Category: Tax

Zdenko Tomanović In International, Regulatory, Tax, White-collar

Successful challenge to an initial tax report, in a multimillion EUR tax case with the Tax Authority

Sector: Regulatory, Corporate Taxation

Practice Area: Dispute resolution, Tax & Regulatory

Following a negative initial tax report by the inspectors, in a multimillion taxation matter covering issues of VAT applicability, the firm was engaged to assist with challenging the initial report and addressing the various related matters – including preliminary measures.

The firm successfully represented the client, a large international corporate entity with significant business presence in Serbia, managing to overturn the initial report already at the stage before the first instance tax decision.

It is very rare that the Tax Authority agrees to revoke their arguments in the preliminary stage before the first instance decision, by way of an amended initial report. However, by raising a number of substantive and procedural objections at this early stage and pro-actively engaging with the authorities, the client managed to overturn the initial findings, and the Tax Authority completed the relevant control without any irregularities found.

Zdenko Tomanović In Tax, Technology

Successful dismissal of a large technology sector tax case

Sector: Technology

Practice Area: Regulatory & Tax

The firm acted for multiple defendants in a high-value tax investigation concerning certain asset transfers and licenses in the cross-border technology space. The investigation, which was regulatory in nature, was also handled by the Basic and High Prosecutor’s Office due to allegations of criminal tax evasion and money laundering. Following the challenge of the various allegations of the authorities, and addressing the complex factual matrix which prompted the authorities to initiate the case, the firm successfully acted for the parties and achieved a dismissal of the investigation. In addition to the Serbian law, the case also involved offshore jurisdictions and international taxation matters.

Zdenko Tomanović In Tax, White-collar

Successful acquittal in a major publicized trial

Sector: Infrastructure, Finance, Conglomerates

Practice Area: White-Collar, Tax

In a publicly anticipated and widely reported decision concerning a major case against the shareholder of a regional conglomerate and various connected entities, the Appeal Court in Belgrade addressing the matter which emerged from a complex privatization of infrastructure sector companies fully accepted the arguments put forward in the submitted appeals and ordered a full acquittal of our clients.

The Appeals Court overturned the highly criticized and legally flawed first instance decision, which sought to impose effectively multimillion EUR retroactive tax obligations on a criminal law plane.

The decision marks and end to 10 years of proceeding before the Prosecutor and the relevant Courts which were followed by intense media and wide-ranging political interest in the case.

The defendants were awarded full costs in the case and are seeking redress for the damages caused by the unjustified investigations and trial in various proceedings.