Finland

Alder & Sound is a boutique tax and transfer pricing firm. It offers legal, transfer pricing, tax, and financial advisory services to a variety of clients, including multinationals, SMEs, and small companies. It operates with a network of trusted foreign firms to offer an extensive range of expertise. Suvi Vänskä and Petteri Rapo are its senior partners.

The firm provided tax due diligence to Kamic Group, in the acquisition of Finelcomp. It also advised the Nokian Tyres group on corporate taxation assignments.

During the research period, senior associates Anna Tallqvist-Rantanen, Lotta Kallio, Mikael Kontro, Katja Rajala and Salla Eskola joined the practice.

Client feedback

“Leading TP service provider in Finland and in neighbouring countries. Great service attitude and prompt in their actions.”

“Good service attitude, good global network. They understand our business.”

“Knowledgeable about M&A and Finnish tax laws.”

“Number one in Finland in TP services.”

“Straightforward, pragmatic, clear, good understanding of the underlying business realities, solutions that also work in practice.”

Joining the tax market in early 2019, Avance has quickly become an established player. The firm provides transactional services, general corporate tax advisory and has a tax resolution team. The practice is fully integrated with the dispute resolution team for tax litigation. Partner Sebastian Kellas is the senior firm contact, alongside senior advisor Antti Leppänen.

Recent activity involved tax structuring for a medical services property portfolio. It also advised on a lucrative all-stock transaction for an online ordering platform.

Client feedback

“Responsiveness, high quality, availability.”

Bird & Bird Finland has a tax team capable of providing an array of business tax advice focused on international taxation and M&A taxation. The team is led by partner Ville Alahuhta, who advises on international and domestic taxation for corporations and individuals.

The firm was legal counsel for Finnish residential property investor Asuntosalkku, pertaining to its group restructuring and listing on First North Finland. It also acted for Fortum Holding in the sale of its e-mobility business, Plugsurfing to Fleetcor UK Acquisition.

Senior counsel Sami Tuominen departed to Merilampi Attorneys during the research period.

Borenius is the Finnish member of the Taxand network. The department covers indirect tax, M&A, private client and transfer pricing. The department is currently one of the leaders in both tax and transfer pricing dispute matters. Senior partners are Einari Karhu and Heikki Wahlroos, complemented by associates.

The team provided tax structuring mandates for the healthcare sector. Transfer pricing guidance was given to the technology sector on intragroup financing.

Castrén & Snellman is a full-service law firm. In Finland, it is involved in the leading M&A cases and covers indirect taxes and tax disputes. The team is led by partner Sari Laaksonen, who is a well-known tax expert in the Finnish tax litigation market. Fellow litigator Mikko Alakare is a disputes practitioner.

The practice advised Litorina Capital, a Swedish private equity house, in the merger of two Nordic recreational chains, Leo’s Lekland and HopLop. It also advised Vattenfall on the tax implications of an offshore wind farm.

Senior counsel Vesa Rasinaho arrived during the research period, with senior associate Emmi Karvinen also joining in March 2023.

Deloitte offers a full spectrum of tax services, including corporate tax, M&A taxation, indirect taxes, and transfer pricing. The team is led by managing director Virpi Pasanen, who specialises in both tax and transfer pricing. The head of indirect tax is partner Johanna Oksa, and the corporate tax service is led by director Salla Holma.

Recent case highlights include corporate income tax guidance relating to hybrid mismatch rules for an insurance company. It also designed a joint venture structure for an energy client.

Partner Titta Joki-Korpela joined the practice, alongside senior managers Jarna Pukkila and Mari Alho.

Dittmar & Indrenius focuses on transactional tax advice, tax litigation, and sophisticated tax advisory work. The M&A tax work includes structuring and tax optimisation of transactions, financial transactions, investment funds and incentive schemes. Prestigious clients are derived from investors, banks, multinationals and private equity houses. The team currently consists of seven practitioners and is led by partner Kai Holkeri.

The firm devised a complex litigation strategy for a banking client in a lucrative dispute. It also restructured a series of real estate subsidiaries for a Nordic homeware supplier.

Counsel Ritva Aalto departed the firm in July 2023.

Client feedback

“Small practice but experienced individuals.”

