About
Provided by Werksmans Attorneys
Werksmans' tax lawyers provide integrated advice and assistance on a wide range of local or international tax issues.
Our tax lawyers remain ever responsive to the vast changes in tax law, the complexity of which increases annually with comprehensive amendments. These cover aspects such as evolving corporate restructuring rules; tax rules affecting financial instruments; local and international estate planning, cross-border dealing, and so on.
Services range from consulting on the tax aspects of clients’ commercial dealings to interacting on their behalf with the tax authorities, whether in seeking rulings and other dispensations on their behalf, or in dealing with disputes. Our tax lawyers are skilled in handling objections to assessments, settlement negotiations, appeals in the Tax Court and High Court, and alternative dispute resolution processes.
Special areas of expertise include the tax aspects of commercial activities such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A); private equity and black economic empowerment transactions; and corporate re-organisations. The team has a well-established track record In terms of international tax services, handling matters related to inward and outward investment and offshore structuring, taking into account the exchange control implications thereof.
Advice and dispute resolution is also offered on other areas of tax, such as VAT, estate duty and securities transfer tax.
Chambers Review
Werksmans is a full-service South African law firm with an esteemed tax practice recognised for its significant capabilities handling both corporate and private client tax concerns, including tax-related dispute resolution. Housing commercial tax specialists with expertise in M&A, private equity and black economic empowerment transactions, the department handles high-value transactions on a local and international level for a clientele that includes numerous financial services clients. The team wins recognition for its established expertise in the high net worth segment.
Work Highlights
- A Werksmans team led by Ernest Mazansky acted as tax counsel to Transaction Capital with regard to its 50.1% subscription in WeBuyCars, as well as additional share subscriptions in WBC holdings.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Clients refer to the practice as a "harmonious team driving excellent results."
Interviewees appreciate that the team "possesses specialised expertise in different fields of the law."
Clients refer to the practice as a "harmonious team driving excellent results."
Interviewees appreciate that the team "possesses specialised expertise in different fields of the law."
Notable Practitioners
Head of the firm's international tax practice, Johannesburg director Michael Honiball is reputed for his knowledge of private wealth law, assisting numerous high net worth individuals and investors.
Doelie Lessing provides tax advice to a range of different stakeholders, including corporate clients, financial institutions, high net worth individuals and family trusts. Acting out of the firm's Stellenbosch office, she is further experienced in acting for private equity organisations.
Stalwart lawyer Ernest Mazansky is a highly respected individual with a practice encompassing the full gamut of tax law involving corporate taxation and private wealth. Based in Johannesburg, he acts as head of the firm's tax practice.
"He is very strong on the commercial aspects of tax law."
Johannesburg-based Ryan Killoran is an up-and-coming lawyer with a growing reputation in the South African tax space for his advice in relation to corporate transactions. He frequently represents clients from the manufacturing, natural resources and insurance spaces.
"He is a highly innovative deal structurer."
Ranked Lawyers at
Werksmans Attorneys
South Africa
Members
Provided by Werksmans Attorneys
Erich Bell
Head of Department
Robyn Armstrong
Ryan Killoran