Tax law

Are you looking to lodge an objection against a tax assessment notice? Are you dissatisfied with the actions of a tax auditor? Are you wondering if it could be worth taking matters to tax court?

If you are asking yourself any of these questions, you have come to the right place. Of course, we are also happy to provide advice on other tax law matters. Tax law encompasses much more than just preparing tax returns. The Tax Code and the laws, guidelines and directives of the tax authorities specifically regulate not only your obligations in the tax assessment process, but also your rights. At every stage of the tax assessment process, it is therefore important to consider where the scope of action of the tax authorities ends and where your rights have been violated.

"Our Firm places special emphasis on expertise, professionalism, commitment, trust and teamwork to achieve the goals set with you. This includes giving you our time, keeping you informed of the status of any proceedings, and making our fee calculation transparent."

Guiding principle of our Firm

Was the tax office still allowed to issue the tax assessment notice, or had the statute of limitations already expired and should the notice therefore be revoked? Can the tax office subsequently amend a final tax assessment notice or is this no longer permissible? Can you be held liable as a third-party debtor for someone else's tax? What tax peculiarities arise for married couples? Should you switch to individual taxation or can you take advantage of the tax benefits of joint taxation without being held responsible for your spouse's tax debts? These and many other procedural questions must be critically examined at every stage, as they can tip the balance in a dispute with the tax office in your favour.

"Often, it is not the specific tax laws that determine the outcome of a dispute with the tax authorities, but rather the procedural regulations, which we can use as points of reference to gain the upper hand. Therefore, the provisions of the Tax Code must be the advisor’s primary focus at all times."

Quote by Prof Dr Carmen Griesel

This goes to show that successful tax consultancy closely links legal approaches with matters related to taxes. Therefore, we see tax law as an interdisciplinary area in which legal and tax consultancy are closely intertwined. We remain true to this consultancy approach and place value on ensuring that our staff have dual qualifications. At our Firm, you will often meet tax advisors who are also lawyers or business lawyers, and vice versa. In this way, we can explore your professional issues from all conceivable angles and fully address the specifics of your case.

In doing so, we will not hesitate to tell you if we consider the prospects of success of a particular approach to be low and will show you alternative approaches. Flexibility and creativity pave the way for optimal problem solving. And remember that going to court is not always the best way to resolve your case.

We look forward to working with you and your tax advisor to identify and successfully resolve your tax-related matters – whether before tax courts or in a direct dispute with the tax authorities.

Your contact person

Prof Dr Jürgen Mertes, LL.M.
Auditor, Tax Advisor, Managing Director
Prof Dr Carmen Griesel
Lawyer, Tax Advisor, Partner - Managing Director
  • Tax
  • Law
Tax consultancy

We understand tax consultancy as a holistic approach that encompasses comprehensive analysis, planning, and optimisation of tax matters for individuals, businesses, organisations and institutions. Ensuring compliance with tax obligations, from financial accounting to tax declarations, is also part of the tax consultancy services offered by GKM Tax and Law.

Tax structuring

As stated in a Federal Court of Justice ruling from as early as 1965: "Whoever has the duty to pay taxes also has the right to save on taxes." To achieve this, the lawyers and tax advisors here at GKM Tax and Law utilise their extensive knowledge to plan and structure your taxes with utmost care and in compliance with all legal regulations. Our goal? Minimise your tax burden transparently and efficiently.

Financial auditing

The area of financial auditing encompasses a huge variety of content. From the audit of the annual financial statements by our associated partners to financial advice matters or the support of M&A deals, GKM Tax and Law offers a whole range of consultancy services.

Private clients

Advising private clients is a specialised service of GKM Tax and Law that is tailored to the individual needs of high-net-worth individuals. It encompasses an extensive range of services aimed at protecting, managing, and optimising wealth.

Corporate law

Corporate law and tax law are inherently linked, as the legal structure of a company has direct implications for its taxes. Changes in the corporate structure can trigger tax consequences, and tax planning requires a thorough understanding of corporate legal frameworks. A holistic view of both legal areas is therefore crucial to reconcile legal and tax aspects and achieve optimal results.

Tax law

The combination of tax knowledge and legal expertise enables us to work out accurate solutions to complex matters. We consider the entirety of tax law and not just individual specialised regulations.

Legal representation

Successful representation in legal proceedings requires expertise, strategic planning, evidence-based argumentation, strong communication and negotiation skills, assertiveness, as well as effective teamwork and resource management. You will find all of this and more at GKM Tax and Law. Our team has an exceptionally high level of experience in the field of successful legal representation, whether in tax court proceedings or in civil and labour law cases.

Contract law and drafting of contracts

Contract law and drafting are essential components of structural tax planning. The goal here is to create clear and fair contracts that consider the interests of all parties and minimise legal risks. Our lawyers will help ensure that previously devised strategies are implemented in the most optimal way possible.

Civil law

Our lawyers will advise, represent, and support you in all civil law matters. This includes, for example, analysing legal matters, drafting legal documents such as complaint letters or contracts, representing clients in court and in out-of-court negotiations, and developing strategies to uphold our clients' interests.