Tax

All the TGS member firms are carefully vetted and approved before joining the network. We share five core qualities and bring these to our work, advising clients on all kinds of tax matters, from an initial tax overview to more complex foreign tax credit relief issues. 

• Credibility: The TGS network has grown to over 4,500 professionals globally across tax, accountancy, audit, advisory, legal services and sustainability
• Sustainability: A key focus in all we do, right down to our name. TGS – Think Global Sustainability. We’re also signatories of the United Nations Global Compact
• Progressiveness: Innovative, but with a reassuringly traditional quality
• Empathy: An in-depth understanding of the tax issues you’re facing
• Transparency: We pride ourselves on being jargon-free with no hidden costs. 

National tax arrangements can be challenging to navigate – international tax even more so. TGS is proud to provide experienced tax advisors and consultants with the knowledge and flexibility to help you steer a clear course through often unchartered waters. 

At TGS, we understand that tax is something you’d rather not be thinking about day-to-day. So our member firms are here to make things easy for you, and you’re more than just a number to us. 

• You’ll be assigned a tax consultant with the experience and expertise to match your needs
• Our costs are transparent before the point of engagement, and your deadlines are our deadlines
• Our tax advisors are proactive and will identify any potential issues before they impact your business 

Friendly, professional and qualified tax expertise is at your fingertips. 

Think tax. Think TGS network. 

You’ll find a quick summary below of just some of the areas our international tax experts can help you with. 

Tax planning

Whether you operate solely in one country or have a global business with multiple offices in different jurisdictions, professional tax planning can act as the prevention rather than the cure. 

The complexity of tax compliance and regulation in individual countries can cause problems if you’re unprepared. That’s where the power of the TGS network comes in. We have tax advisors who can ensure you proactively plan and prepare for what’s down the line rather than reacting after an issue has arisen. 

Efficient tax planning can also help you legitimately optimise or reduce your tax bill at home or abroad. All our members take an ethical approach to your tax overview, which means paying a fair and sustainable amount. We believe in this ‘tax for good’ approach because it contributes to the prosperity of our communities and the environment we live in. 

When you contact us, we’ll listen carefully to your tax planning needs before putting you in touch with the right person in the TGS network. Every business should have strong tax planning foundations in place. 

Tax advisory

A specialist tax advisor can be worth their weight in gold. Ensuring your business is meeting its tax obligations at home and abroad and dealing with any issues can be time-consuming and confusing if you don’t have the experience or expertise.

Tax advisory matters can include:

• Corporate and international tax planning
• Exploring tax reliefs such as those for research and development projects 
• VAT and customs duty
• Avoiding stressful tax investigations in different countries.

It’s best to seek the reassurance and knowledge of a tax consultant before you make any decisions on things like:

• Expanding your services into new territories
• Hiring overseas employees
• Exporting your products for the first time

Whether you’re only doing business in your own country or looking to grow into a multinational corporation, local, on-the-ground knowledge is invaluable regarding tax advisory matters. 

Accessing a qualified tax professional who’s walked the walk can be the difference between seamless expansion and the stress and worry of unexpected tax investigations. 

Don’t leave things to chance. Get in touch with us now to take the first step. 

Tax function operations

How efficient are your current tax function operations? Do you feel they’re fit-for-purpose and future-proof?

If the answer to these questions is no, one of our TGS network members will be able to help you with processes that cut costs, improve efficiency and reduce risks.

Many companies are in the same boat and seeking answers to the following questions and more:

• Is the software we’re using still suitable for our organisation?
• How can we better integrate the tax function into the business as a whole? 
• Are there more efficient processes we can adopt rather than doing things the way we’ve always done them? 
• Do we have the right balance of skills and experience within our tax function operations? 

We appreciate that making internal changes may need a business case to support it and financial investment. Our network members are focused on delivering a positive return, so the amount you save by streamlining operations should outweigh the implementation of new processes and procedures. 

The tax landscape is changing. Risk management and tax analytics are growing in importance, and you need modern tax function operations to keep pace.

Find the right firm for your organisation by contacting us now. 

Tax policy

Keeping up-to-date with tax policy in the main country you operate in and/or many others can feel like a full-time job in itself.

The tax consultants and advisors in the TGS network always have their finger on the pulse in their specific region. The value of using one of our member firms is that we can plug you into the latest knowledge and how the tax landscape will impact your business.

