Press Room

In Kenya, tax exemption is provided for in Articles 210 (1) and (2) of the constitution. However in practice, the procedures on application, processing and approval for tax exemption are provided for in specific tax laws and legislations. This has made it complex for the national government to monitor and complete regular reviews on the approvals. This has led to unregulated issuance of exemptions which is against the public good.

Andersen Global today announced a collaboration agreement with Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații, a law firm with offices in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca and its tax arm, Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații Tax. This is the first collaboration agreement in Romania, and continues Andersen Global’s expansion in Eastern Europe.  

The Chambers & Partners legal directory has highlighted Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain and Andersen Tax & Legal in Portugal, member firms of Andersen Global, and their various Partners, as recommended firms and individuals in the Chambers Europe 2019 guide. They were recognized in the areas of Dispute Resolution, Corporate/M&A, Employment and Tax.

Similar to many jurisdictions around the world, Egypt has adopted alternative dispute resolution methods, diverging from the more traditional method of litigation. More specifically, it has incorporated arbitration into its legal system through Law No. 27 of 1994 on Arbitration in Civil and Commercial Matters. This law, modelled after the UNICTRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, governs any arbitration proceedings following substantive Egyptian law.

The Luxembourg Parliament voted the law in order to implement the Anti Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD - EU Directive 2016/1164) which came into force on January 1, 2019. The law suggests a post-BEPS tax environment while maintaining an interesting and flexible hub for international tax structures. Existing structures with Luxembourg involvement should be reviewed.

Since the beginning of 2019, a new law in Germany for tenants was enacted that provides stricter regulations on rent increases in regards to apartment modernizations by the landlord. Although this law protects and favors the tenant, there are however still scenarios and rules in which rent increase is possible by the landlord.  

The legal directory Chambers & Partners highlighted Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain as a recommended firm in the areas of Dispute Resolution and Corporate/M&A in the new edition of the Chambers Global 2019. Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain is a member firm of Andersen Global. 

Andersen Tax & Legal has appointed Carlos Salinas as Managing Partner of the Barcelona office. Carlos Salinas takes over from Toni Prat, who will take on new international challenges for the firm and at the same time continue to manage the Tax Department of the Barcelona office. With this appointment, Carlos Salinas will assume management functions in Barcelona and will continue to head the Mercantile Department.

According to a recently published report in Forbes magazine, Germany will continue to be – along with Greece, Cyprus and Malta – one of the hottest property markets in Europe in 2019. Although the upward trend has been continuing for more than 10 years, Germany is still regarded as a safe haven and therefore an attractive market for real estate investments. 

Andersen Global announces the appointment of Maricla Pennesi as the European Tax Coordinator. Additionally, Maricla is the new Head of Tax at Andersen Tax & Legal in Italy and, together with the new Partner Giovanni Gallucci, will strengthen the international tax practices in the firm.

The Finance Act 2018 brought an amendment to the Income Tax Act which introduced a tax on distribution of dividends from untaxed profits at resident corporate rate (30%). This took effect on January 1, 2019. However, this amendment has brought a lot of confusion in its interpretation on what untaxed incomes relates to.

Juan Federico Fischer, Managing Partner of Andersen Tax & Legal in Uruguay, a member firm of Andersen Global, was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Aguada Park Free Trade Zone. Aguada Park is one of Uruguay’s leading free trade zones, a strategic sector of the country’s economy, representing between 5% and 7% of Uruguay's gross domestic product (GDP) in recent years.

Cyprus is currently in the process of implementing the European Union (EU) Anti-Tax-Avoidance Directive (ATAD), which basically aims at preventing multinational companies sheltering their profits in low or no tax jurisdictions.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain welcomes José Miguel Soriano as a Partner in the Department of Procedural Law, Bankruptcy and Arbitration in the Madrid office.

