Firms To Watch: Tax

Edmundo Cavalcanti Eichenberg leads the tax team at Eichenberg, Lobato, Abreu & Advogados Associados, which is active in the real estate, construction, and agribusiness sectors, handling both contentious and non-contentious tax work.
Under the leadership of Marcelo Ilarraz, Ilarraz Advogados assists clients from the construction, infrastructure, real estate, logistics, technology, agribusiness, food, and energy industries with their tax advisory and litigation needs.

Tax in Brazil

Souto Correa Advogados

Demonstrating extensive experience in federal, state and municipal taxes, Souto Correa Advogados possesses a broad service offering, which covers administrative and judicial tax disputes, customs control and regulatory matters. Multinational and major domestic companies turn to the group for advice on high-profile cases before the higher courts, and often seek assistance in tax planning and mandates involving the Free Trade Zone of Manaus. Pedro Demartini leads the national practice from São Paulo. Names to note in Porto Alegre include: Anderson Trautman Cardoso, who focuses on tax litigation and customs; André Luiz Da Silva Gomes, who handles tax consultancy, with a special emphasis on corporate and individual income tax; and Henry Lummertz, who has a strong track record in proceedings before the Superior Court of Justice and the Brazilian Supreme Court. Valter Tremarin Junior, who is skilled in administrative court cases at the federal level, especially before the Board of Tax Appeals, stands out at the associate level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pedro Demartini


Les références

‘Souto Correa has very qualified professionals inserted in the business environment through associations and professional entities. For the business context, this is considered very relevant as the team is always connected to the current reality. We were successful in all contracted services.’

‘Anderson Trautman always handles topics with great serenity and demonstrates great knowledge.’

Principaux clients

NTT Brasil


Pearson Education


Atvos Agroindustrial


Braskem


Samsung


Dell


99 Tecnologia


Medabil


Casio


Buser


Construtora Norberto Odebrecht


Sanofi-Aventis


BRK Ambiental


CERAN


Knauf Isopor da Amazônia


Celulose Irani


TozziniFreire Advogados

Sitting within the firm’s national tax offering, the Porto Alegre-based tax department at TozziniFreire Advogados acts for clients from a wide range of industries, including energy, infrastructure, consumer goods, agribusiness, and manufacturing, among others. ‘Distinguished by the high level of technique and the quality of the services provided‘, the team offers representation in judicial and administrative proceedings at the local, state, and federal levels, demonstrating particular strength in cases concerning corporate income tax, services tax, and tax on manufactured products. On the consultancy front, the practice is active in tax planning and in the structuring of major corporate transactions. Corporate tax expert Gustavo Nygaard and Rafael Mallmann, who specialises in tax litigation, jointly head up the group, where associate Bernardo Mascarenhas Mardini is recommended for contentious matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gustavo Nygaard


Les références

‘Tozzini Freire takes care of tax processes with the highest quality, impeccable service, and speed.’

‘Tozzini’s Porto Alegre Tax team is distinguished by the high level of technique and the quality of the services provided, combined with agility and excellent returns and results in the actions they carry out. Another excellent differential is that they do not use difficult language and large texts, and their guidelines is direct and clear.’

‘The entire team is recommended.’

Principaux clients

Grupo Rumo


Grupo Renner


Processor Soluções Tecnológicas para Negócios


Grupo Sodexo


Companhia Estadual de Transmissão de Energia Elétrica


Ecoplan Engenharia


Zenvia Mobile Serviços Digitais


Grupo Dimed


RGE Sul Distribuidora de Energia


Banco de Lage Landen


Empresas Randon


Ford Motor Company Brasil


Fagundes Mineração


Grupo GG10


Goemil


Spal Indústria Brasileira de Bebidas


Bsbios Industria e Comercio de Biodiesel Sul Brasil


Thoughtworks Brasil


MRC Soluções em Logística Ferroviária Vnte-Al


Grupo RBS


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing CEEE-T in a group of 81 administrative proceedings and one judicial proceeding concerning the right of CEEE-T to calculate and pay PIS/COFINS considering the cumulative regime.
  • Representing Processor in a judicial proceeding challenging the ISS tax liability, charged by the Municipality of Porto Alegre due to the software licensing carried out by the company.
  • Representing Lojas Renner in a judicial proceeding challenging two tax assessment notices issued by the Rio de Janeiro State Revenue due to the loss of ICMS credits acquired by Renner from Cooperativa Cantagalo.

