A major heavyweight in the field of financial and transactional tax, A&O Shearman also handles a variety of matters across tax litigation, private equity, and increasingly energy taxation. Household names in the banking and finance sector in particular seek out the team, which, under the leadership of Patrick Smet, is highly regarded in tax dispute resolution, investigations and administrative controversies. Isabelle Panis, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, enjoys a transactions-centred practice encompassing leveraged financing, restructurings, and private equity deals. Sara Husain offers support on both direct and indirect taxes, with a focus on M&A and capital markets.

A three-pronged approach targeting full-spectrum tax services, wealth and estate planning, and Supreme Court procedures characterises the practice of boutique firm Arteo, whose tax team demonstrates particular aptitude in M&A, finance, and real estate transactions. Practice head Daniel Garabedian is a reference in the field, well-regarded in tax litigation and legislative drafting. Corporate specialist Jean-Michel Degée focuses on reorganisations, tax planning, and remunerations, while An Weyn serves as the primary point of contact for private clients. Steven Peeters, Xavier Pace and Emilie Maes are well-versed in transactional tax and tax disputes.

Making full use of both its international network and the close collaboration within internal teams, Linklaters‘s tax practice is a safe port of call for financial institutions, corporations, investment funds and regulators for assistance with the key areas of tax advisory and planning, tax and VAT disputes, and transactional advice. Leading tax authority Henk Vanhulle heads the team, bolstering a distinct track record in R&D tax incentives with broad experience in corporate M&A, capital markets, finance and real estate transactional tax. Guido De Wit is the house VAT expert, while Caroline Borgers excels in corporate tax and tax litigation. Matthieu Possoz, who was promoted to counsel in May 2023, covers tax structuring, private equity, and real estate transactions.

Supplementing a strong corporate tax offering, Loyens & Loeff directs its large team into dedicated specialisations covering transactional tax, transfer pricing, private clients, exmployment tax, and tax litigation. Nicolas Lippens takes the helm, with a recognised track record in corporate, European and international tax law, while Natalie Reypens is the face of the transfer pricing team, and Nicolas Bertrand and Saskia Lust take charge of the private client offering. Bert Gevers leads the indirect tax team, and Marc Dhaene assists with litigation matters. Transfer pricing specialist Aldo Engels was promoted to counsel in January 2023.

Boutique firm Tiberghien is a market leader in comprehensive tax advice, covering all aspects of tax law for clients ranging from private individuals to multinational enterprises. Under the close guidance of Koen Morbée, Robin Minjauw leads the corporate tax team as well as the firm’s dedicated team for Belgian headquartered international corporations. Other notable names include Claudine Bodeux for real estate transactions and structuring; Stijn Vastmans for VAT; Emilie Van Goidsenhoven and Griet Vanden Abeele for private client and international estate planning; Vincent Vercauteren for income tax; and Alain Van Geel for family law-related tax matters. Tax procedural and criminal tax law specialist Christophe Dillen was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Multinationals and major Belgian companies rely on the team at Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL for advice on domestic and international tax structuring, tax litigation, and wealth management. Practice head Géry Bombeke assists with a range of issues, including corporate income tax, transfer pricing, and corporate restructurings, while leading corporate and international tax practitioner Alain Huyghe is the go-to for insurance sector tax matters. Private equity and fund structuring is within the remit of Luc Meeus, Lionel Van Reet leads on export controls and sanctions, and Julie Permeke contributes considerable experience in complex tax procedures and dispute resolution.

Real estate, including assisting institutional real estate investors and developers, is the cornerstone of Clifford Chance‘s tax practice, though the firm's offering in M&A tax restructurings and domestic and international tax disputes is equally strong. The team is built around Alexandre Ooms, who combines standing household tax advisory roles for well-known investors with expertise in private equity transactions and tax litigation. Stijn Van Walleghem and Thomas Linard de Guertechin support with broad corporate tax, private equity, and criminal tax law experience.

With three dedicated groups for advisory, controversy, and private clients, Deloitte Legal‘s tax offering covers the breadth of clients’ needs, from corporations to UHNWI and their families. Annick Visschers is the face of the tax dispute resolution team, and specialises in tax risk management, litigation and criminal law. VAT expert Danny Stas and global business tax authority Tim Wustenberghs head the tax advisory arm, while international estate and tax planning is the focus of Mathieu Ex, who is the point of contact for private clients. Astrid Peeters and Filip Smet were promoted to partner in June 2023, and advise on real estate tax and tax litigation, respectively.