Today, Andersen Global announced further expansion in India, with Nangia Advisors, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, opening new offices in Bengaluru and Pune.  Andersen Global embarked on its expansion in India less than a year ago, and now has a presence in 10 locations in the country through its collaborating firms, Vaish Associates and Nangia Advisors.

Since January 1, 2019, the provisions of the Polish Tax Ordinance Act introducing an obligation to report so-called tax schemes have been enforced. These provisions apply to all taxpayers, persons and entities providing tax or legal advisory services, for example, employees of financial institutions or notary public.

Portuguese legislation finally established a legal framework to Real Estate Investment and Management Companies (SIGI), commonly known as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Andersen Global is proud to announce a collaboration agreement with Estudio Hernández & Ugarelli, a respected legal, tax and business consulting firm based in Lima, Peru. This is the second collaboration agreement in Peru for Andersen Global. Hernández & Ugarelli is comprised of four Partners and 12 professionals. 

Francesco Marconi, a Partner at Andersen Tax & Legal in Italy, a member firm of Andersen Global, was interviewed by Bloomberg Tax. The article Italy Courts Controversy with Adoption of Digital Revenue Tax, provides information and opinions on a new digital revenue tax that Italy lawmakers recently approved as part of the country’s 2019 budget. 

The French Parliament recently approved Finance Bill for 2019. Finance Law No. 2018-1317 of December 28, 2018 for the 2019 year made certain changes to the conditions governing the reinvestment of sale proceeds, seeking other items to extend the scope of the definition of reinvestment, in order to offer more investment opportunities to company managers.

A new regime of witholding tax collection (pay and refund) may affect client cash flow, if the client receives dividends, interests, royalties or fees for intangible services from Poland. However, certain steps may be taken by a non-resident and by a Polish withholding agent to avoid the obligatory collection of the withholding tax, e.g. they may apply for a special ruling or collect the relevant documents.

Andersen Global strengthens its growing presence in Eastern Europe with the news that A2Z Tax & Legal will adopt the name Andersen Tax & Legal and will become a full member firm of the international organization. Andersen Global has a presence in nearly 20 European countries through its member firms and collaborating firms.

To prevent housing speculation in British Columbia and help turn vacant homes into rentals in the Canadian province’s overheated market, the BC provincial government in 2018 implemented the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax. 

Today, Andersen Global announced the appointment of José Vicente Morote as the European Legal Coordinator and an adjunct board member to the European Regional Board of Directors. José Vicente is a Partner at Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain and Head of the Public and Regulatory Law practice in Madrid and Valencia.

Andersen Global announced a collaboration agreement with Szabo Kelemen & Partners Attorneys, a respected law firm based in Budapest, Hungary. Hungary marks the 38th country in which Andersen Global offers legal services, expanding the international association’s growing presence in Eastern Europe. Andersen Global is now present in more than 46 countries worldwide.

The Decree of Tax Benefits for the Northern Border Region (effective during 2019 and 2020) has been issued by the Mexican Government to boost the development of the regional economy. 

Andersen Global member firm and collaborating firm Partners have been featured in the latest Who's Who Legal guide, Who’s Who Legal: Data 2019 Directory.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Ecuador is excited to announce a new Partner in the city of Quito, Luis Ricardo Ponce Calderón. Luis has over 30 years of experience in providing tax and legal services. Luis' areas of expertise include corporate tax, international tax law, double tax treaties, indirect taxes-VAT, special consumer tax, overseas remitttances tax, individual tax, global employment services, commercial law, environmental law, and labor law.

The Italian branch of the International Fiscal Association (IFA) is hosting a conference focused on the current topics of international tax law and the European Union. Andersen Tax & Legal in Italy Partner, Maricla Pennesi, will be a panelist at the conference. Her topic, which focuses on permanent establishment, will be a part of a large panel titled The Impact of the BEPS Multilateral Convention. The conference will take place on January 23, 2019 in Milan, Italy.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Italy welcomes the legal and tax professionals Andrea di Castri, Francesca Capoferri, and Stefania Zanotti, as Managing Partners in its offices. The addition of the three experts strengthens the practices in the firm, along with two new Partners: Marco Sensidoni and Luca Cavalleri.