CMT – Carvalho, Machado e Timm Advogados

CMT – Carvalho, Machado e Timm Advogados‘ tax and customs team provides consultancy and litigation services to a range of clients across the agriculture, automotive, food and beverage, furniture, cellulose, mining, IT, retail, and financial services segments. On the advisory front, the group assists clients with international tax planning, tax benefits, and transfer pricing. These are all core areas of focus for practice co-head Cristiano Carvalho. Fellow co-leader Lucas Tavares Dos Santos and Reginaldo Dos Santos Bueno, who was elevated to partner in 2022, are key contacts for strategic tax disputes. Senior associate Eduardo Manfroi Rosito focuses on advisory work, which encompasses direct and indirect tax, social security and international taxation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Cristiano Rosa de Carvalho


Les références

‘Lawyers excel in tax matters and are up-to-date on topics. They get back to you in a timely manner, and the support is always detailed.’

‘Reginaldo Bueno and Lucas Santos are proactive and aware of demands.’

‘The team offers a differentiated service and designs strategies aligned with client needs.’

Principaux clients

General Motors


John Deere Brasil


CMPC Celulose RioGrandense


Midea Carrier


Unimil


Expedia Group


Leroy Merlin


PPG Industrial Tintas do Brasil


Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida


Metasa


JBS


Usina São José


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Seara before TARF/RS to reverse a negative decision seeking the recognition of the nullity on the assessments on an inadequate legal ground of the tax charge.
  • Assisted John Deere in three Notices of Infraction relating to ICMS.
  • Acted as a legal partner to the South Summit Brazil, evaluating the project’s taxation and assessing a tax benefit for the events and tourism sector.

Rafael Pandolfo Advogados Associados

Covering both advisory and contentious matters, Rafael Pandolfo Advogados Associados acts for companies operating in an array of sectors, including agribusiness, energy, retail, sports and healthcare. As part of its non-contentious offering, the practice attracts instructions from clients seeking advice on tax benefits, legislation, tax planning, and corporate restructuring. Founding partner Rafael Pandolfo is highly adept at conducting tax cases before the superior courts, while fellow co-founder Rafael Santos Borin has extensive experience in both non-contentious tax and administrative litigation. Airton Bombardeli Riella leads the department’s pro-bono services.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rafael Pandolfo; Rafael Santos Borin; Airton Bombardeli Riella


Silveiro Advogados

Silveiro Advogados‘ 'highly qualified' tax team undertakes a wide range of both litigation and advisory work, including tax matters regarding estate and succession reorganisation. Real estate, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, financial services, and education are all key sectors of focus for the group, which is under the leadership of Cassiano Menke, an 'expert in tax law'. Key support is offered by Louise Lerina Fialho, who is experienced in tax litigation and planning mandates. Maria Angelica Feijo left the firm in September 2022.

Responsables de la pratique:

Cassiano Menke


Les références

‘Silveiro’s team is highly qualified. In addition to having a great professional experience, they are also directly inserted in the academic environment, which makes Silveiro’s professionals much more creative and able to explore and elaborate different tax theses.’

‘Cassiano Menke is an extremely experienced professional, an expert in tax law, he masters the subject like few others and he also uses a language that is easy to understand for someone who is not in the area.’

‘They are tireless, super accessible to clients, have excellent relationships in the legal and judicial environment and have abundant knowledge.’

Principaux clients

Rio Bravo Gestora de Investimentos


Novelis do Brasil


Lojas Quero-Quero


Grupo Terra Santa


Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliários


TMSA


Imdepa Rolamentos Importação e Comércio


Bebidas Fruki


Grupo Gerdau de Participações


Fleury


Lojas Riachuelo


Cia. Hering


Oi


Fraport Brasil


Sim Rede de Postos


SULGÁS


Tupy


WEG


Petrobahia


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Fraport on the taxation of the economic and financial adjustment of the airports concession contracts.
  • Assisting Grupo Gerdau de Participações in numerous contentious and non-contentious tax matters.
  • Acted for Sicredi Cooperatives in the filing of lawsuits to remove its obligation to pay PIS on its payrolls.

Trench Rossi Watanabe

A reference in the market for tax advice on highly complex or impactful issues‘, Trench Rossi Watanabe‘s Porto Alegre office demonstrates strength in international tax law, which enables it to advise clients on inbound and outbound projects. Complex litigation before administrative and judicial courts is a key area of strength for the group, which is also regularly engaged by clients from the IT, agribusiness, and automotive industries (among others) in tax planning and the structuring of M&A transactions. The ‘always availableClaudio Moretti, who is skilled in tax litigation involving direct and indirect tax, jointly chairs the department with Thales Stucky, a contact for tax disputes at the judicial and administrative levels. Since publication, associate Livia Stumpf has left the firm.

