Criminal

Getting into a discussion with the government about wealth can be incredibly challenging or worse.
And when the claims begin to sound criminal, it can extremely threatening.

(International) Tax fraud

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Anti-money laundering legislation

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Asset analysis, accountability and reporting

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Bankruptcy offences

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Compliance in tax regularisation

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Corporate criminal law

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Crimes involving accounting and financial statements

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Customs & excise

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Detection and prevention of tax fraud

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Disciplinary proceedings and administrative sanctions

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Domicile fraud

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Inheritance and estates

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Money laundering

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Private and public corruption

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Recovery of assets

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(International) Tax fraud

Tax criminal law concerns the criminal aspects of tax fraud and other violations of tax laws, such as deliberate tax evasion, where individuals or companies default on their tax obligations by hiding income or real estate.

The team can defend you in the criminal court and also negotiate an out-of-court settlement or prior admission of guilt (VES) with the public prosecutor’s office and the tax administration.

Anti-money laundering legislation

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation comprises rules and procedures that financial institutions and other entities must follow to prevent, detect and report money laundering.
Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers supports reporting entities that must implement ‘Know Your Client’ practices or other obligations under preventive money laundering legislation, such as drafting a client acceptance policy, analysing atypical transactions and developing a general and individual risk assessment, and assisting with a notification to the Financial Intelligence Processing Unit.
In addition, we will assist you if you must undergo an audit of your anti-money laundering policy conducted by the regulator, such as the ITAA or the FPS Economy.
Finally, the team has extensive expertise in applying anti-money laundering laws to crypto assets.

Asset analysis, accountability and reporting

Our team of experts helps prepare accurate financial reports and accounts for your assets, ensuring full transparency and clarity. This is important not only for internal purposes, but also to meet the requirements of tax authorities, regulators, and other involved parties.

To provide the best possible service, we work closely with specialist third parties, such as accountants, financial advisers and forensic experts. These collaborations allows us to offer you a complete and reliable wealth analysis, backed by the expertise of renowned professionals in the financial sector.

Bankruptcy offences

We also have the expertise to assist you if you were to be prosecuted for bankruptcy offences issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, following a complaint from a trustee or otherwise. This may include, for example, acts you are alleged to have committed during the so-called suspect period, alleged simple or fraudulent bankruptcy, fraudulently affecting the assets or liabilities of the bankrupt person or acting in bad faith in the management of the bankruptcy, or the fraudulent inducement of insolvency.

Compliance in tax regularisation

“Compliance” refers to compliance with legal and regulatory obligations in tax matters and in the application of anti-money laundering legislation. Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers will assist you in identifying the origin of your assets and tax liabilities, and if necessary, support you in regularising tax situations, correcting tax returns, and repatriating assets to Belgium from abroad. This includes compliance with rules relating to crypto assets, which often involve complex legal and tax issues.

Corporate criminal law

White collar crime is the English collective term for non-violent crimes committed by individuals in a business environment, often for financial gain. This includes fraud, forgery, racketeering, embezzlement, misuse of corporate assets, abuse of inside information and trust, among other things.
Team Tuerlinckx defends the interests of companies, executives and individuals in such criminal proceedings.

Crimes involving accounting and financial statements

Our team of specialists is also well placed to defend you in relation to alleged offences concerning tax, accounting and financial administration and reporting.

Customs & excise

Customs and excise are a separate branch within criminal tax law, where you have to consider various deviations from ordinary criminal law rules. For example, did you know that customs law has its own criminal offences, and that criminal proceedings are exercised by the Administration? Moreover, compared to other branches, it is a very repressive area. The experienced lawyers at Tuerlinckx can assist you in cases involving alleged smuggling (stealth imports), anti-dumping duties, under-valuations, illegal trade in excise goods, such as alcohol and tobacco, and more.

Detection and prevention of tax fraud

Internal tax fraud can occur in any company and often has serious consequences. At Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers, we help you detect and prevent such fraud within your organisation in a timely manner.

Our team of experts has the knowledge and experience to identify weaknesses in business processes and implement measures that significantly reduce the risk of fraud. We work together closely to promote a culture of transparency and integrity within your company.

Disciplinary proceedings and administrative sanctions

Our experienced lawyers specialise in assisting clients facing disciplinary proceedings or administrative sanctions. Whether it is disciplinary action in your professional sector, or sanctions imposed by an administrative body, we offer a thorough analysis of your case and draw up a strategic defence to protect your rights.