Rest assured you’re in safe hands with TGS when you need help and advice with the following:

• Planning for future tax policy changes
• Cross-border tax arrangements and international frameworks
• Global carbon tax and green tax policies 
• The US UK tax treaty.

Adapting to changes in tax policy in jurisdictions worldwide needs a fluid, consistent and proactive approach. It also requires a holistic view of the overall impact on your business when preparing for and complying with several different tax policies. 

Having a current and future view of tax policy at any given time should be an essential part of your tax overview and financial planning. 

Get in touch now, and let us take the strain on tax policy so you don’t have to. 

Tax compliance

Failure to comply with local, national or international tax obligations is a road no legitimate business wants to go down. 

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but how do you ensure you’re on top of your taxes when:

• Digitalisation is increasing worldwide?
• The regulatory landscape is shifting?
• Tax legislation at all levels seems to be constantly evolving?

Accurate financial reporting and transparency are more important than ever as businesses come under increasing scrutiny from a sustainable and ethical lens. 

When tax compliance goes wrong for whatever reason, it can have significant impacts such as:

• Reputational damage and fines 
• Lengthy, stressful and costly tax investigations
• Future problems trying to attract the right staff to your company

Tax compliance is a serious business. That’s why all our tax advisor member firms are carefully vetted and committed to getting things right the first time.

Our ethos is that companies should pay a fair, ethical and sustainable amount of tax for the greater good. We’re not about trying to shrink tax figures as small as possible to satisfy shareholders. 

If this approach sounds appealing, we’re waiting to hear from you. 

Transaction tax

Tax advisors can also steer you in the right direction regarding transaction tax. It’s another complex topic that can have different ramifications depending on your business activities and the countries in which you’re active.

A transaction tax may be imposed when you: 

• Move cash balances between accounts in different countries
• Transfer or sell shares
• Buy new business premises overseas
• Make investments in other companies

Nobody likes surprises when it comes to tax liabilities, but we can help you mitigate your risks. 

This can involve the following:

• Explaining the complex rules of different countries in a way that’s easy to understand
• Forecast any likely transaction tax based on your strategy
• Examine your current best practices to ensure they’re compliant with the rules of the countries you operate in

Like many others, transaction tax is an area that’s constantly changing and not always the same in countries within the same continent. 

In this specific area of expertise, you need advice you can trust. And that’s one of the many benefits of the TGS network – finding the best person for your circumstances.

Enquire now, and we’ll find a transaction tax expert who can help. 

Green tax

Environmental or green tax is an area that’s growing in significance. The sustainability agenda isn’t going away – organisations need to be aware of their current responsibilities from a tax perspective and what might be coming down the line.

Green taxes can be applied to the following and more:

• CO2 emissions
• Pollution
• Transport 
• Disposal of waste

Unfortunately, many companies still aren’t taking their environmental impact as seriously as they should. As a result, governments worldwide are introducing legislation around things like carbon tax and green tax incentives to help facilitate meaningful change. 

Your business needs to be aware of all the regulations that could affect your reputation, day-to-day activities and the amount of tax you need to pay. 

Green taxes are going nowhere. 

If you’re looking for a tax advisor with a strong background in all things ESG, get in touch now. 

Cross-border tax and employer services

Technology makes doing business in other countries easier than ever before. 

Regardless of where your expansion plans are focused, there will be several hurdles you need to consider and overcome before taking the plunge. It’s always best to be aware of these in advance rather than deal with issues as they arise.

Some common questions that come up when planning an international expansion include the following: 

• I’m sending a team member to work abroad; what are the tax implications?
• How do I expand into X or Y country?
• What local employment laws do I need to adhere to? 

As well as giving you access to local tax advisors and consultants, using our network also opens up business advisory services for things like international expansion. 

Set up a call now, and we’ll guide you through the benefits of our cross-border tax and employer services. 

Transfer pricing

The topic of transfer pricing is a critical one to get right for multinational businesses. 

Global value chains where production processes for a product take place in different countries raise many questions around tax, including:

• How can you avoid double taxation?
• What documentation needs to be in place in each country?
• How can you mitigate the risks and prevent tax disputes?

Ensuring the right policies and paper trails are in place at all your global locations is essential. 

Transfer pricing is too important to take any chances with. It can adversely affect your business if any stone is left unturned. 

At TGS network, our member firms are focused on helping businesses pay a fair and ethical amount of tax. 

There’s so much more to transfer pricing than we’ve mentioned here, so arrange a call to be put in touch with a local expert.