Responsables de la pratique:

Claudio Moretti; Thales Stucky


Les références

‘The competence, dedication and kindness of professionals towards their clients makes the firm stand out. The importance given to the topic of diversity is crystal clear.’

‘Partner Cláudio Moretti is always available and has in-depth knowledge of the topics addressed to him.’

‘The tax department at Trench Rossi Watanabe (Porto Alegre) is excellent and is a reference in the market for tax advice on highly complex or impactful issues.’

Principaux clients

Dell Computadores do Brasil


Midea Carrier


Android Industries


Alliance One Brasil Exportadora de Tabacos


Stihl Ferramentas Motorizadas


Perto S/A Periféricos de Automação


Lactalis do Brasil


Alisul Alimentos


Harman do Brasil


Comexport Companhia de Comércio Exterior


Vibra Agroindustrial


Estratégia Concursos


Diamaju Agrícola


Veritas Technology


Culligan International


Brasil PCH


Groupon


Eaton


Anglogold Ashanti Colombia


China Tabaco Internacional do Brasil


Forest First Colombia


Leadec Serviços Industriais do Brasil


Primadera


Vyaire Medical Sarl


Diageo do Brasil


First Global Xpress


Stone Pagamentos


Bemis do Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Embalagens


Arauco do Brasil


SalesForce


Active Campaign


Stellantis


Marcopolo


Randon


Grendene


3G Radar


Fraport Airports


Mercedes-Benz


Promob Softwares


BRF


Dorf Ketal do Brasil


Prollenium Medical Technologies


Marriott International


The GSI Group


BRDE


Ebanx


KDB Importação e Exportação


Tecadi Armazéns Gerais


Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Óleos Vegetais


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Dell Computadores do Brasil in a dispute to challenge the revocation of the benefit related to the application of the zero rate of PIS/COFINS on the sale of certain IT products.
  • Assisted Active Campaign with the tax and contractual structure of the international inter-company transactions related to the services provided by a Brazilian subsidiary.
  • Represented Alliance One in a dispute involving ICMS credits.

Diego Galbinski Advocacia

The tax team at Diego Galbinski Advocacia offers national advice to clients engaged in non-contentious matters, administrative proceedings and judicial litigation, including cases before the superior courts. Its client roster features companies from a variety of industries, ranging from agribusiness and healthcare to telecoms, energy, real estate and construction. Founding partner and practice head Diego Galbinski Advocacia is ‘an extremely qualified professional with extensive experience in tax matters’. Associates Pedro Acosta De Oliveira and Arthur Rocha Benevides Magalhães offer support in auditing and tax compliance matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Diego Galbinski


Les références

‘The service provided is exceptional. The team has great technical quality.’

‘Diego Galbinski is an extremely qualified professional with extensive experience in tax matters. In addition to great technical capacity, he is tireless in client service.’

Principaux clients

Enecon


Sane


Sul Alfa Distribuidora


Nexxt Distribuidora de Alimentos e Bebidas


Altemo Advogados Associados


Somai Nordeste


Maxinvest Participações e Investimentos


Divax Participações e Investimentos


Centro De Produção Riograndense de Espumas Industriais


Rafebe Participações


Fundação de Apoio da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul


Fundação Empresa-escola de Engenharia da UFRGS


Auxiliadora Predial


Cooperativa dos Agricultores de Plantio Direto do Rio Grande do Sul


Clube Maxivida


Conselho Seccional da Ordem dos Advogados do Rio Grande do Sul


Maximidia Administradora e Corretora de Seguros


Elipse Software


Lamiecco Plásticos


Ducasse Brasil Estruturas, Construções E Incorporações


Lauro Weber & Cia


We Can BR


Pet Flake do Brasil


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Rafebe Participações in administrative proceedings.
  • Represented Fundação de Apoio da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in a lawsuit to recognise the right to exemption from social security contributions.
  • Represented OAB/RS in a direct unconstitutionality Action against Complementary Law no. 859, of September 3, 2019.

