Mark Gao

Taxation & Wealth Planning

Officer, Pudong Lujiazui New Social Stratum Association

Former Member, Youth Union Pudong Lawyer Committee

Mark Gao is an equity partner with Zhong Lun Law Firm's tax and wealth planning team. Before joining Zhong Lun, he worked for five years as a senior tax consultant at its Shanghai office of a German tax consulting firm.

In his over 15 years in tax and wealth planning practice for both companies and individuals, Mark has exhibited expertise in tax compliance and planning in cross-border M&A, investment, and financing, company restructuring, and daily business operation. In addition, Mark is well-versed in tax-related dispute resolution, services including serving as tax expert for cross-border disputes, representing various Chinese central enterprises and private-sector businesses in tax administrative appeals and litigations, and devising effective tax dispute resolution strategies for companies. His proficiency extends to the domains of the sharing economy, flexible employment, and tax planning of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (including offshore family trust matters and employee benefit trust planning). Notably, Mark has successfully represented clients in negotiations with both PRC national and provincial tax authorities. For these representations, he has implemented feasible tax planning strategies, proactively addressed tax inspections, and adeptly managed tax-related conflicts.

In the private wealth planning area, Mark has been focused for many years on providing legal services to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, especially in the areas of offshore and domestic trusts, employee benefit trusts, and cross-border estate planning. Notably, in the new economic industry, Mark has represented hundreds of internet, high-tech, and unicorn companies and their founders and senior executives in setting up their offshore family trusts and employee benefit trusts.

Mark's clients operate in various sectors, including the internet, high-tech, biopharmaceuticals, investment fund, entertainment, media, sports, manufacturing, real estate, energy, trade, and professional services. Furthermore, he acts as tax and legal advisor to many single-family offices of the top ultra-high-net-worth individuals and provides several renowned families with cross-border tax and investment structuring services.

Mark has been recognized by esteemed legal directories like Chambers and The Legal 500 for many consecutive years. In 2023, he was rated as one of the leading individuals in the private wealth practice area by The Legal 500. He stands among the select group of legal professionals who have received premier accolades in both taxation and wealth planning. Mark is regularly sought after to deliver presentations on tax and wealth planning at domestic and international private banks, investment firms, and emerging media platforms.

As a prominent figure among Chinese tax and wealth planning lawyers, Mark is frequently invited to give speeches and deliver presentations on the progress and transformation of the Chinese tax landscape at various international tax conferences and prestigious universities.

Mark's team comprises highly experienced professionals, each holding both lawyer and tax accountant qualifications. They are capable of providing clients with integrated legal and tax services and assisting clients to navigate the dynamic tax environment by virtue of efficient and compliant tax and wealth planning.