VAT/GST and indirect tax

Indirect taxes, including excise duty, import levies, Value Added Tax (VAT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST), can significantly impact businesses involved in global trade.

Our member firms can provide indirect tax planning and compliance services to help you:

• Introduce more efficient internal processes and subsequent reporting
• Reduce your costs in critical areas, so you’re not paying too much tax
• Provide you with the peace of mind that you’re complying correctly in different jurisdictions 

There are rapid changes happening in indirect tax globally, so it pays to have a trusted partner who is proactive and up-to-speed when you need advice. 

Getting the right strategy in place will help you sleep more easily at night, knowing that everything is clear, well-documented and under control.

The time and money involved in trying to put things right after the event is an issue every business could well do without.

Imagine an easier way to manage indirect tax. Get in touch with TGS today. 

Tax for good

As mentioned earlier, we’re immensely proud to be signatories of the UN Global Compact. 

The Compact’s Ten Principles are important, not just to us but also to our member firms and their clients. Our tax for good philosophy will enable your business to grow sustainably and responsibly. 

Tax for good is about paying a fair amount but is also guided by the four pillars of the UN Global Compact. 

• Human Rights
• Labour
• Environment
• Anti-Corruption

Within these pillars, there are ten principles covering areas such as:

• Businesses supporting a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
• The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour
• Supporting and respecting the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights

Tax for good is more than just a slogan. It’s how we like to do business. So if you feel the same, we should talk. 

Risk management

Tax risk management is a critical undertaking in today’s world because of the challenges facing businesses on many fronts, including:

• Reputational damage from not paying enough tax
• Calls for increased financial transparency 
• Seemingly relentless changes to tax laws and regulations worldwide. 

No business wants to fall foul of the relevant tax authorities, so there’s no room for complacency when managing your potential risks.

When you choose to work with one of our member firms, they’ll start by exploring your current plans and processes. For example:

• Are there any current areas of concern?
• Are you at greater risk in some countries than others? 
• When did you last review your processes and level of internal expertise? 

Everyone in your organisation should feel confident that your approach to tax risk management is thorough and as future-proof as possible. 

Your staff only know what they know. So it can pay to get an expert tax consultant to cast an eye over your current strategy to identify and plug any gaps before they escalate. 

Get in touch with TGS now, and we’ll put your mind at ease. 

E-commerce

Selling goods and services to hundreds of destinations worldwide requires a clear and comprehensive tax strategy.

In November 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published two new pillars which affect the tax paid by e-commerce companies with large turnovers. One hundred and thirty-seven countries signed up for these. 

For smaller companies, the e-commerce tax landscape remains confusing and challenging without the right advice. Here are some common questions we hear:

• What happens if I’m VAT registered in different countries?
• How can I ensure I don’t pay too much indirect tax? 
• How does it affect my business taxes if the goods I’m selling are made in one country and shipped from another? 

Whether you’re new to e-commerce or are looking to sell into new countries/territories, it’s essential you don’t make assumptions when it comes to VAT, GST, excise duty and other indirect taxes. 

Get in contact for e-commerce tax advice you can trust. 

Digital nomads (working from anywhere)

There are already 35 million digital nomads worldwide. According to a recent study, this figure will rise to 1 billion by 2035. 

If you’re employing people and are happy for them to work from anywhere, what does this mean in terms of your taxes and theirs? For example, you could be UK-based and have employees in dozens of countries with different tax rules and regulations.

• What happens if someone works from a new country every two months?
• Which employer taxes in your country still apply to non-residents?
• Do your tax obligations change if the person returns to your country permanently? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to digital nomads and tax, meaning there’s a lot to think about before implementing a policy allowing people to work from anywhere. 

It’s best to speak with a tax consultant to discuss your plans before you agree to anything. 

A professional network that puts you first 

If you don’t feel you’re getting a personal and focused service from your current tax consultant or advisor, you’re not alone.

Many of our clients come to us from other firms feeling disgruntled because:

• Promises have been broken about the seniority of who’d be looking after their tax affairs
• There’s not enough transparency over deadlines and expected costs
• The company they were dealing with failed to take a holistic and proactive approach to their tax position in different countries
• Verbosity and endless jargon made it difficult to understand the important issues fully

As a global network of tax experts, clarity and transparency are at the heart of what we do. 

Our member firms want to develop long-lasting and meaningful client relationships that will prosper over time. 

You’ll never be a number on a balance sheet when you choose to work with TGS.

Contact us now to discuss your tax requirements and discover the TGS difference for yourself.