The tax lawyer: who is he? What can it bring you?
A tax lawyer is a specialist in tax law, able to deliver relevant advice and defend his clients in matters of investment, tax reduction, tax exemption. He works for both businesses and individuals.
For this, he followed a long course of study, most often with a Master’s degree in tax law, and also passed the CAPA (Certificate of Aptitude for the Profession of Lawyer). Its skills are broad in order to protect the interests of its clients.
The studies of the tax lawyer
The tax lawyer is also called tax adviser, tax lawyer, tax lawyer or more simply tax specialist. Under its different names, only those who have the CAPA are eligible for the title of lawyer. This is a competition to access the profession of lawyer, after 18 months of training in a CRFPA (Regional Center for Professional Training of Lawyers) in addition to initial studies.
To this end, the tax lawyer has completed at least a Master 1 in law, all branches and specialties combined, whether in public or private law. But generally, tax lawyers do not specialize for nothing in tax law, they were attracted by this specific subject at the crossroads of law, economics and accounting.
Thus, it is not uncommon for them to have studied in a business school, have worked in a financial institute or have done accounting. Moreover, it is the most versatile profiles that are the most sought after. Indeed, a broad understanding of economic issues is appreciated so that the tax specialist becomes a true partner.
Tax lawyers can practice in large companies, in a specialized firm or even on their own. In addition to an in-depth knowledge of the legislation and tax standards in force, they must exercise a permanent watch to update their skills. Organization, rigor but also the spirit of synthesis and analysis are essential to their job.
If they are of course specialized in tax law, a solid culture in commercial law, administrative law, company law, business law and property law is essential. Because the tax lawyer is required to support his clients according to his competitors, but also to understand the statutes and branches of activity of each.
Its role in business
As a privileged intervener in companies, the tax lawyer can support SMEs and multinationals on an ad hoc or regular basis. His missions are varied and he is the specialist called upon as soon as a project arises.
Thus, the tax specialist accompanies all the tax procedures of the professionals:
- For merger or acquisition projects: he has an advisory role, and is able to put together the file from A to Z on the financial plan
- For investment needs: whether it is the development of an activity, a new operation, a location abroad, he gives his expert point of view and completes the tax formalities in the business interest
- For wealth management: he advises the company to protect it and protect it from financial needs, whether financial or real estate investments, his role is to optimize his client’s wealth
- For the protection of the interests of the company: he is present in the event of a tax audit, but also to manage disputes with the tax authorities, suppliers and customers
- For declarative acts: he can offer his help to the accountant for the declaration of corporate taxes, the control of tax returns, the payment of V.A.T., sales and transfers of business assets, etc.
As you will have understood, the scope of the steps he can take is great and the complexity of the cases he is called upon to deal with can be significant. The tax lawyer makes his skills available to optimize the taxation of the company in all circumstances in compliance with the laws.
Its role with individuals
Contact person of choice for individuals, the tax lawyer can help you in all your procedures with the tax authorities. Knowing at the fingertips the tax declarations on income from work, the tax declarations on movable and immovable income but also those relating to the IFI (Tax on Real Estate Wealth), the tax specialist knows how to advise you on a declaration in good standing, but is also a good analyst to give you food for thought in terms of tax exemption.
His role with individuals does not stop there, and he advises you on legal and tax matters in the following areas:
- Tax declaration: he masters this area and makes you benefit from the deductions, the best tax choices, the reductions and tax credits to which you are eligible
- Patrimonial law: it intervenes in the calculations of the rights of succession, transfer, the formalization of the donations by making you benefit from the best tax options
- Regularization and tax audit: it helps the taxpayer in the event of an erroneous tax declaration and provides you with support and advice in the event of a tax audit or tax adjustment
Ultimately, the objective of a tax lawyer is to assist the individual in tax law by ensuring compliance with procedures, by defending his economic and legal interests, but also to optimize the assets of his clients by providing valuable advice on savings, movable and immovable investments as well as existing tax exemption systems.
When to call a tax lawyer?
As an individual, the assistance of a tax lawyer is relevant for large accounts, for those who have significant assets and therefore pay significant taxes.
Below 12,000 euros in taxes, a one-off consultation may be justified, particularly in the event of a tax audit. But due to the high fees of the tax specialist, a first approach, patrimonial and very often free, is recommended.
An online heritage audit, carried out by a financial expert specializing in tax exemption, is a very popular alternative for taxpayers to take stock of their objectives, their needs, and to make savings quickly at a lower cost.