporary said: "We have some mutual clients and they have all been impressed by her corporate tax work. I have worked alongside her many times and I can commend her approach, she is well respected in the market." The firm offers clients a full range of tax services, though cross -border structuring is a strong area for the practice.

This year the team advised a Ukrainian industrial company on its issue of Eurobonds, focusing on the optimal structure for the allocation of funds from the issue. An analysis of the group's Dutch entity was also performed to ascertain the implications of the bond issue on the group's transfer pricing affairs. This kind of work exemplifies the firm's ability in capital markets and financial products, for which Barden has a good reputation among his contemporaries.

The tax team also advised a multinational company on restructuring its Ukrainian operations to minimise tax risks. A key concern was ensuring that it was possible for the company to withdraw profits from the country in a tax efficient manner. Such cross-border structuring matters highlight another area where the firm is well regarded, as Slava Vlasov receives her contemporaries' praise for her creativity and ability in that practice area.

Hennadiy Voytsitskyi, who peers recommend for capital markets and financial products, is the leader and sole partner of the tax department of Baker & McKenzie in Ukraine which is completed by six associates. Though capable in all areas of tax, the practice ... [more]

Hennadiy Voytsitskyi, who peers recommend for capital markets and financial products, is the leader and sole partner of the tax department of Baker & McKenzie in Ukraine which is completed by six associates. Though capable in all areas of tax, the practice is especially skilled in tax controversy matters. This year Yuriy Zaluskyy has been representing a fibre optics company in a dispute with the tax authorities over the assessment of back taxes and associated penalties. The matter has yet to be resolved, but the firm commented that this was just one example of several tax controversy matters the team has dealt with recently. The firm also has substantial knowledge of VAT, indirect tax and customs matters. The firm comments that this is pertinent not only to transactional matters, but also disputes with the state tax administration. The tax authorities are said to have increased their focus on VAT this year after changes to the tax code and so the firm expects its VAT expertise to be significant in the coming year. Cross-border structuring is another strong point for the tax team at the firm and this is reflected in the international nature of its clients. Technology company Emerson, steel producer ArcelorMittal, private banking group Kaiser Ritter and pharmaceutical company PAREXEL International all rely on the firm for tax matters in Ukraine.

Deloitte's tax practice in Ukraine provides clients with a full range of tax services under department head Grigory Pavlotsky. The firm this year assisted mining and steel company Metinvest in developing and implementing a new global tax accounting framework ... [more]

Deloitte's tax practice in Ukraine provides clients with a full range of tax services under department head Grigory Pavlotsky. The firm this year assisted mining and steel company Metinvest in developing and implementing a new global tax accounting framework to streamline tax policy and documentation across the group's companies. There were particular challenges in doing so in Ukraine due to the new tax code, requiring the team involved to ensure that the new processes were consistent with the new regulations. The firm has also been active in M&A tax work and this year advised on the tax implications of the merger between mobile operator Vimpelcom and internet provider Kyivstar. The transaction was complicated by the complex structure of the groups of each company. The merger had to be conducted in a downstream manner, which is not catered for in Ukrainian legislation. The team from Deloitte therefore had to consult with the tax authorities throughout to ensure the merger was compliant from a tax standpoint. The firm's ability in structuring and international tax has ensured that clients such as the Bank of Cyprus and household appliances and electronics company Comfy-Trade rely on its team for tax advice.

Tax controversy is a mainstay for the team at KM Partners which is led by Alexander Minin, who is recognised by several of his peers for his comprehensive ability in tax controversy and litigation. One rival said: "He is the leading litigator in Ukraine ... [more]

Tax controversy is a mainstay for the team at KM Partners which is led by Alexander Minin, who is recognised by several of his peers for his comprehensive ability in tax controversy and litigation. One rival said: "He is the leading litigator in Ukraine when it comes to tax and is widely known for his skill." This reputation ensures that the firm attracts clients such as Kraft Foods, LG Electronics, energy company AES, Phillip Morris and Procter & Gamble who have all sought the firm's advice for their tax matters. The firm also conducts corporate support work, cross-border structuring and restructuring matters. The international capacity of the firm is furthered by its membership of the WTS Alliance, the international network of independent tax advisory firms in 90 countries. This enables the firm to conduct work for inbound investors in Ukraine and can refer to tax advisers in most jurisdictions for outbound investors.

