Halliwells' tax team has extensive experience of advising clients across a broad range of business sectors on a variety of strategic tax issues. It works closely with other specialists within the firm and our clients’ other advisers to assist our clients in meeting their strategic goals in a tax efficient manner.

Corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions

The structuring of corporate finance transactions forms a key part of the department's practice. This includes advising potential sellers on their pre-disposal tax planning and buyers on the most tax appropriate structure for their acquisitions. With our legal background we are also able to take control of the drafting and negotiation of the essential tax documentation that accompanies such transactions.

Our clients include corporates, entrepreneurs, company directors, owners of family companies, venture capital backed management teams, investment funds and other outside investors, whom we assist on a wide variety of transactions, including management buy-ins and buy-outs, fundraisings, enterprise investment schemes, flotations, group restructurings, reorganisations and demergers.

Our advice embraces direct tax issues, VAT and stamp duty planning.

Employee tax, benefits and incentives

Our team provides advice on a wide range of employee tax issues, including those arising from corporate reconstructions and terminations of employment.

It has extensive experience in advising private and venture capital backed companies on the appropriate employee ownership structures to support their commercial objectives and in the design and implementation of equity based incentives for management and the workforce more widely. 

The team has also acted for a broad range of listed companies on share incentive and remuneration planning, including advice on the range of approved and unapproved arrangements, long term incentive plans, all employee share plans and employee trusts including arrangements for multinational companies and groups.

Property tax

Working closely with our property and corporate specialists, we provide integrated property tax advice across a range of taxes including direct taxes, capital allowances, Stamp Duty Land Tax and VAT.  This includes advice on property investment and development structures, including limited liability partnerships and joint ventures and bespoke advice on Stamp Duty Land Tax mitigation.

Areas of Specialism / Expertise:
Corporate

• Acquisitions/mergers
• Disposals
• Pre-disposal tax structuring
• Takeovers
• MBOs
• Private equity/venture capital investments
• EIS and VCT investments
• IPOs
• Restructurings/reorganisations
• Demergers
• Joint ventures
• Stamp duty planning

Areas of Specialism / Expertise:
Employee tax and benefits

• Employee share ownership structures
• Employee share incentive arrangements for private and listed companies, including EMI, CSOP, SIP, SAYE and unapproved arrangements
• Employee benefit trusts
• Corporate reconstructions
• Terminations of employment

Areas of Specialism / Expertise
Property

• Property investment and development structures
• Limited liability partnerships
• Joint ventures
• SDLT planning