09/11/2011 - Campus Röthelheimpark opened
On Tuesday, the WTS branch in Erlangen inaugurated its offices on the former military site in Röthelheimpark, Campus Röthelheimpark. Together with the mayor of Erlangen Dr. Siegfried Balleis as guest speaker, Fritz Esterer, Chairman of WTS, and Andreas Pfaller, WTS branch manager in Erlangen, officially opened the new branch.
04/10/2011 - Real estate: investment in an asset with substance
Especially in times of financial and debt crises real estate is considered to be a solid and attractive form of capital investment. The WTS tax consultancy firm will be present at EXPO REAL 2011 from 4 to 6 October 2011 to present current trends and the latest developments in relation to real estate taxes.
01/09/2011 - Strong foothold in North Africa
WTS Egypt LLC has been formed in Cairo. WTS is one of the leading tax consultancy firms in Germany and has now added a member to the international WTS Alliance network in the North Africa region. The chief executive of WTS Egypt LLC is Dr. Ashraf Hanna, a leading advisor to foreign companies on investment in Egypt.
16/08/2011 - Withholding tax: voluntary tax declaration remains an interesting option
It began as a threat from the former German Federal Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück to send in the cavalry. Protracted negotiations have now culminated in the initialling of a tax treaty governing how both countries deal reciprocally with money invested in Switzerland on a "tax neutral" basis.
10/08/2011 - WTS is breaking new ground with Strunk Kolaschnik
WTS is expanding its advisory services significantly in North Germany and beyond, after successfully developing its business in Hamburg over a period of four years. Its first external cooperation agreement in Germany has been concluded with the highly regarded firm of Strunk Kolaschnik. "WTS is delighted to welcome its new partner. This will enable WTS to continue expanding its national and cross-border tax consultancy on a systematic basis", said Fritz Esterer, chairman of the WTS Group Aktiengesellschaft Steuerberatungsgesellschaft.
09/08/2011 - WTS gains experts from Mazars
The WTS tax consultancy firm has expanded the team led by Prof. Dr. Alexander Hemmelrath. The two highly qualified experts who are joining the firm are Doris Pflieger-Steininger (lawyer and tax advisor) and Peggy Jones (tax advisor).
13/07/2011 - New Partner joins WTS Australia
WTS Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of a new partner, Stuart Horsburgh, to be based in Melbourne. Stuart Horsburgh joins WTS Australia from his consulting practice and was previously a Senior Manager with KPMG and director at BDO prior to his appointment with WTS.
29/06/2011 - Work-enhancing atmosphere and more room for meetings and conferences
The steady growth of the WTS branch in Erlangen has made it necessary to relocate to more spacious offices. WTS is one of the largest tax consultancies in Germany. The advice provided in Erlangen focuses on corporate tax, VAT and Fiscal assessed valuation.
07/06/2011 - Youjin Yi at Kunst am Isartor
The artist Youjin Yi is putting on display her graphical work, drawings and paintings for the opening of the current exhibition. In cooperation with Kunst am Isartor (Art at the Isartor), WTS again provides facilities for art. The works can be viewed until 29 July 2011.
31/05/2011 - Caution, compliance
The North German Business Conference, which is being held today in Hamburg, showcases important expertise relating to business processes, especially for SMEs. Special attention should be paid to gifts, invitations and benefits for third parties. Caution should be recommended from a tax perspective, explain Barbara Degen and Susanne Weber, tax experts at WTS.
19/05/2011 - Playing golf for a good cause
On 13 May 2011, WTS invited representatives from business, high-calibre tax experts and well-known personalities from the world of sport and the media to the WTS Charity Golf Cup on the Gut Riedhof golf course in the south of Munich. The tournament, which was for the benefit of the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation, raised the considerable sum of EUR 65,000. This amount will provide help to the physically and mentally disabled and to those in need through no fault of their own.
12/05/2011 - Business success and social responsibility go hand-in-hand
WTS has been attending and promoting the Gut Immling Opera Festival for many years now, and has been premium festival partner and main sponsor since 2010. "For us, it's not just a matter of patronage", explains Fritz Esterer, chairman of WTS. "We take an active role in social responsibility and are specifically involved in social and cultural projects."
11/05/2011 - The hijacked trademark – when partners become enemies
Intangible assets make a substantial contribution to the total value of a company. Globalisation is increasingly giving rise to non-transparent structures, with a corresponding level of complexity in the overall interaction between tax, law etc. If a dispute also emerges between the partners, a business disaster can quickly develop.
