World Tax has completed the independent research for its annual comprehensive guide to the world’s leading tax firms. According to the guide EPAM has been ranked among leading law firms for taxes both in Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow-based Tax Practice led by Igor Schikow is supported by a team with abilities in a range of essential tax disciplines and sectors, including M&A, real estate and banking & finance. According to the guide the team is “well-versed in matters related to international tax law.”

Schikow’s team supported a client in adjusting to new deoffshorisation guidelines introduced as part of the newly-enforced controlled foreign companies (CFC) rules. With consideration to the new law, tax specialists defined the potential risks and steps that needed to be introduced to bring the client's activities in line with the new legislation.

Managing Partner of EPAM Ukraine Serhii Sviriba heads Tax Practice, Taxand's exclusive member in Ukraine. Specialising both in handling tax advisory and litigation matters, the Practice has undertaken several projects over the year of varying complexity, supporting clients from all backgrounds, with further experience in advising in tax matters relating to banks, energy, pharmaceuticals, IT and not-for-profit organisations.

According to the guide “the team offers integrated tax advice which encompasses corporate tax, tax structuring, transfer pricing, customs and indirect taxation, as well as representing clients in tax and customs disputes.”

Sviriba’s team worked on one of the key matters acting as lead Ukraine counsel to a private-equity firm in the acquisition of a US IT company operating in Ukraine with regards to limited due diligence on certain tax and legal matters of the Ukrainian business.

The Practice also successfully represented a Ukraine subsidiary of a global TMT solutions provider embroiled in UAH 16 million ($0.75 million) dispute over the application of a VAT exemption to the export of services by a software development company. “The firm applied comprehensive knowledge relating to IP legislation and industry specifics, as well as an understanding of the client's business operations and structure,” the research says.

World Tax, published by International Tax Review, is the guide to the world’s leading tax and accounting practices. Based on external research with advisers and clients by specialist tax journalists, World Tax is the foremost publication of its kind to focus on the leading firms for tax advice around the world. The guide covers more than 50 jurisdictions.

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