Sectors
We advise clients in every sector. In these five we have years of experience and close contacts, and knowing how a sector makes its money changes how the tax rules apply to it.
Property
Property is taxed where it sits, and often again where its owner lives. We advise families, funds, developers and listed companies on acquiring, holding, developing and disposing of real estate in more than one country.
Acquisition
How a purchase is structured determines the transfer taxes and registration fees, and the tax on rental income and gains for years afterwards.
Holding
Holding property personally, through a company, or through a trust or foundation leads to different tax where the property is located and where the owner is resident. In the UAE, for example, an individual's rental income is generally outside corporate tax unless the activity requires a licence, while a foreign company that owns UAE property must register.
Disposal
Tax on the gain, withholding on the sale, and relief in one country for tax already paid in another.
Property funds and REITs
In some jurisdictions, including the UAE, funds and real estate investment trusts that hold property may be exempt from corporate tax if they meet conditions on their investors, listing and activities.
Finance
Banks, funds, insurers and investment managers are often taxed in several jurisdictions at once, and their clients' tax position depends on what they report. We advise on how the business, its products and its investors are taxed.
Funds
Where a fund is resident, whether it can claim an exemption, and how investors are taxed on its distributions. In the UAE, a qualifying investment fund may apply for exemption from corporate tax if it meets conditions on its investors and activities.
Lending and financing
Interest, withholding on cross-border payments, and the terms of loans between companies in the same group.
Investment managers
We write opinions for licensed investment managers on whether a client must be reported under FATCA or the Common Reporting Standard, and check that bank mandates record the correct tax residence.
Oil and gas
Oil and gas projects cross borders from the first contract. We advise operators, contractors, service companies and investors on the tax that follows the project, its equipment and its people.
Concessions and production
Upstream income is often taxed under the terms of the concession or production agreement rather than under ordinary corporate tax. In the UAE, an extractive business may be exempt from federal corporate tax where it is taxed at emirate level and the Ministry of Finance has been notified.
Contractors and services
Whether a contract creates a taxable presence in the host country, withholding on service fees, and relief under tax treaties.
Rotational staff
Tax residence and payroll for staff who work in one country and live in another.
Acquisitions and disposals of interests
The tax consequences, for buyer and seller, of a sale of an interest in a field, a licence or a service company.
Sports and entertainment
Player transfers, international racing careers and regional broadcasting rights involve tax questions in more than one system. We advise the people, organisations and investors involved in sport and entertainment.
Talent
We advise athletes, performers and their agents on tax residence, performance income, endorsements and image rights. Under most tax treaties, a performer or athlete may be taxed in the country where they perform, however short the visit, as well as where they live.
Clubs, teams and investors
We advise on the tax consequences of ownership, investment and transactions involving a franchise, club or production company across borders.
Rights holders and commercial partners
We advise on who is taxed, in which jurisdiction and what tax is withheld on payments for sponsorship, broadcasting, licensing and streaming.
Consumer goods
Consumer brands sell in many countries, often through distributors and online, and many are family owned. We advise on how the group, its brands and its supply chain are taxed.
Cross-border sales
Whether sales create a taxable presence, and the VAT due where customers are located.
Excise
Excise on products such as tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened drinks. Since 1 January 2026 the UAE has taxed sweetened drinks according to their sugar content.
Brands
Where a brand is owned, and the royalties paid for its use.
Supply chain
Pricing between the companies that manufacture, move and sell the goods.