14/04/2011 - Barbara Bernrieder in „Kunst am Isartor“
The current exhibition opens with paintings by the Munich artist Barbara Bernrieder. In cooperation with Kunst am Isartor (Art at the Isartor), the WTS GROUP again provides facilities for art. The exhibition runs until 27 May 2011. On the evening of the opening, guests also have the opportunity to taste the award-winning Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2006.
13/04/2011 - WTS expands customs advisory service
Two customs and international trade experts currently holding senior positions with BMW are joining WTS at the start of May 2011: "With the experience of these two highly respected specialists, we can now offer unique professional skills also in the field of strategic and operational customs and international trade advice", said Fritz Esterer, chairman of the WTS Group tax consultancy firm.
04/04/2011 - Taxpayers left on their own by EU in chain supply issues
Chain transactions are playing an increasing role in international trade. However, they are becoming more and more problematic for companies since the VAT treatment is complex and there is no uniform implementation within the EU. Using examples drawn from practice, experts from ten EU countries and Switzerland will discuss this and other important VAT topics in Düsseldorf on 5 April 2011 at the "International VAT Meeting 2011".
07/03/2011 - WTS Cyprus as new member of WTS Alliance
WTS Alliance, the global network of independent tax consulting firms, announces the admission of a new member, WTS Cyprus. The new addition is focused in the provision of tax services at national and international level.
22/02/2011 - WTS Takes BMW Tax and Customs Manager on Board
The news about Gerd Faber and Prof. Dr. Alexander Hemmelrath joining the WTS GROUP has already caused quite a commotion in the press: With the new partners the WTS Group is now taking two distinguished authorities on board, who can contribute their specialist knowledge above all to consulting services for large groups and private clients.
07/02/2011 - Potential Loss of Reputation as a Result of WikiLeaks
Mid-January 2011 the disclosure platform WikiLeaks received data of suspected tax evaders. These concern individuals who invested funds in offshore financial centres. The sensitive bank data could also incriminate German tax payers. If and to what extend this information will be disclosed is not yet certain. The instrument of voluntary disclosure which particularly in this context might be a way out for tax evaders - at least with regard to the immanent risk of being penalised could become more expensive as of April this year.
26/01/2011 - Austria Abolishes Tax on Credit and Loan Agreements
At the beginning of 2011 group financing in Austria was made significantly easier. Following pressure from banks and politicians the legislator decided to abolish taxes on credit and loan agreements. The amendment which was incorporated into the Austrian legislation accompanying the budget 2011 as a new tax regulation was introduced as an "exchange deal" between the banks and the government to compensate for the stability tax to be paid by banks as of the beginning of this year.
13/01/2011 - Renewable Energies as an Opportunity
At the New Year reception with important representatives from business, finance and industry WTS World Tax Service discussed the following topic: Energy supply on the basis of renewable energies is no longer a mere ecological necessity. Economic benefits and technological innovation provide the basis for a sustainable economic growth. Not least because investments are very promising. According to energy expert Prof. Dr. Hoffschmidt even in the age of renewable energies shortages of supply and a possible blackout are still an issue.
17/12/2010 - Prof. Dr. Alexander Hemmelrath joins WTS Executive Board
The renowned German tax law expert Prof. Dr. Alexander Hemmelrath and his team are joining the WTS Group. With this move WTS - one of the major German tax consulting firms - is expanding its service portfolio, in particular with regard to advice for private clients and owner-managed businesses but also in the field of transaction tax advice.
12/11/2010 - WTS Alliance to Strengthen its Uniform Appearance
The name "WTS" (World Tax Service) will be associated with corporate tax consulting in even more countries around the globe in future. At a convention of international tax consultants in the Italian town of Stresa at Lago Maggiore the foundation of the new WTS Alliance was announced which is now taking the legal form of an association. As a consequence, the members of such network which has been continuously growing since its inception in 2003 will be cooperating even more closely. Already today the concept of WTS Alliance can be considered a success. Since the association has members and cooperation partners in more than 90 countries around the globe, in particular globally active companies can rely on competent and reliable partners. The appearance is now to become more uniform, both in the representation to the outside but also in the day-to-day work.
