What the service includes
The difference between tax advice on a specific transaction and tax planning lies in the horizon. Planning concerns not one operation but how the business as a whole will pay tax over the next several years: at its current scale, as it grows, and in the event of a sale or a handover to the next generation.
We review the current structure of the business, assess the tax burden under different scenarios and propose an action plan, from the choice of tax regime to the organisation of intra-group settlements. The line between lawful optimisation and aggressive tax planning that attracts the attention of the Federal Tax Service is a fine one, and we are always on the side of the former.
We also advise on the tax aspects of passing a business to the next generation or to a partner. This is a moment that is often overlooked until the need for a transfer actually arises, although the right tax structure is put in place in advance, not at the last minute.
What the service includes:
Who it is for
The situations clients most often bring to us on this topic.
How we work
A fixed fee and a clear plan of action, agreed before work begins. The timeframes below are indicative and depend on the complexity of the case.
Analysis of the current structure
We study how the business currently pays tax and compare it with what the structure could look like under reasonable optimisation. Timeframe: 1-2 weeks.
Scenario modelling
We calculate the tax burden under several development options: growth in turnover, a change of regime, a change in the group structure. Timeframe: 2-3 weeks.
Action plan
We prepare a written plan with specific steps and deadlines, not abstract recommendations. Timeframe: 1 week.
Implementation support
We help carry out the plan and adjust it as legislation or the business changes. Timeframe: on request.
What you will need at the start
We confirm the exact list for your situation at the consultation. This is a guide so that you arrive at the first meeting prepared.
Key figures
Experience in this practice area specifically, not in practice as a whole.
Common mistakes
A structure with no genuine business purpose. A scheme built solely to cut tax, with no other economic rationale, is the first thing the Federal Tax Service looks at in an audit and the first ground for recharacterising transactions.
One-off planning with no periodic review. A structure built five years ago for the legislation of the time may create risks today. Tax planning requires regular checking against current requirements.
Planning at the level of a single transaction only. Optimising one operation without regard to the business as a whole can sometimes create risks elsewhere. Decisions need to be assessed together, not in isolation.
What you get
A written plan with specific steps. Not abstract recommendations but a workable plan of action, with the reasoning behind each step.
A clear tax burden for years ahead. The owner understands how today’s decisions will affect tax under different scenarios for the business.
Lower risk of additional assessments. A structure built with a genuine business purpose is considerably more resilient to recharacterisation in an audit.
Readiness to scale or hand over the business. The tax aspects of growth or of passing the business to a successor are thought through in advance, not dealt with after the event.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How does tax planning differ from tax consulting on a transaction?+
Transaction consulting answers a question about a specific operation here and now, whereas planning builds a business strategy for years ahead. The two differ in horizon and depth, although they sometimes go hand in hand.
Where is the line between lawful optimisation and a risky scheme?+
The line is whether each step has a genuine business purpose beyond the tax saving. If a structure is built solely to reduce tax and serves no other purpose, the risk of recharacterisation by the Federal Tax Service is high, and we always say so frankly at the planning stage.
Does the tax strategy need reviewing if the business is not changing?+
Yes. Even if the business stays the same, legislation and Federal Tax Service practice change, so it makes sense to check the current structure against up-to-date requirements every 1-2 years.
Is tax planning suitable for a small business, or only for large companies?+
The principles apply at any scale, but the economic benefit of in-depth planning becomes more noticeable as turnover grows. For a small business, a one-off consultation on choosing a tax regime is often enough.
Do you guarantee that the structure will not raise questions with the Federal Tax Service?+
Nobody can give absolute guarantees. But a structure with a genuine business purpose and proper documentation significantly reduces the risks and strengthens the company’s position in the event of an audit.
Do you provide tax planning for individuals, not only for businesses?+
Yes. We separately advise owners on personal tax residency and the structuring of personal assets, including those with an international element.