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Salans' tax practice is led by Petr Kotab who is mentioned by his peers as a leading professional in corporate tax. The practice is particularly strong in providing tax advice in M&A, real estate, banking and corporate matters.The practice advised a ... [more]

Salans' tax practice is led by Petr Kotab who is mentioned by his peers as a leading professional in corporate tax. The practice is particularly strong in providing tax advice in M&A, real estate, banking and corporate matters.

The practice advised a property group on the tax implications of a reorganisation, which involved several jurisdictions and the creation of structure of real estate development companies under the umbrella of a single holding company. The company also advised on the simplification of the group's debt structure without triggering any tax consequences.

Other work this year includes advising the leasing division of a financial services company on a real estate transaction involving three jurisdictions, and advising a Luxembourg investment company on its entry into the Czech market.

The tax team at Salans is led by Karina Furga-Dabrowska, who specialises in M&A and structuring advice. As well as Warsaw, the tax department also has advisers in the south of Poland because of its association with Krupa Srokosz Patryas in Katowice. ... [more]

The tax team at Salans is led by Karina Furga-Dabrowska, who specialises in M&A and structuring advice. As well as Warsaw, the tax department also has advisers in the south of Poland because of its association with Krupa Srokosz Patryas in Katowice. The firm has advised on more real-estate transactions after a number of advisers in this area moved to the firm from Clifford Chance. Salans has been involved in some notable transactions this year. The work done for the Sopot City Authority to devise a structure for a public/private partnership to redevelop the city centre is one example. This had to facilitate tax treatment that would attract private investors, but ensure transparent compliance with regulations because of the city authority's involvement. No specific rulings or legislative provisions exist to cover such a public/private joint venture which meant the firm had to liaise closely with authorities to ensure the structures were wholly compliant with regulations. Cezary Przygodzki advised Schweitzer-Mauduit International alongside Furga-Dabrowska on establishing a production facility in one of Poland's SEZs. This required substantial negotiations with the Polish Ministry of Finance since this was the first instance where an investor made use of terms and conditions provided for a previous SEZ investor. Salans paid particular attention paid to the methodology of revenue and cost allocation in the SEZ to ensure tax efficiency. The firm is noted for its innovative approach and holds regular webcam conferences with clients to keep them up-to-date on tax developments in Poland.

Alexei Panich is the only partner in Salans' Russian tax practice after Evgeny Timofeev left to join Goltsblat BLP in July 2011. The firm conducts work across a range of tax issues, though Boris Bruk is commended by contemporaries for his cross-border ... [more]

Alexei Panich is the only partner in Salans' Russian tax practice after Evgeny Timofeev left to join Goltsblat BLP in July 2011. The firm conducts work across a range of tax issues, though Boris Bruk is commended by contemporaries for his cross-border structuring capabilities. Salans advised one of Europe's largest retail chains on the tax treatment of a real estate construction project. Particular challenges emerged in relation to disproportionate division of space in the project in relation to the amount of investment by the different parties. This necessitated implementation of an innovative structure to ensure that the full amount of investment was tax deductible for each party involved. The firm has also been active in litigation, representing a European cement producer that sought to use specific regional tax benefits. Though the tax authorities had initially argued that the benefit should not be available to the company, Timofeev and Dzhangar Dzhalchinov, counsel, succeeded in reversing the decision and obtained the benefit 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.