At the beginning of 2019, Andersen Tax & Legal in Germany further expanded its tax and transaction practice with Dr. Malte Strüber and Christian Weimann. Both had previously worked in Beiten Burkhardt's Berlin office as tax consultants and lawyers. Strüber joins Andersen Tax & Legal as a Partner, and Weimann initially joins as Senior Associate. With these two additions, the areas of tax structuring and transaction consulting, as well as tax defense consulting in particular, will be strengthened.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain welcomes Andrés Zapata as Partner of the Procedural Law department in the Valencia office.

Andersen Global announced today it has signed a collaborating agreement in Grand-Duché de Luxembourg with the law firm Collin Maréchal (CM Law).

To top off a year of innovative and advanced legal instruments, the Anti-Cyber and Information Technology Crimes Law (Law No. 175 of the year 2018) has been ratified and published in the official Gazette. The new law addresses issues such as hacking state information systems, committing crimes through information systems, technology, or e-mail, or publishing material online that threatens the country’s security or economy. 

Andersen Global is proud to announce an expanded presence in Turkey as local member firm, Andersen Tax, opens a fifth office in the city of Denizli in January. Andersen Tax in Turkey, which also has a presence in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Bursa, first became a member firm of Andersen Global in January 2018, and has experienced rapid growth in the region.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain welcomes Miguel Nieto as Partner of the Public and Regulatory Law Department in the Madrid office, thus reinforcing the capabilities of the area headed by José Vicente Morote.

Andersen Global announces an expanded presence in India as Nangia Advisors LLP, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, added an office location in Gurgaon, India. Nangia Advisors began collaborating with Andersen Global in May 2018, initiating the international association’s expansion in India. The addition in Gurgaon marks Nangia Advisors’ fifth location and continues their steady growth in India.

In August, President Abdel Fattah el Sisi ratified Law No. 176 of 2018, regulating financial leasing and factoring activities, and replacing both the old financial leasing law (Law No. 95 of 1995) and the ministerial decree No. 446 of 2003. The new law lays down the rules and procedures for licensing financial leasing companies.

Andersen Tax welcomes Benjamin Supowit as a Managing Director in the Washington, D.C. office as part of the Private Client Services Practice group. Ben has over 13 years of experience in tax compliance, planning engagements for high net worth clients, and planning in the areas of finance, investment, retirement, equity compensation, income tax and estate tax.

For the first time in Egypt, electronic signatures have become an integral part of legal and official procedures in the public sector. The Ministry for Investment and International Cooperation has announced that The General Authority for Investments and Free Zones (GAFI) has made it possible to sign the paperwork setting up a company through electronic signature. 

Today, Andersen Global expanded its reach in the United Kingdom with the addition of Claritas Tax Limited, a tax advisory and compliance services firm based in Birmingham, the second largest city in the country. Claritas is the fourth firm collaborating with Andersen Global in the UK.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Germany welcomes Zvi Tirosh, a real estate lawyer, as a Partner in its Frankfurt office. The addition of Zvi strengthens the firm’s real estate law practice group, which is headed by Partner Philipp Zschaler in the Berlin office. The real estate practice is now compromised of 14 advisors throughout the multiple office locations in Germany.

KSP Legal & Tax Advice (T.Srokosz i Wspólnicy Sp.k.), a leading law firm based in Katowice, Poland, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Andersen Global, an international association of tax and legal firms. Andersen Global’s expanded presence in Poland furthers its ability to provide seamless service throughout Europe through its member firms and collaborating firms.

The prestigious American publication Best Lawyers has selected 27 Andersen Tax & Legal professionals as the most outstanding in Spain with a total of 44 distinctions in the ranking it prepares annually. The publication also recognizes one individual from Andersen Tax & Legal in Germany and five professionals from Andersen Tax & Legal in Portugal.