Separating its tax focus into two distinct segments, Eubelius provides tax advice to corporate M&A and real estate clients on direct and indirect tax aspects of inbound and outbound investments on the one hand, and handles tax litigation on the other. Leadership of the advisory arm is split between real estate and transactional tax expert Wouter Claes and VAT specialist Korneel Decroix, while Svjatoslav Gnedasj distinguishes himself in heading the tax litigation practice. Kelly Moens supports on real estate and fund taxation.

Integrated full-service Benelux firm Stibbe values close collaboration with its teams in Amsterdam and Luxembourg in bolstering its Belgian tax practice, which is particularly strong in tax litigation, transfer pricing, and transactions, as well as tax legislative work. Indirect taxation expert Wim Panis heads the practice, with transactions and litigation specialist Henk Verstraete, corporate restructuring and financing-focused Giovanni Smet and procedural and litigation-experienced Lizelotte De Maeyer rounding out the team.

CMS capitalises on the strength of its international network in providing a full range of tax advisory services, notably in corporate transactional tax, VAT, tax employee benefits, and tax litigation. Corporate tax lawyer Olivier Querinjean, whose focus is largely on reorganisations, restructurings and cross-border taxation, leads the team, and is joined by indirect and real estate taxes specialist Stéphanie Houx.

Offering advice across the spectrum of tax matters, Liedekerke focuses particularly on transactions and reorganisations, real estate tax, and tax dispute resolution and litigation. Lievin De Wulf, who centres his practice on M&A and private equity transactions, and dedicated real estate tax expert Pierre Desenfans jointly lead the team.

Boutique firm Advisius leverages strong relationships with France to assist Belgian and international clients with French-Belgian tax questions, supplementing the traditional range of tax law advice on transactions, restructuring, and investments. Founding partner Laurent Donnay de Casteau is an expert in Belgian-French tax matters and cross-border management packages, and heads the practice. Jean Meeùs who focuses on corporate tax, tax audits and disputes, was promoted to partner in January 2023.

The tax and private clients practice at ARGO Law divides its expertise between tax transactions, advisory, and litigation, and is commonly retained by private equity and venture funds, corporations, and medium- and large-sized private and family businesses. Corporate, M&A and capital markets transactions specialist Philippe Rens leads on the tax side, alongside Wouter Verhoeye, who joined the firm from Linklaters in March 2023. Estate planning expert Hannes Casier heads the private client practice.

Maintaining a finger on the pulse of IP and R&D tax issues, the practice at Bird & Bird is valued by clients from the life sciences and non-profit sectors. Practice head Brent Springael coordinates the firm’s international centre of intelligence for tax structuring in this regard, while the addition of DALDEWOLF‘s  Olivier Bertin in November 2022 strengthens the team’s tax disputes offering.

With a strong standing in industries including funds, shipping, and banking, DLA Piper provides advice on cross-border transactions, financing, and corporate restructurings. Practice head Nicolas Engelmann offers the broad range of support through the tax life cycle, from planning to controversy, taking over from Philippe Hinnekens, who left the bar in September 2023.

Particularly robust in tax litigation, Monard law, joined by Buyle supports both companies and individuals with tax audits, judicial and administrative proceedings, as well as the broad range of tax advisory and estate planning. Estate and inheritance planning specialist Hilde Van den Keybus heads the practice, with Pieter Van Den Berghe advising on corporate and international tax law matters.

Collaboration with the firm’s corporate M&A and real estate groups serves NautaDutilh‘s tax practice well in providing all-round support in tax transactional matters, including to clients in the real estate and finance sectors. Ken Lioen leads the team, bringing to the table experience in cross-border transactions and international tax planning.

Tax controversy and litigation are the hallmarks of PwC Legal, covering both direct and indirect taxes, tax audit support, banking and financial services transactions and restructuring, as well as private wealth management. Practice head Véronique De Brabanter supports in procedural matters and administrative and court proceedings, while the addition of the PwC Belgium financial services team in July 2023 under Patrice Delacroix and Olivier Hermand expands the team’s regulatory and private wealth competencies.