10/11/2010 - Endy Hupperich in "Kunst am Isartor"
For one year now the inhabitants of Munich have had the chance to admire the works of regional contemporary artists in the immediate vicinity of the Isartor. In the office premises of the WTS Group, one of the major German tax consulting firms, the fifth exhibition will now be opened. In "Finger an die Ecke" (Finger at the Corner) the Munich artist Endy Hupperich gives an overview of his drawings and paintings created in recent years and translates images and messages from graphic design and advertising into painting. From 11 November 2010 to 14 January 2011 the works of the Munich-based artist will be on display. ("Kunst am Isartor", Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 1, Mon-Thu 3-7 pm).
28/10/2010 - WTS World Tax Service Criticizes "Substantial Bureaucratisation"
"The current compromise of the government coalition of CDU/CSU and FDP on green tax sends a proper signal to our industrial clients", said Dr. Karen Möhlenkamp, attorney-at-law at WTS World Tax Service, in a comment on the law accompanying the budget passed by the Federal Parliament on Thursday. "The considerable administrative effort is reprehensible, though."
26/10/2010 - When Investors Want to Sell Their Shares
He is the embodiment of "young, dynamic and successful". 26-year-old Mark Zuckerberg – founder of Facebook – ranks 35th in the current rich list of the American Forbes magazine with an estimated 6.9 billion US dollars of assets. But his company is not yet stock-listed and therefore this huge amount of money is just a theoretical value. A successful start-up does not necessarily mean that the founder will strike it rich. This was underlined by the tax advisors of WTS World Tax Service and the M&A consultants of Cartagena Capital at an event organised by Munich Network.
25/10/2010 - Making and Receiving Gifts Needs to be Learned
Anyone who invites business friends to dinner, gives away football or opera tickets and hands over presents can easily cause the recipient a lot of trouble with the fiscal authorities or even the prosecution. This was underlined by WTS (World Tax Service) in Hamburg. WTS pointed out that travelling and the participation in incentive events almost always cause tax disputes with the fiscal authorities. WTS is now offering seminars on this topic which very often has serious consequences.
14/10/2010 - WTS LEGAL Asset Management launches with one of the biggest teams on the German market
With the new WTS LEGAL Asset Management, WTS Group provides one of the biggest consulting services in the field of Asset Management for the German market. The recently founded WTS LEGAL has initially launched with seven partners and more than 15 colleagues. With this step, WTS Group has become a full service provider in the field of Asset Management.
14/10/2010 - WTS Alliance Extends its Presence in Brazil
The Brazilian tax consulting firm "WTS do Brasil" is extending its presence in the country’s north-eastern region. With its new office in Natal - the capital of the federal state of Rio Grande do Norte - WTS Alliance is now expanding its consulting network to the fastest-growing region of Brazil.
27/09/2010 - “Real estate crisis can now be overcome”
The real estate crisis can probably be overcome quicker than expected. In the forefield to EXPO REAL WTS World Tax Service is talking of a “real estate renaissance”. As one of Germany’s largest tax consultancy firms, WTS will be exhibiting at Europe’s flagship trade fair for commercial real estate and investments from 4 to 6 October, 2010. The Munich-based company will be celebrating its 10th anniversary at the Bavarian state capital's stand (hall A1, exhibition stand 320).
16/09/2010 - Tax optimisation of wind energy projects
Investments in wind power are very promising. Major business decision, however, have to be carefully considered also from a tax point of view, in particular in this industry. This was underlined by WTS World Tax Service just before the opening of the international leading HUSUM Wind Energy 2010 trade show. "For foreign or offshore activities, in particular, the fiscal authorities can provide both tailwind and headwind. Those involved in activities outside the national borders also bear higher tax risks“, says Eva Doyé, lawyer and head of the WTS Hamburg office. “The decisive criteria for investors are not only the legal form but also investment and financing structure as well as depreciation options.“ At the HUSUM Wind Energy trade show WTS - one of the major tax consulting firms in Germany - will offer tax workshops for investors and industrial companies in the wind energy industry (www.wts.de).
15/09/2010 - Quick Test on Energy and Electricity Tax
The German Cabinet has already approved of the legislation accompanying the budget and once it has also been passed by the Federal Parliament and the Federal Council, businesses will be faced with an increased energy and electricity tax burden. This was underlined by WTS World Tax Service in Düsseldorf. To give companies affected by this change the opportunity to take the necessary steps before 1 January 2011, WTS offers a quick test which does not only give businesses certainty for planning but also the chance to benefit from so far unutilized tax optimisation.
