The highly-regarded practice at Bowmans is well-versed in handling a wide range of complex tax matters, with noted strength in tax litigation and the tax aspects of international trade. Barry Garven advises on corporate and international tax matters, as well as tax dispute resolution; he co-heads the department with Mike Benetello, an expert in advising on mining taxation, the tax aspects of business rescue, private equity and mergers and acquisitions. Wally Horak‘s broad experience includes transfer pricing, exchange control and the development of tax-efficient structures for inbound and outbound investments. Kelly Wright is sought after for her expertise in assisting corporate clients and financial institutions with tax litigation. Alan Keep, Robyn Berger and Esther Geldenhuys are also practitioners to note.
Tax in South Africa
Bowmans
Practice head(s):
Barry Garven; Mike Benetello
Other key lawyers:
Wally Horak; Alan Keep; Kelly Wright; Robyn Berger; Esther Geldenhuys
Testimonials
‘Excellent tax support on restructuring; technical excellence; always available for urgent advice.’
‘Technical excellence; understand our unique challenges; easy to work with, supportive and understanding.’
‘Strong team.’
‘Mike Benetello is excellent and a pleasure to work with.’
‘The partners of this firm are very commercial in their approach and great problem solvers, delivering effective solutions for the client.’
‘The firm provides practical and insightful advice which is necessary for structuring complex transactions.’
‘The experience and knowledge of Mike Benetello in particular was crucial in the process of analysing and deciding between alternative options at various points in the evolution of the transaction structure.’
‘Bowmans have an excellent team of specialists, who are experts in their fields.’
Key clients
South African Breweries Proprietary Limited
AB InBev / Tanzanian Breweries Limited
The Standard Bank of South Africa
The AfriSam group of companies
Mr Price Group limited
Barloworld Limited
Corteva Inc
African Rainbow Minerals
MTN
Crossfin
Work highlights
- Acting as South African counsel to AngloGold Ashanti Limited on the tax aspects of the client’s ZAR 162.3 billion international group restructuring.
- Provides ongoing assistance to technology company Vantage Data Centres regarding tax and exchange control matters.
- Assisting Allianz SE with ongoing exchange control and income tax issues arising from its implementation of its joint venture with Sanlam.
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr‘s leading tax and exchange control practice has a solid track record in assisting prominent domestic and international clients with contentious, regulatory and transactional tax work. Practice head Emil Brincker is highly regarded for his expertise in advising on the tax aspects of corporate restructurings and reorganisations. Director Gerhard Badenhorst, a chartered accountant, is sought after for his excellent track record in handling VAT work, while Stephan Spamer focuses on assisting major industry leaders with the tax structuring of cross-border transactions. Howmera Parak is a key name for international tax and exchange control matters, and Jerome Brink‘s workload includes handling dispute resolution and tax controversy issues, the taxation of trusts and transfer pricing cases. Lance Collop left the firm in January 2023.
Practice head(s):
Emil Brincker
Other key lawyers:
Stephan Spamer; Gerhard Badenhorst; Jerome Brink; Howmera Parak
Testimonials
‘Competent, efficient and quick.’
‘They listen to your problems and make various suggestions to reach the correct conclusion or corrective actions. ’
‘The uniqueness of this practice is the professionals involved – focused and available. They are exceptional.’
‘Gerhard Badenhorst’s integrity and expertise is unrivalled.’
‘Excellent tax professionals that provide the full spectrum of tax services, including tax dispute resolution and tax advice.’
‘The service from Emil Brincker is excellent. His turnaround time on providing advice or responding to tax disputes on behalf of a taxpayer is astonishing.’
‘Gerhard Badenhorst is always willing to provide practical VAT advice on transactions on short notice.’
Key clients
TDE
ENSafrica
Led by Peter Dachs, ENSafrica’s prominent tax practice assists major multinational and domestic clients with the whole range of tax work. Dachs brings considerable international tax expertise, as well as advising financial institutions and corporates on the tax implications of M&A and group reorganisations. Kristel van Rensburg specialises in mining taxation, while Andries Myburgh and Robert Gad have expertise in assisting corporates and B-BBEE shareholders with the tax aspects of B-BBEE transactions. Charles De Wet is highly regarded for his excellent track record in advising on VAT, and Jens Brodbeck is sought after for his strength in transfer pricing matters. Simon Weber has experience in tax controversy matters and mineral royalties tax disputes.
Practice head(s):
Peter Dachs
Other key lawyers:
Kristel van Rensburg; Andries Myburgh; Robert Gad; Jens Brodbeck; Charles de Wet; Simon Weber
Testimonials
‘Exceptional team that is willing to think out of the box and not afraid to venture into unknown territory with regards to tax matters not previously tested in a court. They truly have their clients’ best interests at heart.‘
Key clients
Standard Bank Limited
Teraco Data Environments (Pty) Ltd
TFG
4Sight Holdings Ltd
Amrod Corporate Solutions (Pty) Ltd
TymeBank Limited
London Clubs International Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Standard Bank and its clients on the tax aspects of setting up offshore vehicles in order to facilitate a private equity vehicle.
