Arnaud Tailfer

Arnaud Tailfer has practised as a tax lawyer since 2010. He trained at Ernst & Young Société d'Avocats and Total, before spending over six years as a senior associate at Baker & McKenzie and eight years as a partner at Arkwood, where he developed a leading practice in tax controversy and private wealth. In 2025, he co-founded Axtead with Arnault Devis.

Arnaud is specialised in French and international taxation. He regularly advises entrepreneurs, executives and families on the tax management of their personal affairs (tax residency, real estate restructuring, transmission of family businesses, regularisation of foreign assets, tax filings) as well as on tax matters affecting their companies.

He has developed particular expertise in tax audits and litigation, representing clients in high-stakes disputes involving multimillion-euro reassessments, allegations of abuse of law, and cross-border tax residency challenges. His practice combines advisory and contentious work, and he is regularly instructed on complex intergenerational wealth transfers, Dutreil structuring, exit tax planning for internationally mobile clients, and executive compensation.

Arnaud holds the Paris Bar's official specialisation certificate in tax law. He is a member of leading professional associations, including the IACF (where he sits on the Tax Audit and Controversy Commission), the IFA, STEP and AIJA.

He teaches tax law at the Paris Bar School (EFB) and at Université Paris-Dauphine (Master 223 - Droit du Patrimoine Professionnel), and contributes to tax doctrine through the publication of encyclopaedias, books and articles.

2010: Ernst & Young Société d'Avocats – Tax intern.

2010-2011: Total – Tax department.

2011-2017: Baker & McKenzie – Senior Associate, Tax.

2017-2025: Arkwood – Partner, Tax and Private Wealth.

2025-present: Axtead – Founding Partner.

Holder of the Paris Bar's official specialisation certificate in tax law.

Member of the IACF (Institut des Avocats Conseils Fiscaux), where he sits on the Tax Audit and Controversy Commission.

Member of the IFA (International Fiscal Association).

Member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

Member of AIJA (International Association of Young Lawyers).

Contributes to French tax doctrine through the publication of encyclopaedia entries, book chapters and articles on tax audits, litigation and private wealth structuring.

Regularly speaks at professional conferences and training sessions on tax controversy and wealth planning.

Teaches tax law at the Paris Bar School (EFB) and at Université Paris-Dauphine (Master 223 - Droit du Patrimoine Professionnel).

Arnaud advises heirs of leading French family-owned industrial and real estate groups, HNW entrepreneurs, private equity executives and internationally mobile executives on tax structuring, wealth transmission and cross-border relocation matters.

"AXTEAD is more than just a new brand: it's a renewed vision of tax advisory, built on trust, technical excellence and genuine proximity with our clients."

Led a multi-stage capital restructuring securing the intergenerational transmission of a major French industrial and real-estate group (value confidential, in excess of €300m).

Advised an executive on non-resident status and exit tax optimisation in connection with a relocation from France to Morocco under the France-Morocco tax treaty.

Advised the head of a diversified group on the tax structuring of both operating and wealth-holding companies.

Advised a French entrepreneur on international relocation and change of tax residency.

Successfully defended the heirs of a prominent French family against a €55m tax reassessment alleging abuse of law.

Advised a top private equity executive on the cross-border tax treatment of carried interest.

École des Avocats du Sud-Est (bar school)

CAPA (Certificat d'Aptitude à la Profession d'Avocat)

2009 - 2010

Family offices and private wealth ; Real estate ; Private equity ; Industrial groups ; Listed companies ; Hospitality and gaming.

France ; UK ; USA; Italy ; Spain ; Morocco ; Portugal ; Ireland ; Switzerland ; Turkey ; Mauritius.