Expertise
Nils is a Belgian tax lawyer and Partner and Head of Tax for the Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard. He is ranked as a Rising Star for three consecutive years by International Tax Review and ranked by Chambers Global. He has developed a market-leading practice in UAE corporate tax structuring, with particular depth in Free Zone tax regime eligibility analysis and cross-border restructuring.
Nils has advised a wide range of multinational groups, regional conglomerates and private holding structures on eligibility for the Qualifying Free Zone Person regime, including complex questions around qualifying income characterisation, the beneficial recipient requirement, treasury and financing activities, designated zone and cross-border transaction flows, substance requirements and de minimis thresholds.
He regularly advises on the structuring of intragroup financing arrangements, and holding company migrations into the UAE, ensuring that structures are not only tax-efficient but defensible under scrutiny from the Federal Tax Authority.
His broader restructuring practice covers international tax planning, treaty analysis, participation exemption structuring, transfer pricing. He has advised clients on restructurings spanning more than fifteen jurisdictions.
- Memberships
Nils is a member of the International Fiscal Association and a frequent speaker at industry events and author of publications on GCC tax matters.