Andersen Global announced today the expansion of its Global Board of Directors with two new board members: Seyi Bickersteth, Partner at Andersen Tax in Nigeria, and Lena Hamdi, Partner at Andersen Tax & Legal in Egypt.

Today, Andersen Global announced a collaboration agreement with Mondon Conseil International, a notable Western African tax consulting, legal, accounting and financial advisory services firm based in Ivory Coast.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Egypt, a member firm of Andersen Global, an international association of member firms, has signed a cooperation protocol with the British University in Egypt (BUE) at a ceremony hosted at the university's headquarters, located in Sherouk City. 

Cyprus Central Bank (CBC) issued a circular on November 2, 2018 on shell companies that will help eliminate suspicious transactions and further strengthen banks’ anti-money laundering (AML) practices.

Andersen Global announced today it signed a Collaboration Agreement with Goldemberg Saladino Hermida Rolando & Asociados, in Buenos Aires. This is the second Andersen Global collaborating firm in the commerce hub of Buenos Aires, and the 20th location in nine different Latin American countries.

Andersen Global welcomes Murat Demir, a new Partner in Bursa at Andersen Tax in Turkey, a member firm of Andersen Global. Murat has over 14 years of experience in providing tax advisory and compliance services to many local and international companies. 

Andersen Global furthers its expansion into the Middle East with news that the leading independent tax consulting firm in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has become a collaborating firm of Andersen Global.

Andersen Tax & Legal in Spain reinforces its labor law practice in its Barcelona office with the addition of Pablo Santos, who will be responsible for the practice in Barcelona.

The Egyptian Ministry of Finance has issued a new decree 547 dated October 21, 2018, that includes the newly updated transfer pricing guidelines which replace the old guidelines issued in 2010.

Andersen Tax welcomes the addition of Curtis Best as a Managing Director in the New York office. He will join the firm’s Commercial Practice group, with a particular focus in international services. Curtis has over 26 years of experience in areas including international tax structuring and minimization, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property and software planning.

Simon Davari, a Partner at Andersen Tax in Canada, a member firm of Andersen Global, has written an article for ACCLR Business Services. In his article titled SMEs: 4 Things to Know About Taxes Before Starting a Project Abroad, Simon discusses key information on expanding a business internationally including tax considerations and important tax elements to know.

Andersen Global welcomes Ali Özdin, a new Partner at Andersen Tax in Turkey, a member firm of Andersen Global. Ali joins the Izmir office with over 20 years of experience in tax, finance, accounting, tax financial structuring and M&A.

The Law No. 2016-1691 of December 9th, 2016, also known as Loi Sapin 2, relates to the transparency, fight against corruption and modernization of economic life. Following the adoption of this system, the CNIL updated the AU-004 again by a decision on June 22, 2017 to take note of this law, which aims to regulate the management of these data and treatments.

The Suez Canal Corridor Area Project, also known as The Great Egyptian Dream is a project launched in 2014 by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The project aims to expand and strengthen the Suez Canal region, and use it as a source of income and an attraction for investment. 

Andersen Tax is pleased to announce a new location and welcome two new Managing Directors to its Metro D.C. practice. Effective on October 16th, Dalbert Ginsberg and Scott Boyd join Andersen Tax from Ginsberg Boyd CPAs pllc, specializing in servicing the needs of closely-held and emerging businesses.

The Egyptian parliament has recently approved a new law covering health insurance. The law is an update from a more populist system which had been in place since the 1960s.

TEI's 73rd Annual Conference, titled Implementing U.S. Tax Reform: Seizing Opportunities, Mitigating Risks, is being held October 29-31, 2018 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel in San Diego, CA. Andersen Global Managing Directors/Partners Juan Federico Fischer, Chuck Chubb and Daniel Kai Fischer, will participate and present at the conference on three separate topics.

