We fiercely defend our clients’ cases and interests, from the inspection stage right through to the courts, using precise, innovative and offensive methods, without ever trying to deceive the authorities. We also like to resolve disputes quickly and amicably, through negotiation or settlement if this leads to a better outcome.
Audit and litigation
Defending Negotiating Winning
A litigation strategy means identifying the areas of defence, choosing the right time to raise them and knowing how the authorities operate. Pragmatically, we settle disputes through transaction if litigation is not appropriate.
Bertrand Lacombe’s expertise in tax litigation and assistance with tax adjustments has been recognised for over ten years by the magazine Décideurs Stratégie Finance Droit.
We intervene
at various stages:
01
From the very first exchanges with the French tax authorities, when a request (rarely trivial) is made for information, clarification or justification, at the end of or during a tax audit, or as part of a documentary or on-site audit (personal tax situation examination, accounting examination or audit).
02
On receipt of a tax reassessment notice, to prepare detailed observations to challenge undue reminders and seemingly well-constructed arguments.
03
During the pre-litigation phase, during first- or second-level appeals or before commissions (conciliation, direct tax and turnover tax).
04
During the administrative phase, by preparing contentious claims, requesting deferment of payment or taking the dispute to the Public Finance Ombudsman.
05
During the jurisdictional phase, before the administrative, judicial or Community courts.
The way the firm operates, with a team led by its founder, ensures that there are no conflicts of interest and that absolute confidentiality is maintained, particularly in situations where there is a deadlock with the tax authorities, where the issues at stake are high-profile, or where there is a risk of criminal prosecution in connection with a tax reassessment.
