Corporate

A corporate transaction or reorganisation is never an end in itself.

We look at the more profound finality and the nature of wealth transfer. Where assets migrate, taxation comes into play.

Acquisition of companies

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Corporate housekeeping

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Corporate restructuring

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Directors' liability

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Exits from companies

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Family transfers

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Guidance for start-ups

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International transfers of registered office

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Mergers and demergers

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Shareholder disputes

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Acquisition of companies

An acquisition project might signal the end of a career or it could equally represent the relaunch of a new form of cooperation (management buyout (MBO), the input of private equity, a joint venture, etc.) Each acquisition occurs in a different context and should therefore be approached differently. Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers has extensive experience in assisting with various acquisition processes in a range of sectors.

The support that can be provided includes: a preliminary tax and legal analysis, due diligence checks on the buy or sell side, conducting talks with third parties, drafting the contractual set-up, etc. In short, relieving you of all your worries about one of the most significant decisions you may face as an entrepreneur.  

Corporate housekeeping

The experienced lawyers at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers can help you with all the reporting requirements a company may face in both corporate and tax law. We are happy to work with you to see how past and future transactions and events can be documented properly and thoroughly. Administrative hygiene with prompt follow-up is the best defence mechanism in case of later discussions or audits.

Corporate restructuring

Companies naturally grow and shrink over time and their legal structure and background should evolve with them. Within corporate groups, therefore, restructuring is often used to realign the legal structure with operational realities. Capital changes or contribution transactions in companies, intra-group cooperation agreements, or transfers of business lines can all be utilised to make a group structure coherent again. The experts at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers will examine the structures with you and your (financial) advisers and provide hands-on advice adapted to the needs of the business.

Directors' liability

Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers has extensive experience in assisting clients facing directors’ liability, whether the counterparty is the tax authority, the company or a third party. We understand the complex legal and financial implications and offer targeted support to protect your interests.

We also have extensive expertise in initiating proceedings against directors who have made mistakes. Our team will work closely with you to build a strong case, aiming to obtain justice and recover possible damages.

Exits from companies

Conflicts at the shareholder level not only thoroughly disrupt the operational functioning of a company, but also cause significant personal and emotional stress. In extreme cases, the situation may be hopeless and company law provides the instrument of exit for this purpose. In simple terms, you return your shares to the company or the other shareholders and receive a fee. Whether this concerns an exit covered in the company’s articles of association or imposed by the president of the company law courts, you can count on the assistance of Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers throughout the process. These proceedings often involve important accounting and tax issues and we are the ideal partner to help you in this context too.

Family transfers

A family transfer is a complex process in which not only business aspects but also family factors play an important role. It differs substantially from transfers between independent third parties as the parties involved have close personal ties and the continuity of the family business is central.

We understand that these transfers are not just about financial and legal structures, but also about maintaining family harmony and respecting the values and traditions the family has built up over the years. You can therefore count on a personalised approach where we carefully listen to your concerns, wishes and worries.

Our approach is to provide solutions that are both robust in terms of business and coherent in terms of family dynamics. We always strive to ensure that both present and future generations can continue to do business with peace of mind.

Guidance for start-ups

A startup environment is often volatile and characterised by high cash needs and uncertainties. At this stage, it can be tempting to push legal considerations into the background in the interests of rapid growth and innovation. However, it is vital to seek sound legal advice at an early stage. After all, a house built on shaky foundations will never weather the storm. The same goes for a company.

The CORPORATE team’s experienced lawyers will navigate the legal complexities of the startup phase, so that a startup company can focus on what it does best: innovating and growing.

International transfers of registered office

The entrepreneurial landscape is permeated by multiple cross-border aspects and companies may choose to expand their operations into other jurisdictions for various reasons. In the past, Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers has assisted both entrepreneurs who chose to relocate their registered office to Belgium and companies who decide to move a Belgian entity abroad. The team of specialised lawyers is ready to guide you through the process, ensuring that all actors are connected in a coordinated and efficient manner.

Mergers and demergers

Mergers, demergers and partial demergers are the most complex manifestations of corporate restructuring. They are precisely located at the intersection between tax and corporate law and our team has extensive expertise in these transactions. In the past, we have supported clients in creating tax analyses, requesting advance rulings, performing corporate reporting duties, and providing assistance to the instrumenting company auditor and notary.

Shareholder disputes

Conflicts at the shareholder level not only disrupt the operational functioning of a company, but also cause considerable personal and emotional stress. In these situations, it is essential to adopt a pragmatic approach aimed at finding a solution to end the conflicts and prevent further damage. The quickest way to a solution is to find a compromise acceptable to all parties. This is always the best approach.

When an amicable solution cannot be found, we use our expertise to take the necessary (legal) steps. This can range from mediation and arbitration to filing a lawsuit, depending on the specific circumstances of the conflict and the needs of our clients.

Our goal is to guide you through this challenging situation with an approach that considers both your business interests and your personal well-being. We will always work closely with you to determine the best strategy and ensure that the solution achieved is both fair and practical. Under the motto: “Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures.”

“Tax is everywhere”

“Look before you leap”.

A corporate transaction or reorganisation is never an end in itself. We look at the more profound finality and the nature of wealth transfer. Where assets migrate, taxation comes into play.

three-men-looking-down

Advice

Disputes

Are you looking for tax advice based on a firm foundation, written in regular language and which offers a viable solution? Then you have come to the right place at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers! We supplement classic tax advice with a tax risk analysis to ensure that a structure passes the tax administration or court review. Together, we go for well-founded solutions that meet both short and long-term objectives.

Count on the CORPORATE team for assistance with tax audits and discussions with the tax administration, both at the administrative stage and in court. We ascertain precisely what the tax administration will and will not allow in the specific tax files. We also explore the viability of the tax authority’s claims and the arguments you could use to make a difference in court.

Regularisations

Negotiations

What if some components of your assets have not been subjected to the correct tax regime? You can still realise a rectification within a legally prescribed framework, through tax regularisation. The experts at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers can analyse how to use this tax technique correctly and guide you through the rest of a case.

Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers are experienced negotiators. Our priority is always the best possible deal for our clients. Whether it concerns contract negotiations, settlements or business transactions, we provide the lasting and most beneficial solution!

Advice

Are you looking for tax advice based on a firm foundation, written in regular language and which offers a viable solution? Then you have come to the right place at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers! We supplement classic tax advice with a tax risk analysis to ensure that a structure passes the tax administration or court review. Together, we go for well-founded solutions that meet both short and long-term objectives.

Disputes

Count on the CORPORATE team for assistance with tax audits and discussions with the tax administration, both at the administrative stage and in court. We ascertain precisely what the tax administration will and will not allow in the specific tax files. We also explore the viability of the tax authority’s claims and the arguments you could use to make a difference in court.

Regularisations

What if some components of your assets have not been subjected to the correct tax regime? You can still realise a rectification within a legally prescribed framework, through tax regularisation. The experts at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers can analyse how to use this tax technique correctly and guide you through the rest of a case.

Negotiations

Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers are experienced negotiators. Our priority is always the best possible deal for our clients. Whether it concerns contract negotiations, settlements or business transactions, we provide the lasting and most beneficial solution!