Disciplinary prosecutions and administrative sanctions require a precise legal approach and a deep understanding of the specific rules and procedures within the industry. At Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers, we use our expertise to help you achieve the best possible outcome and minimise the impact on your career.

Domicile fraud

If you are accused of domicile fraud by the tax administration or the public prosecutor’s office, it means that a natural or legal person gives an incorrect address as his or her residence or registered office in order to obtain certain benefits or avoid obligations. This can occur when a person registers at an address that differs from where they actually live.

The discussion about someone’s actual registered address or place of residence is often not clear cut but the person concerned may well be labelled as a fraudster very rapidly.

Inheritance and estates

Disputes over estates and inheritance can lead to serious legal problems, especially when there are allegations of fraud, forgery or the diversion of assets from an estate. We are ready to defend you with expertise and dedication in these complex cases.

The CRIMINAL team understands the emotional and legal complexities of inheritance issues and offers thorough analysis and a strong defence to protect your rights.

Money laundering

Money laundering is the process of attempting to turn an illegal asset into a legitimate one. Transactions with assets derived from tax fraud may also give rise to a money laundering offence.
If you are the subject of a criminal investigation into or prosecuted for money laundering, the CRIMINAL team can assist you at every stage of the investigation or proceedings.

Private and public corruption

Allegations of corruption, whether private or public, can have devastating consequences for your reputation, career and freedom.

Corruption cases are often complex and require a deep understanding of both legal and ethical aspects.

At Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers, we understand the complexity and sensitivity of such matters and are ready to defend you with dedication and expertise.

Recovery of assets

Asset recovery is a complex and sensitive legal process that often occurs in cases of (internal) fraud, bankruptcy or other financial disputes.

Our team of specialised lawyers has extensive experience in tracing, tracking and recovering assets obtained through illegal or unlawful acts. Whether you are dealing with hidden assets, international asset structures, or complex legal disputes, we offer you sound strategy and robust legal assistance.

VAT carousel

VAT carousel fraud is a complex problem where innocent entrepreneurs sometimes become unintentionally involved in fraudulent transactions. At Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers, we understand how you can get caught up in this type of situation despite your good intentions.

Our experienced team of lawyers specialises in defending clients who, through no fault of their own, have been caught up in a chain of VAT fraud. We thoroughly analyse your case and provide a strong, tailored defence to protect your rights.

“Tax is everywhere”

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say…”

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers combines the expertise of criminal law with tax, financial and economic legislation in order to make your defence as effective as possible. In this context, technical expertise and experience are key.

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Criminal defence

Disputes

If you need a criminal defence in relation to alleged tax fraud, money laundering, customs & excise and other financial or economic crimes, we are at your service. We could, for example, support you during an interrogation or criminal investigation, help you negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the public prosecutor, and defend you before the courts and tribunals, including the Court of Cassation and the European Court of Human Rights.

You can count on the team at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers 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.

Corrections and regularisations

Compliance

What if some components of your assets have not been subjected to the correct tax regime? You can often achieve the necessary adjustments through a tax regularisation or rectification, which will result in a criminal prosecution being dropped. The experts at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers have broad expertise in this area. Also with regard to the complex world of crypto assets, we have particular expertise to rectify any past latency in negotiation with tax administrations.

Is your company is facing an audit on the proper application of anti-money laundering legislation and you wish to prepare, or have you been sanctioned in the context of an audit for allegedly failing to comply with certain obligations? Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers has in-depth expertise in anti-money laundering legislation, both in terms of its practical implementation and remedies and defences.

Criminal defence

If you need a criminal defence in relation to alleged tax fraud, money laundering, customs & excise and other financial or economic crimes, we are at your service. We could, for example, support you during an interrogation or criminal investigation, help you negotiate an out-of-court settlement with the public prosecutor, and defend you before the courts and tribunals, including the Court of Cassation and the European Court of Human Rights.

Disputes

You can count on the team at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers 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.

Corrections and regularisations

What if some components of your assets have not been subjected to the correct tax regime? You can often achieve the necessary adjustments through a tax regularisation or rectification, which will result in a criminal prosecution being dropped. The experts at Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers have broad expertise in this area. Also with regard to the complex world of crypto assets, we have particular expertise to rectify any past latency in negotiation with tax administrations.

Compliance

Is your company is facing an audit on the proper application of anti-money laundering legislation and you wish to prepare, or have you been sanctioned in the context of an audit for allegedly failing to comply with certain obligations? Tuerlinckx Tax Lawyers has in-depth expertise in anti-money laundering legislation, both in terms of its practical implementation and remedies and defences.