Konnov & Sozanovsky's tax department is led by Yevgeniya Derbal and advises clients such as Canon, Microsoft, Unilever Ukraine and Tupperware. The firm has an especially good reputation for tax work in the media and entertainment sector and was this ... [more]

Konnov & Sozanovsky's tax department is led by Yevgeniya Derbal and advises clients such as Canon, Microsoft, Unilever Ukraine and Tupperware. The firm has an especially good reputation for tax work in the media and entertainment sector and was this year recognised as the media & entertainment tax team of the year at the International Tax Review's European Tax Awards. As part of the international network of independent law firms, First Law International, the firm also offers access to international tax advice. Recent highlights for the practice include advising agricultural company Agro-Soyuz on private equity firm Horizon Capital's $40 million investment. A team led by Derbal and her fellow partner Helen Yaremchuk dealt with all aspects of the transaction for the company including the tax implications . The firm covers all areas of tax for clients, though has particular ability in M&A, structuring and tax controversy.

Craig Richardson joined KPMG in December 2010 from the Moscow office of another big-four firm as the new head of the tax practice. The new man signalled his intent shortly afterwards by speaking of his plans to significantly expand the department. "We ... [more]

Craig Richardson joined KPMG in December 2010 from the Moscow office of another big-four firm as the new head of the tax practice. The new man signalled his intent shortly afterwards by speaking of his plans to significantly expand the department. "We will be doubling our team this year, and I see huge opportunities ahead," he said. Sergey Popov is an especially notable member of the firm's tax department as he is identified as aleading practitioner by his competitors and is said to be highly capable in several areas of tax. Peers recommend him for corporate tax, M&A, cross-border structuring, transfer pricing and capital markets matters. KPMG offers its clients a full range of tax services including transfer pricing advice.

The focus for Magisters-Taxand over the past 12 months has been on tax disputes as the downturn in the Ukranian market resulted in fewer M&A deals and less tax advisory work. Vladimir Didenko, the head of the tax department, has coordinated close collaboration ... [more]

The focus for Magisters-Taxand over the past 12 months has been on tax disputes as the downturn in the Ukranian market resulted in fewer M&A deals and less tax advisory work. Vladimir Didenko, the head of the tax department, has coordinated close collaboration with the firm's respected litigation department to lend his extensive knowledge of transfer pricing and indirect tax to client's contentious matters. Indirect tax was central to client Echostar appeal against VAT charges related to an offshore software development company. Points of dispute related to the tax treatment of both particular software developments and taxation of the transfer of intellectual property rights. Magisters also successfully secured the reversal of a decision against software company Sun Microsystems in relation to tax charges under double tax treaties without the need to go to an appeal hearing. Unusually, the same authority who initiated the charge subsequently cancelled the assessment after Magisters submitted the appeal. The firm's focus on litigation may serve them well as Ukrainian practitioners expect the tax authorities to remain aggressive in the coming year.

In July 2011, Magisters announced it would merge with Russian practice Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners, which will be the name of the new firm, to create the largest law firm in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Dmytro Ivanusa joined as head of Sayenko Kharenko's tax department in May 2011 and leads a team which consists of two partners and four other fee earners. The firm's clients include private equity firms such as Abris Capital, insurance company Fortis ... [more]

Dmytro Ivanusa joined as head of Sayenko Kharenko's tax department in May 2011 and leads a team which consists of two partners and four other fee earners. The firm's clients include private equity firms such as Abris Capital, insurance company Fortis (now rebranded as Ageas) and money transfer company Western Union. The firm's recent work has been characterised by tax structuring and planning advice. Counsel Dmytro Korbut advised Russian rail operator JSC Freight One on tax planning with regard to its expansion into Ukraine. This involved developing the structure of the group to mitigate the application of corporate profit tax rules to the group's branch company in Ukraine. This required ensuring that the relationship between the Ukrainian subsidiary and the Russian holding company was an agent-principal one since this takes the company's affairs beyond the remit of Ukrainian tax legislation. The firm also advised both Western Union and brewing group Sun InBev on obtaining available benefits under double taxation treaties and on their relationship with the tax authorities. In both instances, the firm also advised the groups on their tax structuring to ensure the most beneficial treatment possible was obtained.

Ulysses formed last year after Oleh Marchenko left Magisters to form his own practice and brought a number of his colleagues with him. Marchenko is highly regarded by his peers for his ability in both M&A and corporate tax matters and these areas represent ... [more]

Ulysses formed last year after Oleh Marchenko left Magisters to form his own practice and brought a number of his colleagues with him. Marchenko is highly regarded by his peers for his ability in both M&A and corporate tax matters and these areas represent significant sources of work for the firm. Cross-border structuring and tax planning are also strengths of the practice and both were important in a recent matter completed for Teva Pharmaceuticals. After the acquisition of German pharmaceutical company ratiopharm, Ulysses advised Teva on the integration of the companies' Ukrainian businesses. The structure used in the integration of the merged entity into the group was crucial to ensure beneficial tax treatment and the team involved had to consider issues relation to intellectual property, corporation tax and VAT throughout. The firm's clients include major Ukrainian companies and multinationals such as Microsoft.

