Belgium

AKD Belgium is a full-service law firm with repute in cross-border tax advice complemented by a worldwide Friends Network. As exponents of Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg law, the practice advises on international M&As, litigation, energy transition, and data privacy. The head of department is partner Werner Heyvaert.

Recent activity involved litigation before the Antwerp Court of First Instance pertaining to permanent establishment. It also advised a multinational on Benelux joint venture re-domiciliation.

Arteo Law is a Brussels-based independent boutique law firm founded in 2020. It focuses on three delineated practice areas pertaining to tax litigation, wealth and estate planning, and Supreme Court disputes. Transactional M&A is a recurrent mandate for cross-border cases. As a member of Taxand, the firm has coverage spanning multiple jurisdictions. Key contacts are partners Daniel Garabedian, Steven Peeters and Stéphane Wilmet.

Assorted highlights included a dividend withholding taxation appeal on redistribution. It also represented a multinational in a separate audit, related to intra-group financing.

During the research period, transactions tax director Emilie Maes was appointed partner from rival EY.

Client feedback

“Fantastic team. Excellent business partner. Full understanding of client’s need. Thorough fact-finding before delivering tax advice (pragmatic approach). Top tax advice - Best in class. Extremely clear memos.”

“Well-established team (although the firm has been recently created) and very good knowledge of the market position and very good capabilities to discuss with the local tax administration.”

“Top tax advice. Understanding clients’ needs. Very didactic.”

“Arteo is a tax expert with an impressive and precise knowledge of all Belgian tax aspects.”

The Belgian practice has a focus on multinational restructuring mandates. VAT, private equity, and corporate finance are complementary service lines. Customs is a growing function across the Benelux region and internationally. Head of the Brussels tax practice is partner Géry Bombeke. Controversy specialist Alain Huyghe works alongside Luc Meeus in the tax and corporate financing group.

Assorted highlights included advice to Amazon on structuring pertaining to earn-out provisions. It also advised Fortino Capital Partners on a B2B private equity transaction in the software industry.

Partner Lionel Van Reet joined the practice from PwC during the research period.

Client feedback

“Quick feedback, commitment, professional advice.”

“Knowhow; collaborative spirit; level of detail.”

“In-depth theoretical and practical experience available.”

“Very professional, quick and flexible.”

Clifford Chance Belgium is reputed in real estate transactions. Pension funds, insurance companies, and investment funds and have recourse to the practice for structuring and litigation services. Prestigious state aid and M&A capacity complement the firm’s multifaceted service suite. Partner Alexandre Ooms is the key senior practitioner with a pedigree in fund structuring taxation.

Clifford Chance advised AXA Belgium on the transfer of a closed book of life insurances. It also advised a French real estate developer on a majority acquisition stake in Maison Baijot.

Client feedback

“Responsiveness, international network.”

Deloitte Belgium is the Belgian affiliate of Deloitte NSE. The team has coveted expertise in all advisory facets for domestic and international clients. Multidisciplinary collaboration offers product lines in corporate tax, HNWIs, tax controversy and indirect VAT. Danny Stas is the managing partner. Partners Michael Van Gils and Patrick Cauwenbergh are complemented by customs specialist Daan De Vlieger and fellow partner Emmanuel Brehmen.

Recent activity involved cross-border restructuring for a Belgian real estate company with subsidiaries in the Benelux region. It also represented a tobacco firm in a criminal investigation against the Belgian customs authorities.

Partner Jurgen Coessens joined the practice during the research period.

Client feedback

“Qualified and experienced team with reactive partner in charge.”

“Deloitte was very pragmatic in their approach and listening to customer needs.”

“They are thinking 'out of the box' and offer innovative solutions starting from their excellent knowledge and experience of international structures. They look at the greater picture.”

“Cooperative advisory based on good client knowledge, quality.”

DLA Piper Belgium is a diversified tax practice renowned for its versatility in transfer pricing, holding structures, double taxation advice and litigation. Employment and corporate mandates are aligned with shipping, logistics, real estate, and the life sciences. Key practitioners are partner Philippe Hinnekens, M&A specialist Nicolas Engelmann and lawyer Alexander Bostoen.

Recent highlights included advice to Cardinia Europe in connection with real estate lease restructuring. It also guided ALD in relation to the acquisition of LeasePlan Group, inclusive of post-purchase reorganisation.

Partner Nicolas Engelmann arrived from Deloitte during the research period.

Client feedback

“Knowledgeable and approachable.”

“Accurate knowledge of insurance business. Quick reactivity and pragmatic approach.”