15/09/2010 - Roller coaster, chair-o-plane & Co. - photographic positions during the Oktoberfest
Just in time for the 200th anniversary of the Munich Oktoberfest, 'Kunst am Isartor' shows the photo exhibition "Life Coaster" with night shots of fun rides by Daniel Schäfer. Over four years, the artist has taken photos on the world's biggest funfair und is going to show the pictures of his series of works in Munich for the first time. The vernissage is going to take place four days before the start of the Oktoberfest, on Tuesday, 14 September 2010, 7:30 p.m. at the premises of WTS AG Steuerberatungsgesellschaft. The exhibition can be seen until 29 October ('Kunst am Isartor', Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 1, Monday - Thursday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.).
16/08/2010 - WTS Alliance will be represented at the IFA
For the very first time WTS Alliance 2010 is going to be represented at the IFA, Congress of the International Fiscal Association in Rome in front of 1500 participants. From 29 August to 3 September, the worldwide alliance of tax consulting firms will inform about its network's activities in more than 90 countries.
20/07/2010 - Eleven new partners appointed since beginning of the year
With retroactive effect as of the beginning of the fiscal year, the WTS Group has further increased the number of partners. In the course of the last six months, eleven new partners have been appointed to complement the management team, more than ever before in the company’s history. The number of renowned external authorities in particular has been raised significantly.
12/07/2010 - Tax consultants support “Waldpiraten”
Last weekend, WTS World Tax Service hosted a Charity Golf Cup in support of children suffering from cancer. Tax experts from all over Upper Bavaria came together for a round of golf and on this occasion donated 7,500 Euros. The respectable amount will go to the German Childhood Cancer Foundation, in support of the project “Waldpiraten-Camp” (Forest Pirates’ Camp). The project allows young cancer patients to get away from the grim reality of their hospital stays and help them return to normal life.
12/07/2010 - WTS Group joins the premier league in Corporate Tax Law and Asset Management
By welcoming on board four new partners from prominent law firms, WTS completes its service portfolio in the high-end sector and becomes one of the leading full-service providers in Corporate Tax Law and Asset Management.
06/07/2010 - Sven Meyer in "Kunst am Isartor"
With an exhibition of works by Sven Meyer, WTS, one of Germany’s leading tax consulting companies, once again opens the doors to the Munich public. In the third of the exhibition series “Kunst am Isartor” (Art at the Isartor) collages reflect on the role of mass media and political events in the age of perpetual reproductivity.
(“Kunst am Isartor”, Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 1, Mo-Fr 3-6 pm).
02/07/2010 - New Australian Tax Consultancy Joins Global Network WTS Alliance
The global independent professional tax services network, WTS Alliance, announced today that it had admitted an Australian member firm to its network, WTS Australia Consulting & Advisory, a group of experienced Corporate and International Tax Advisers.
28/06/2010 - Cross-border tax consulting services in demand
A small Munich firm with offices in Raubling near Rosenheim has grown to become one of Germany’s largest tax consulting firms over the course of the last ten years. The internationally active tax consulting firm WTS World Tax Service is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Raubling offices this Thursday. SMEs in particular value the work of the Upper Bavarian WTS branch. Due to the proximity to Austria, not only local tax consulting services are in demand but also increasingly international tax expertise. Advice in these matters allows Bavarian companies, for instance, to benefit from Austrian tax breaks on research expenses.
01/06/2010 - German-Brazilian Business Days in Munich: Revenue and tax opportunities in the growth market Brazil
The growth opportunities for German businesses in Brazil are increasing dramatically. World Tax Service WTS headquartered in Munich has recognized this as well and has therefore strengthened its presence in South America. As of the beginning of this year, the tax unit of the law firm “Zilveti e Sanden Advogados” in São Paulo is called “WTS do Brasil” and is part of the WTS Alliance global network.
06/05/2010 - Opera Festival: A Meeting Point for Business Leaders
Once again one of the most famous opera festivals in Bavaria is going to take place in the idyllic surroundings of an equestrian estate in the Chiemgau. In the course of the past few years this festival has become a popular meeting point – also for business leaders, managers and multipliers. World Tax Service WTS is the premium partner of the Gut Immling Opera Festival.
06/05/2010 - Increasing Demand for International Tax Consulting Services
More and more Hamburg-based businesses are seizing the opportunity of achieving future growth by penetrating high-potential markets. One of the key topics at the 6th North German Entrepreneur Convention is internationalization. On that occasion current options for tax planning will be presented by World Tax Service WTS, one of the major German tax consulting firms. The Hamburg office of WTS will celebrate its third anniversary this month.
