Practice overview
Tax authorities continue to innovate, not only opening more inquiries but also exploring new types of data-led tax audits. As such, multinational organizations continue to spend more time and resources managing tax controversies in both their local and foreign jurisdictions, with a view to both the financial and reputational aspects of a tax dispute. Tax authorities are sharing information about companies and focusing increasingly not just on the technical merit of a tax position but also on implementation. Research suggests that the average length of a tax audit has risen in recent years.
As a result of these trends, organizations and tax authorities are increasingly taking disputes to court and the past 12 months have seen several significant judgements across the region. Deloitte’s tax controversy teams include former tax authority officials, tax specialists, alternative dispute resolution specialists, and in many countries, tax litigation specialists who can assist multinational businesses at all phases of the tax controversy cycle. In the EMEA region, a strong network has been created that is ready to assist multinational enterprises to navigate the various procedures and provide strategic guidance in addition to detailed legal analysis. Deloitte controversy specialists assist clients proactively across pre-dispute, dispute, and litigation matters.
Our key service offerings
Pre-controversy audit readiness and data examination
Voluntary disclosures
Negotiated settlements
Litigation, appeals, and settlement
Transfer pricing
Tax controversy software tools and support
Corporate defense
Recent wins
Corporate defense for a large multinational in the consumer sector against alleged failure to comply with supervisory duties regarding its tax function. The underlying allegations evolved during tax field audits. The defense required combined tax and legal experience and resulted in settlements in favor of the taxpayers.
Represented a major media company in a VAT hearing on the VAT rating for electronic newspapers. The win for the taxpayer could have far-reaching effects on the VAT treatment of a range of digital newspapers and other digital publications, benefiting publishers of all sizes.
Awards and recognition
2022 International Tax Review (ITR) European Tax Awards:
Deloitte in EMEA won 32 awards, including regional awards: EMEA Tax Firm of the Year and EMEA Tax Compliance & Reporting Firm of the Year for the sixth consecutive year. The network received the EMEA Tax Innovator Firm of the Year for the third consecutive time. Other regional distinctions include Diversity Equity and Inclusion Firm of the Year, Indirect Tax Firm of the Year, Tax Policy Firm of the Year, and Tax Technology Provider of the Year.
Jurisdiction Awards, in the EMEA region, include:
National Tax Firm of the Year awards: Africa, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, CEE, Romania
National Transfer Pricing Firm of the Year awards: Austria, Baltic States, Belgium, CEE, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Middle East, Norway, Portugal, Sweden
National Tax Disputes Firm of the Year awards: Poland, Romania
National Indirect Tax Firm of the Year awards: Germany, Luxembourg
Recognized leaders:
Euromoney and International Tax Review – Experts Guide/World Tax guide: Over 300 leaders across the EMEA region were recognized for their individual abilities, as well as for their in-depth capabilities, experience, and knowledge:
77 leaders in Euromoney’s 2022 Tax Experts Guide; and
254 leaders in ITR’s World Tax guide 2023.
2023 World Tax and World Transfer Pricing tier rankings:
World Tax: Deloitte received more tier one (86) and tier two (52) rankings than ever before.
Eminent leaders
Africa Tax & Legal - Tax Controversy Leaders
Bernard Mofokeng
Head of Tax Controversy
Deloitte Africa Tax & Legal
Asiata Agboluaje
Partner: Legal & Regulatory (West Africa)
Deloitte Africa Tax & Legal
Doris Gichuru
Partner (East Africa)
Deloitte Africa Tax & Legal
Patrick Chege
Associate Director (East Africa)
Deloitte Africa Tax & Legal
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