The French government presented the Draft Finance Bill for 2019 on September 24, 2018. The draft contains important corporate income tax measures on issues including reform of the rules on the deductibility of financial charges, modification of the tax consolidation regime in order to ensure its compliance with EU law, and others. 

In 2018, under the framework of AEOI (Automatic Exchange of Information), the Swiss FTA was required to exchange data with the European Union (EU) states as well as a further nine states and territories. 

Act No. 2018-771, the Professional Future Act of September 5, 2018 (hereinafter referred to as the Act), require listed SA and SCA companies to include how parity between women and men is sought in their corporate governance report information. This report also presents the results on gender diversity in the 10% of high responsibility positions.

On October 2, 2018, at the ECOFIN meeting the European Union (EU) ministers of finance agreed on the implementation of a number of quick fixes to the current EU VAT system per January 1, 2020. These quick fixes were introduced on October 4, 2017 in a proposal of the European Commission towards a definitive VAT system for intra-EU trade of goods.

Andersen Tax & Legal, the Italian member firm of Andersen Global, yesterday held a prominent policy event featuring Romano Prodi, the former president of the European Commission. The assemblage focused on globalization in the political environment and was held during the 2018 IBA Annual Conference, currently underway this week in Rome, Italy.

The law, commonly known as the Uber and Careem Law, consists of 19 articles, as well as four preambles. The preambles make it clear that the law aims to allow such services by regulating them in a way that does not harm service providers and protects consumers.

Andersen Global welcomes Anıl Ecevit, a tax expert with 17 years of experience in tax, accounting, finance, M&A and structuring areas. He will be joining Andersen Tax in Turkey, a member firm of Andersen Global.

Due to international obligations, Egypt is due to remove all customs on EU-imported vehicles. Sticker prices of cars imported from the EU are due to drop by 10-15%, given that the USD exchange rate for customs remains stable at its current level. 

The Federal Council met on September 5, 2018 to discuss improving the attractiveness of Switzerland as an investment fund location. In order to facilitate the market launch of new provisions, instructions have been issued to the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to put forward a proposal, which details corresponding legislative revision by mid-2019.

Andersen Global announces an added presence in Africa with Tadesse Kiros Law Office, one of the largest law offices in Ethiopia. 

Nangia Advisors LLP, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, is a sponsor of the Taxsutra Conclave 2018, a conference hosted by the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD). The conference takes place October 11-13 in Gurgaon, India. Rakesh Nangia, the founder and Managing Partner of Nangia Advisors LLP, will also act as a session moderator during the three day conference. 

The Federal Council met on September 5, 2018 and observed the results of the consultation procedure on an administrative assistance agreement in the customs area with the U.S. The current draft agreement was reviewed by the Federal Council, which in its present form, is rejected or at least viewed critically by most business associations and seven cantons.

On September 18, 2018, President Abdel Fatah el Sisi ratified the new Consumer Protection Law, which had been approved by parliament in April of this year. 

International guides Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 have ranked Tufiño & Villegas, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, as a top law firm in Bolivia. Tufiño & Villegas is located in Bolivia with office locations in La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. 

Andersen Global continues its growth in Latin America with news that one of the premier tax law firms in Bolivia, Estudio Jurídico Tufiño Villegas & Asoc., has become a collaborating firm of Andersen Global. 

The process of renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) began on August 16, 2017 with an expectation to be concluded in seven rounds by the beginning of 2018. After a year of talks between the three countries involved (U.S., Mexico, and Canada), on August 27th, an agreement between U.S. and Mexico was finally reached (known as the U.S. - Mexico Trade Agreement).​

Andersen Global announces further growth in South America with the signing of a Collaboration Agreement with BKM Berkemeyer, one of the oldest and largest law firms in Paraguay.

Andersen Global named the members of the European Regional Board of Directors. This regional board will advise the global organization on issues critical to the continent to ensure that the group is working in a seamless way across the different countries of the region, practice areas, industries and also on the management of common protocols.

