DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Werksmans Attorneys

Tax

3 ranked lawyers

Band 2

South Africa

Global 2021 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

Esteemed tax practice recognised for its significant capabilities handling both corporate and private client tax concerns, including tax-related dispute resolution. Commercial tax specialists, with expertise in M&A, private equity and black economic empowerment transactions. 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.

Strengths

"The team is an experienced and capable outfit," explained one client, adding: "They are specialists. They are knowledgeable and experienced in their respective fields."

Another said: "Werksmans provide an integrated approach between corporate law and tax expertise. They also understand our structure and our methods."

Work highlights

Advised Clover Industries on internal restructuring following its delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Notable practitioners

Doelie Lessing provides tax advice to a range of different stakeholders, including corporate clients, financial institutions, high net worth individuals and family trusts. One source praised her "concise and detail-driven" service, saying: "She has a gift for simplifying complex problems with straightforward solutions."

Stalwart practitioner Ernest Mazansky is a highly respected individual with a practice encompassing the full gamut of tax law involving corporate taxation and private wealth. One source described him as an "exceptional individual."

Michael Honiball is particularly well known for his international tax expertise and his knowledge of private wealth law, assisting numerous high net worth individuals and investors. "He is very knowledgeable," enthused one source, adding: "He has charisma and clients continue to go back to him."

Department Information

This content is provided by Werksmans Attorneys.

Overview

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.