Rafael Nichele Advogados Associados

Bringing together lawyers specialised in tax, senior consultants and accountants, Rafael Nichele Advogados Associados is proficient in federal, state and municipal taxes. Singled out for its experience in the agribusiness and retail sectors, the group is particularly active in contentious tax matters, including proceedings at the judicial and administrative levels. Founding partner Rafael Nichele draws on his former experience as a judge of the Administrative Court of Appeals to assist clients in complex tax disputes. Tax litigator Eduardo Barboza Dos Santos is another core member of the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rafael Nichele


Principaux clients

Pif Paf


Fricasa


Uniaves


Tial Alimentos


Banco Digimais


Cooperalfa


Rodoparaná


Cooperativa Suinco


Kabel


Cassol – Administradora De Cartões


Cassol Log


Comércio de Medicamentos Brair – FSJ


Cooperativa Languiru – Coolan


Principaux dossiers


  • Represents Comércio de Medicamentos Brair in a lawsuit about the right not to include the ICMS tax incentives in the calculation base of federal taxes.
  • Assisting Cooperative Dália Alimentos in the fiscal, logistical and commercial restructuring of the company in order to achieve the indices provided by law for the use of Presumed ICMS credits.
  • Represented Cooperative Languiru in a judicial proceeding seeking the right to PIS and COFINS credits on the acquisition of goods for resale.

Rossi, Maffini, Milman & Grando Advogados

Rossi, Maffini, Milman & Grando Advogados has substantial experience in tax-related litigation before administrative and judicial courts, acting for clients from a broad range of industries. The practice is also strong on the advisory side, showcasing strong capabilities in tax planning, transactional matters and accounting issues. Spearheading the practice, Felipe Esteves Grando has a wealth of experience in litigation and consultancy matters. Tax litigator Jéssica Allgayer is a key contact for clients from the transport, construction and logistics sectors, while Bruno François Guimarães focuses on strategic tax planning.

Responsables de la pratique:

Felipe Grando


Les références

‘Matters are always treated seriously and the lawyers demonstrate in-depth knowledge.’

Principaux clients

Lear do Brasil


Eco Diagnóstica


Arauco do Brasil


The Brazilian Association of Medical and Hospital Devices and Equipment’s Industry


Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento Extremo Sul


Bimbo do Brasil


Amvian Indústria Automotiva


Rio Grande do Sul Date Processing Company


Lifemed Industrial


PRT Prestação de Serviços


Eldorado Mineração


J Anflor Eletrônicos Eireli


SPE Holding Beira Rio


Cooperativa Agroindustrial Cooperja


Local Association of Gravel, Sand and Clay Producers


Bolognesi Engenharia e Bolognesi Empreendimentos


Opus Assessoria e Promoções Artísticas


Cristália Produtos Químicos Farmacêuticos.


Medabil Indústria em Sistemas Construtivos


SL do Brasil


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Arauco Indústria de Painéis in an administrative proceeding against the Rio Grande do Sul State Tax Authority involving ICMS credits.
  • Represented Abastec – Abastecimento, Lavagens E Lubrificação in a proceeding before the State of Rio Grande do Sul in relation to ICMS amounts due for tax substitution refunded by the company.
  • Assisted PRT Prestação de Serviços in two transactions before the National Treasury Attorney’s Office, involving tax and social security debts that were being collected in court.

Veirano Advogados

With notable strength in contentious matters, Veirano Advogados demonstrates expertise in administrative proceedings and legal claims at the federal levels. On the advisory side, the practice is adept at advising companies on the application and usage of tax incentives, in particular those related to the Manaus Free Trade Zone; restructurings, tax planning, and due diligence of M&A transactions are other core areas of activity for the department. Associate Fabio Barichello, who advises clients from the IT, oil and gas, manufacturing and construction industries on administrative and judicial tax litigation, leads the practice that also includes associate Renan de Vargas Barreto.

Responsables de la pratique:

Fabio Basso Barichello


Les références

‘The team provides personalised attention to the needs of the client and the professionals are extremely qualified in their area of expertise, with direct and precise communication.’

‘The team is recognised for being a technical reference in tax law.’

‘Renan Barreto stands out as a diligent, meticulous professional with vast legal knowledge in the tax area.’

Principaux clients

Microsoft Mobile Tecnologia


Philip Morris Brasil


Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense


BSBios Indústria e Comércio de Biodiesel Sul Brasil


TK Elevadores Brasil


SEPCO1 Construções do Brasil


Peccin


Dell Computadores do Brasil


Borrachas Vipal Nordeste


Lojas Renner


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