Cerha Hempel‘s tax team takes instructions across the gamut of tax matters, representing clients in criminal proceedings and tax audits, including disputes over stamp duty liabilities, and assisting them in arranging transactions and employee benefits in tax-optimal structures. Leading the team in tandem are Johannes Prinz, whose focus is on the structuring of M&A deals and corporate restructurings, VAT and taxes levied on non-profit organisations, and tax litigator Benjamin Twardosz, an expert in stamp duty and other tax disputes who appears for clients in courts up to the Supreme Administrative Court. Christoph Schimmer’s practice mergers expertise in corporate and company law with Austrian and international tax law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The tax team at Cerha Hempel demonstrated great expertise at the intersection of tax law and constitutional law. We were very satisfied with the performance provided, which far exceeded our expectations.’

  • ‘Benjamin Twardosz, in particular, guided us through the complex procedures with a consistently polite, appreciative, and competent approach. Together with Christian Schimmer, we have been excellently and efficiently supported so far, and we can rightfully say that our trust in the mentioned individuals was fully present at all times.’

  • ‘The firm provides helpful guidance and advice. It goes above and beyond.’

  • ‘Benjamin Twardosz has been extremely responsive and provides great, easy-to-follow advice.’

  • ‘Good and reliable tax team that delivers great value for the work done. Communication is easy and deadlines (even short ones) are met.’

  • ‘Benjamin Twardosz is always available and fully engaged in the matters, providing quality advice on technical tax issues in a timely manner.’

  • ‘Cerha Hempel's tax team provides hands-on and practical advice including rather difficult fields in Austrian tax law e.g. stamp duties in a transactional context.’

  • ‘Benjamin Twardosz is one of the very few Austrian tax lawyers providing conclusive advice regarding international transactions within an Austrian context.’

Key clients

  • Ground Truth Solutions
  • AIG Asset Management
  • Contrarian Capital Management
  • Pacific Investment Management Moneda Deuda
  • Latinoamericana Fondo de Inversion Moneda Latin
  • American Corporate Debt
  • Deutsche Telekom AG
  • A&O Shearman LLP
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  • Deutsche Beteiligungs AG
  • IFF International Flavors & Frangrances Inc
  • Polar Capital Funds Plc/MFS Meridian Funds SICAV
  • Advent International
  • OMV AG
  • William Hill
  • Aéroports de Paris S.A.

Work highlights

  • Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a prolongation of an existing put and call option agreement, focused on the entry into an assignment agreement on dividends distributed by Erste Bank Hungary Zrt in future.
  • Advised two UHNWIs on several tax and fiscal criminal law matters and advice tied to a relocation to Austria and taxation of trust income.
  • Represented several clients in appeals to the Supreme Administrative and Supreme Constitutional Courts on matters of stamp duty and questions of tax liability.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Johannes Prinz, Benjamin Twardosz

Other key lawyers

Christoph Schimmer