Mark Davies, Partner and Founder of Mark Davies & Associates Ltd, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, has been highlighted by Spear's Wealth Management Magazine as one of the top 10 private client accountants in the United Kingdom. Spear’s is a wealth management and luxury lifestyle media brand that has established itself as one of Europe's leading media authorities.

Zalloum & Laswi, a prominent law firm with a presence in Amman, Jordan, has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Andersen Global, an international association of tax and law firms. 

Andersen Global is proud to announce that a Partner from Andersen Tax & Legal in Portugal, a member firm of Andersen Global, and a Partner from A2Z Tax & Legal, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, have been named top tax leaders in their regions by the International Tax Review (ITR). ITR provides tax professionals with up-to-date news and analysis service in regards to cross-border tax issues. 

A new law has been issued to provide a reduction on the interest applicable for late payments, on the condition that the full original tax due, or was eligible for payment before the issuance of this law, is settled in full.

Andersen Global strengthens its expansion into Eastern Europe with news that the leading and largest independent firm, OrienTax, in Hungary has become a collaborating firm of the international organization.

Andersen Global continues its expansion in Africa through a Collaboration Agreement with Oliveira & Associados, a law firm based in Angola, founded by Formosa Oliveira in 2016.

Andersen Global continues expansion in Africa with Isalcio Mahanjane e Associados, a law firm headquartered in Maputo, Mozambique. 

In recent times, cryptocurrency has garnered much global attention. While it offers massive wealth creation opportunities, it also provides taxpayers with a platform for new tax planning opportunities. Since its introduction in 2009, it has become widely used across various jurisdictions.

Andersen Global expanded its presence in Europe this week through a collaboration with LANSKY, GANZGER + partner (LGP), one of the largest independent law firms in Central Europe. 

Andersen Tax & Legal in Germany provides an update and useful information about recent developments and trends regarding tax and legal issues affecting foreign companies investing and operating in Germany.

Time Magazine through their subsidiary Reo Communications, interviewed Office Managing Director Olaleye Adebiyi of Andersen Tax in Nigeria.

Andersen Global welcomes Paul Weinberg and Yaron Zilberstein as lawyers in Tel Aviv, who will be providing legal services in Israel as collaborating firm, Beneli, Weinberg & Co. 

Fischer & Schickendantz, led by Juan Federico Fischer, and Solution Alliance SRL, led by Juan Ignacio Troccoli, have rebranded this week as Andersen Tax & Legal, a member firm of Andersen Global. 

Andersen Global solidifies its growing presence in Latin America with news that the Andersen name will debut in Ecuador, today unveiling Andersen Global collaborating firms Profile Cia, Ltda. and FIDESBURó Cia, Ltda. adopting the name Andersen Tax & Legal and transitioning to become a member firm of the international organization.

Andersen Global member firm and collaborating firm Partners have been featured in the latest Who's Who Legal guide, Who’s Who Legal: Corporate Tax 2018.

Alem & Associates, a collaborating firm of Andersen Global, was top-ranked by the Media Law International Guide as one of the best media law firms in Lebanon. This is the third consecutive year they have received this award. 

Andersen Tax & Legal is complementing the services offered in its Berlin office in the areas of employment, commercial/litigation and construction law. 

Andersen Tax & Legal in Portugal welcomes Pedro Pais Vasconcelos and Pedro Leitão Pais Vasconcelos as Partners in the Corporate and M&A, Economy and Financial and Real Estate areas.

Andersen Global announces an added presence in London with a third location in the United Kingdom with Milestone International Tax Partners LLP, a tax firm specializing in international tax.

Andersen Global continues its growth and robust presence within the Latin American region with the addition of Lotti e Araujo, a law firm with offices in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Andersen Global announces an added presence in Europe with B.A. Tax Accountants, a tax firm based in Luxembourg City.