Department profile
Werksmans Attorneys

Tax

Global Guide 2026 : South Africa


Werksmans Attorneys

Rankings

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

Provided by Chambers

Tax - South Africa

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

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, acting for a clientele that includes numerous financial services clients.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Werksmans advised a consortium comprised of Standard Bank and Absa Bank on the tax implication of a new funding package, as well as the implications connected to the repayment of the old financing agreement.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Werksmans is brilliant in understanding complex problems and using commercial awareness in providing solutions.

    Tax respondentGlobal
  • The law firm has top-class consultants with experience in the field.

    Tax respondentGlobal
  • The Werksmans' lawyers apply their minds to complex problems and consider all aspects in their advice to us.

    Tax respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Ernest Mazansky
    Band 1Ernest Mazansky

    Ernest Mazansky

    Ernest Mazansky is a highly respected individual with a practice encompassing the full gamut of tax law involving corporate taxation. He is experienced in both contentious and non-contentious tax matters.

    • Ernest Mazansky is a top consultant.

      Tax respondentGlobal
  • Band 2Doelie Lessing
    Band 2Doelie Lessing

    Doelie Lessing

    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 law firm's Stellenbosch office, she is further experienced in acting for private equity organisations.

  • Band 3Michael Honiball
    Band 3Michael Honiball

    Michael Honiball

    Michael Honiball is well reputed for his knowledge of private wealth law, assisting numerous high-net-worth individuals and investors. He also assists international corporate clients with tax and transfer pricing issues.

    • Michael Honiball is a brilliant international tax lawyer.

      Tax respondentGlobal
  • Band 3Ryan Killoran
    Band 3Ryan Killoran

    Ryan Killoran

    Ryan Killoran is well respected in the South African tax space for his advice in relation to corporate transactions, including tax planning for international companies. He has well-established experience regarding the taxation of domestic and cross-border financial instruments.

Ranked Individuals at Werksmans Attorneys (4)

South Africa

Members

Provided by Werksmans Attorneys

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