Svetlana Musienko is the sole partner and head of DLA Piper's tax practice. The firm has bolstered its practice this year with the addition of two new associates, bringing the total number of fee earners in the department to five. All members of the ... [more]

Svetlana Musienko is the sole partner and head of DLA Piper's tax practice. The firm has bolstered its practice this year with the addition of two new associates, bringing the total number of fee earners in the department to five. All members of the team are capable in both transfer pricing and indirect tax and three also deal with international tax issues. The firm also conducts corporate support work and restructuring matters. A recent restructuring highlight for the firm was the reorganisation of an Ukranian company's operations by merging two of its brewery groups. The team had regard to VAT, corporate tax and tax compliance issues throughout and was able to ensure that the merger did not create any additional tax liability and minimised the group's tax exposure in the process. The team sought and obtained several rulings from the tax authorities to ensure compliance throughout. Clients praise the tax team for its commercial awareness and ability to deliver results quickly. One company's financial officer said, "This team is an excellent choice for tax law advice in Ukraine. They are highly professional, fast-moving and responsive. When offering the solutions they always take into account the commercial aspects of our business."

Lavrynovych and Partners Law Firm is new to the World Tax rankings for 2012. The firm has been recognised by competitors as having improved in recent years. Clients of the firm include multinational companies such as Danone, agricultural group Mriya ... [more]

Lavrynovych and Partners Law Firm is new to the World Tax rankings for 2012. The firm has been recognised by competitors as having improved in recent years. Clients of the firm include multinational companies such as Danone, agricultural group Mriya Agro and engineering group Energoterra. The team has previously provided advice to the national tax authorities on drafting new legislation. Iryna Marushko leads the department and is noted for her litigation work. This year she oversaw ArcelorMittal Kryviy's appeal against the tax authorities for levying VAT, certain corporate tax charges and natural resources taxation, the result of which was still pending at the time of going to press. The firm also completed work for financial sector company Ukrainian Securities Depository this year which involved a new method for the assessment of VAT and corporation tax arising from securitisation transactions.

Olena Tkachenko is the head of PARITET's tax group. As well as corporate support work, the firm also conducts tax structuring and planning work for clients. Tkachenko recently advised technology company SoftInform on its tax affairs under the new Ukrainian ... [more]

Olena Tkachenko is the head of PARITET's tax group. As well as corporate support work, the firm also conducts tax structuring and planning work for clients. Tkachenko recently advised technology company SoftInform on its tax affairs under the new Ukrainian tax code, advising the company on the optimal structures to use from a tax perspective. Cross-border issues were a factor in work done for a Danish internet trading company seeking to establish operations in Ukraine. Tax laws do not cater for web trading in the Ukraine, especially where financial products are concerned. The firm had to conduct a thorough analysis of the issues involved and consult with the tax authorities to ensure compliance for the client.

Though Salans' Ukrainian tax team is small, comprising just two associates and department head Igor Davidenko, the team has a good reputation in corporate support work, tax controversy and VAT. The firm's clients are testament to its ability and includes ... [more]

Though Salans' Ukrainian tax team is small, comprising just two associates and department head Igor Davidenko, the team has a good reputation in corporate support work, tax controversy and VAT. The firm's clients are testament to its ability and includes the hotel chain groups Marriott and Hilton as well as nutrition company Herbalife. The firm recently advised a multinational fashion brand on how to best structure their Ukrainian operations for tax purposes, which was also the central issue in work the firm completed for two groups in the real estate sector. Davidenko commented that the firm had seen a rise in demand from clients for advice in tax controversy. The most notable litigious matter the firm has been involved in recently was its representation of a multinational wholesale agricultural producer in its efforts to obtain a $7.5 million VAT refund from the Ukrainian authorities . VAT controversy is expected to remain an area of high demand from clients in the coming year due to the legislative uncertainty resulting from the new tax code.

Vasil Kisil & Partners has a tax team jointly led by Denis Lysenko and Oleksiy Filatov. The firm has been particularly active in tax controversy recently and Andrey Stelmashchuk is identified for his strength as a tax litigator by competitors. The firm ... [more]

Vasil Kisil & Partners has a tax team jointly led by Denis Lysenko and Oleksiy Filatov. The firm has been particularly active in tax controversy recently and Andrey Stelmashchuk is identified for his strength as a tax litigator by competitors. The firm this year represented a multinational steel and commodities trader in several disputes with the Ukrainian tax authorities. The VAT and corporate tax charges on the group's operations in Ukraine and the application of the non-discrimination provisions in the double taxation avoidance treaty with the US were the key issues in the dispute. The firm also successfully represented a Ukrainian pharmaceutical company disputing import and customs charges levied by the customs authorities. The customs authorities appealed the decision, but the appeal court ruled in favour of the tax payer.