- Advising Teraco Data Environments (Pty) Ltd on the South African tax aspects of a potential disposal of shares in a South African entity by an offshore vehicle, and restructuring the group to introduce minority investors.
- Advised The Foschini Group Limited on the tax aspects of its acquisition of a 100% stake in Tapestry Home Brands and its subsidiaries.
Webber Wentzel
Brian Dennehy heads Webber Wentzel‘s tax practice, supported by deputy head, international tax specialist Cor Kraamwinkel. The team fields expertise in exchange control, indirect tax and VAT, corporate tax, employment tax issues and tax litigation, to name a few areas. Graham Viljoen is very experienced in advising on the tax aspects of private equity fund formations and investments, and Anne Bennett is a key name for assisting with international tax planning concerning cross-border financings, inbound and outbound investments and M&A. Shirleen Ritchie specialises in corporate tax, and advises clients in the private equity and regulatory industries. Nina Keyser brings expertise in tax controversy management. Kyle Beilings left the firm in January 2023.
Practice head(s):
Brian Dennehy; Cor Kraamwinkel
Other key lawyers:
Anne Bennett; Nina Keyser; Graham Viljoen; Shirleen Ritchie
Testimonials
‘Consistent high-quality and timely advice and services; a reliable and dedicated team that is easy to work with, understands time pressures and urgent matters and will go the extra mile to provide support. Billing is also clear.’
‘Cor Kraamwinkel has exceptional knowledge and strength in the areas of tax and legal matters. In addition to his technical skills, he is also reliable and prompt in his assistance, and a pleasure to work with.’
‘The tax department is excellent. Their knowledge and innovative way of looking at transactions is invaluable.’
‘Brian Dennehy provides a unique perspective on tax matters and is able to understand complex tax implications. His solutions and approach are unparalleled. Working with him is a pleasure and his attention to detail is excellent. One of the best tax practitioners in the country.’
Key clients
Twin City Group
Tyme Bank
Heineken B.V
Sanlam Private Equity
Diageo SA
Retail Capital Ltd
Old Mutual
Sun International
Ethos Private Equity
Ascendis Health Ltd
Werksmans Attorneys
With an excellent track record in advising corporates and high-net-worth individuals and families on international tax planning, Michael Honiball heads Werksmans Attorneys‘ tax practice. Key pillars of strength for the department include assisting with the tax aspects of business rescue, private equity, inbound and outbound investments and estate planning, and members are often instructed in tax litigation. Ernest Mazansky is a highly regarded practitioner in the space, with expertise encompassing corporate tax planning, exchange control, restructurings and share incentive schemes. Doelie Lessing has a strong reputation in tax matters in relation to cross-border share incentive arrangements and multi-jurisdictional investments.
Practice head(s):
Michael Honiball
Other key lawyers:
Ernest Mazansky; Doelie Lessing
Testimonials
‘Ernest Mazansky: without a doubt, a leader in the tax world when it comes to high-value transactions, mergers, acquisitions etc. Immense experience and in-depth knowledge. ’
Key clients
Shoprite Holdings Ltd
Paycorp Investments Ltd
IPIC Properties
Outdoor Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Caracol Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Shoprite Holdings Ltd on tax matters relating to a complex ESOP arrangement.
- Advised Paycorp Investments Ltd on the tax aspects of the exit of a private equity investor and introduction of new investors, as well as international restructuring issues.
Baker McKenzie Johannesburg
Baker McKenzie Johannesburg’s tax department has considerable experience advising in relation to the tax aspects of customs, excise, and international trade matters, a specialist area of focus for practice head Virusha Subban. Subban regularly advises state departments and multinational corporations on cross-border trade concerns and indirect tax issues. Jana Krause has a strong reputation in VAT matters, and Denny Da Silva focuses on transfer pricing, employees’ tax, the application of exchange control regulations, international and corporate tax. Ursula Diale-Ali assists with indirect tax matters.
Practice head(s):
Virusha Subban
Other key lawyers:
Denny Da Silva; Jana Krause; Ursula Diale-Ali
Testimonials
‘Very knowledgeable and understood the issues raised – gave appropriate responses.’
‘Professional approach from highly knowledgeable, qualified and competent staff.’
‘Jana Krause is an expert in her field.’
Key clients
FT Marine t/a Orange Marine
Cloud 9 (Pty) Ltd
Ericsson South Africa (Pty) Ltd
CMS South Africa
At CMS South Africa, Thulaganyo Selokela is the key contact in the tax and exchange control practice, which has a solid track record in handling a broad spectrum of tax-related matters. Transfer pricing, tax structuring and VAT issues are key drivers of work for the group, and Selokela has experience in advising clients from the construction, engineering, media and telecoms sectors on tax disputes. Bernard Mofokeng left the firm in July 2023.
Practice head(s):
Thulaganyo Selokela