DLA Piper Finland specialises in M&A related tax matters and corporate income taxation. The firm is a market leader in W&I insurance assignments. Cross-border VAT mandates are enhanced by the firm’s global function to provide counsel to clients. Specialist sectors are insurance, energy, financial services, and consumer goods. Partner and M&A specialist Antti Paloniemi heads the tax practice.

The firm advised a client in the issuance of W&I insurance, incorporating documentation evaluation and underwriter interviews. It also provided a permanent establishment risk analysis for a logistics firm.

Senior associate Antti Pietinen joined the practice in August 2023.

Hannes Snellman focuses its practice on supplying high-end dispute support and M&A transaction advice to its clients. The firm also has strong capabilities within indirect taxation, private client taxation and investment structures. It is led by partner Heikki Vesikansa. Partner Piia Ahonen is joined by counsel Joakim Frände.

Recent highlights include advice on a divestment in the FMCG sector. It also acted for a sperate cryptocurrency brokerage client.

Senior associate Anton Falkenberg arrived from Alder & Sound during the research period. Outgoing senior associate Matleena Pälve departed in the same space.

Client feedback

“Experience firm with capable individuals.”

“Highly professional approach and in-depth knowledge on tax legislation (including case law).”

“Expert in the field of Finnish taxation but with a good knowledge of key issues in UK taxation and a strong understanding of trusts.”

“They are really professional and proactive as well as work fast.”

Partners Antti Lehtimaja and Marko Vuori lead the team at Finnish law firm Krogerus. It is known for private equity and real estate transactions, with complementary fund formation expertise. Prestigious clients derive from insurance, financial services, consultancy and renewable energy firms.

The firm assisted a private equity group in a cross-border restructuring, incorporating tax efficiency guidance for carried interest payments. It also completed a carveout structure for a sustainable energy provider.

Senior associate Vilma Piipponen departed to Roschier during the research period.

Merilampi Attorneys tax practice was established in November 2022 when partner Sami Tuominen joined from Bird & Bird Attorneys. Counsels Sara Walden and Jussi Koivu are specialists in employment and transactions law with combined private wealth expertise. VAT, inheritance tax, transfer pricing and personal taxation are offered to assorted clients.

The firm advised Finnish real estate investors on a real estate company acquisition, including post-acquisition leasing dimensions. It also guided Certa Insurance Partners on insured transaction risk.

Client feedback

“Excellent professional approach.”

“Prompt, responsive, solution oriented.”

Roschier is a leading transaction-orientated law firm in Finland. The tax team is brought in to advise on all aspects of transactions, including structuring, indirect taxes and transfer pricing. It is also known for its involvement in tax disputes and audits. It is led by Mika Ohtonen, who is focused on tax cross-border transactions. The team also includes partner Ossi Haapaniemi.

The firm advised private equity firm Inflexion in an acquisition agreement to purchase a majority stake in Nomentia. It also guided Stockmann, in the sale of its department store, featuring a long leaseback agreement.

Client feedback

“They have a very strong team seasoned by a stellar client base. Practice heads Mika Ohtonen and Ossi Haapaniemi are very capable tax practitioners.”

“Strong and knowledgeable team.”

“One of the leading tax groups in the Finnish market.”

“Roschier has a big tax practice. Their tax lawyers are very experienced.”

“Extensive knowledge of tax laws in Finland. They provide very solid advice and can adapt to the situation of the company.”

“Highly experienced in tax dispute resolution, excellent results.”

“Working with the Roschier team is amazing! Solid and practical advice with speed. Amazing responsiveness and practical approach.”

“Very knowledgeable and professional, great content knowledge, proactive and innovative with solutions.”

“Superb quality, clear advice, availability and responsiveness.”

Waselius & Wist focuses its tax practice on high-end tax work, entailing transactions, business structuring, taxation of financial instruments and tax litigation. The firm’s tax department is led by managing partner Niklas Thibblin, who specialises in tax structuring.

The firm advised Niam on fund restructuring to mitigate regulatory risk. It also assisted several T Rowe Price funds in successfully reclaiming withholding taxes.

Partner Jouni Weckström departed to self-employment as founder of Weckström Attorneys in January 2023.

Client feedback

“Well assembled expertise in the team.”

“Intelligent approach. Always do their best. Stubborn attitude.”

“To-the-point and client useful information also in complex matters.”