05/05/2010 - Glove dispute goes to the European Court of Justice
For more than a year a leatherette glove has kept judges at German and European finance courts busy. As World Tax Service WTS reports, the Finance Court Munich voiced doubts about the interpretation of EU law with regard to a dispute between the chief customs office in Munich and a renowned manufacturer of riding gloves. The controversial issue was whether a specific treatment made a leatherette glove a textile under customs law. The dramatic consequences: a potential considerable increase in customs duties and import restrictions.
27/04/2010 - Constitutional Complaint Against Minimum Taxation for Trade Tax
World Tax Service WTS considers the minimum taxation for trade tax to be unconstitutional and has lodged a complaint with the Fiscal Court of Munich. A decision is not expected to be taken before the year 2011.
02/03/2010 - “Art at the Isartor” with Moritz Partenheimer
Directly at the Isartor the inhabitants of Munich can now admire the works of young artists from the region. From 11 March on WTS, one of the major German tax consulting firms, will exhibit photographs of the Munich artist Moritz Partenheimer (“Art at the Isartor”, Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 1, Wed – Thu 3 to 7 p.m.).
02/03/2010 - March starts with a record number of 4,000 voluntary declarations
New data CDs with the names of alleged tax evaders keep coming up. As a result the number of voluntary declarations doubled from 2,000 to almost 4,000 in the last week of February alone according to an announcement of World Tax Service WTS. In the meantime WTS tax lawyer Dr. Tom Offerhaus strongly advises to pursue the strategy of an orderly withdrawal. It is important not to make any mistakes before a voluntary declaration is filed. The Federal Ministry of Finance has just launched an online poll on the issue of impunity.
24/02/2010 - Implementation of New Services Directive varies significantly within the EU
The implementation of the new services directive varying from one EU member state to another is causing concern to many businesses in Germany. This was pointed out by World Tax Service WTS. On 4 March 2010 WTS will hold the “International VAT Meeting 2010” with VAT experts from eleven European countries at Düsseldorf airport. About 60 participants have already registered.
09/02/2010 - Tax attorney advises owners of Swiss accounts to make voluntary disclosures quickly and orderly
How can one get hold of the necessary bank documents quickly and safely without being prosecuted by the tax fraud investigation squad right before filing an amended tax return? Tax attorney Dr. Tom Offerhaus of the World Tax Service WTS offers advice: Have the declaration of profits handled anonymously during their preparation at a Swiss tax accounting firm.
12/01/2010 - German Tax Consulting Firm WTS expands in Asia
The demand for international tax advice is growing faster than ever before. The more global the business activities of the client the more open-minded tax consultants have to become. The Munich-based World Tax Service WTS is now also represented in India after having already been present in Asia with a subsidiary in China and a WTS office in Taiwan. Chairman Fritz Esterer thus has two reasons to rejoice: On Tuesday WTS is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the Vierschimmelsaal of the Munich Residenz castle.
08/01/2010 - Fiscal Authorities Help Themselves for Breakfast Twice
Those who travel a lot on business will soon lose their appetite in January. As World Tax Service WTS announces in its tax news, the fiscal authorities will help themselves for breakfast twice, now that the Economic Growth Acceleration Act has been passed by the Upper House as well.
08/01/2010 - First “Specialist Consultant for Customs and Excise Duties” in Germany
Uwe Reimer, tax consultant at WTS AG Steuerberatungsgesellschaft, is Germany’s first “Specialist Consultant for Customs and Excise Duties”. This underlines the comprehensive consulting skills of WTS AG in the area of customs and excise duties.
28/12/2009 - 300 Billion Euros Damage Caused by Product Piracy
Munich, 05 November 2009 – The fight against product piracy as well as the central provisions of the European customs law and export controls are the focus of the fall convention of the Verein Aussenwirtschaftsrunde e.V. (AWR). Every year more than 100 million cases of brand and product piracy are discovered at the external borders of the European Union. The damage caused by product piracy worldwide is estimated to amount to 300 billion Euros per year. WTS AG Steuerberatungsgesellschaft is the sponsor of this convention.
25/11/2009 - WTS opens Conference Centre for Tax Consultants at the Isartor
Wednesday evening World Tax Service WTS opened a modern conference centre boasting a prime inner-city location in their Munich headquarters at the Isartor. In the completely redesigned and technically well thought-out rooms formerly used by the municipal savings bank, clients of the internationally active tax consulting firm find optimal conditions for seminars, conferences and further training courses on a total of 700 square metres. Currently WTS is informing its clients on the planned Act on the Acceleration of Economic Growth.