Eubelius is renowned for its blended advisory suite, which combines M&A and real estate with enforcement controversy. Although clients are traditionally derived from Belgian midmarket companies, custom demand comes from international real estate developers. Key contacts are partners Wouter Claes, Svjatoslav Gnedasj and Korneel Decroix.

The firm represented three major real estate project developers in multiple VAT litigation cases pertaining to share deals. It also assisted Bpost in litigation with the local authorities in relation to advertising distribution.

Client feedback

“Excellent professional knowledge and client-centric.”

“Precise, responsive and providing comfort they understand the process.”

“Excellent preparation, professionalism, good feedback.”

“Eubelius is very hands-on, down to earth and pragmatic and furthermore offer top-notch advice in their field.”

“Very high level of dossier knowledge, combined with encyclopaedic knowledge of case law and doctrine.”

“An extremely detailed and comprehensive knowledge both of the tax technical framework and the tax disputes and case law, combined with extensive experience in creating the right framework to come to a settlement with the tax authorities. Very high partner involvement. Full knowledge of all aspects of the file.”

“Are experts in settlement of disputes with tax authorities, focus strongly in trying to reach an agreement with the tax authorities before starting court procedures, try to find alternative approaches to dispute settlement to the clients benefit (cost saving), strong communicators, share info and knowledge.”

EY Belgium offers a full complement of tax and transfer pricing provisions. Services encompass compliance, controversy, transactions, transfer pricing and digital analytics. The practice has strong industry segment focus in private equity, real estate, and telecommunications industries. Partners Jan Bode and transfer pricing specialist Kurt Van der Voorde are reputed practitioners.

The firm developed an innovative transfer pricing policy for intercompany transactions in the telecommunications sector. It also provided benchmarking for a cryptocurrency client.

Client feedback

“Global network, highly skilled and experienced team, TP planning.”

“Coming up with business-oriented practical solutions / responsiveness / technical expertise / availability.”

Fieldfisher Belgium covers both direct and indirect taxation, relating to corporate income taxation, transfer pricing, VAT, registration duties and litigation. Beneficial ownership and value-chain optimisation for IP transactions are practice strengths. Partner Geoffroy Galéa is a renowned structuring specialist, alongside indirect counsel Lionel Wellekens.

The firm advised Hartwood on the Belgian dimension of the sale of AFD.Tech to Accenture France. It also provided a social care provider with due diligence on a large real estate transaction.

Counsel Olivier Van Herstraeten arrived during the research period.

Client feedback

“Very responsive and sympathetic. High quality of work.”

“Massive expertise and willingness to help.”

Grant Thornton Belgium provides indirect and direct tax through to transfer pricing and international mobility tax. Clients are also provided with M&A assistance pertaining to accounting advice. Office locations are situated in Brussels, Antwerp and Jumet. Partner Frederik De Graeve is assisted by fellow partners Nadia Clinckspoor, Rolf Declerck, VAT specialist Lode Agache, and head of transfer pricing Leslie Van den Branden.

Recent highlights included VAT deductibility advice to a Belgian waste disposal provider and a HNWI family relocation.

Senior manager Joke Persoons joined the practice from Deloitte during the research period.

The tax department at Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick offers the full spectrum of tax services across transactional tax, together with dispute resolution and litigation. The firm’s multidisciplinary approach combines expertise before the Supreme Court with regular mandates from international multinationals and HNWIs. Corporate restructuring and executive incentive plans are notable strengths. Key individuals are partners Lievin De Wulf and Pierre Desenfans.

Assorted highlights included litigation with the French tax authorities on a bilateral treaty. It also advised a multinational on a remediation agreement.

Loyens & Loeff is a full-service law firm encompassing the full spectrum of service lines. Transactional focus involves M&A, financing and real estate dimensions across the Benelux region with cross-border dimensions. Partner Nicolas Lippens works alongside wealth structuring practitioner Nicolas Bertrand and indirect head Bert Gevers. Counsel Linda Brosens is a member of the international tax services group.

Recent case highlights included assistance to Euroclear on intra-group investment transference. It also obtained a novel alternative investment fund ruling for investment firm Candriam.

Senior associate Laurine Vanherck departed to Tiberghien during the research period.

Stibbe is an integrated taxation practice with a full-service suite across the Benelux region, with a special focus on transactional tax, real estate tax, financial services tax, and litigation. Head of department Wim Panis is a leading VAT specialist, supported by renowned litigator Henk Verstraete and private equity counsel Giovanni Smet.

The team advised Picanol in the simplified integration of two Belgian listed companies. Stibbe also assisted Conny Vandendriessche in a decorated transaction on tax efficient structuring in a €3 billion deal.