Energy and natural resources, TMT

The COVID-19 outbreak catapulted the digitalisation of businesses like never before. While the technology sector was already in the spotlight before with the OECD’s taxation of the digital economy, that agenda has now gained further ground. The release of the OECD’s BEPS 2.0 blueprint and the unilateral introduction of digital taxes by countries are some key developments that need to be monitored closely. Understanding the impact of these digital taxes and the work of the OECD is the single biggest challenge faced by the tech industry from a tax perspective.

Similarly, the Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) sector is undergoing a significant transformation. The decreasing consumption of coal fueled by its adverse greenhouse effects and decrease in demand from major consumer countries like US, China and India, has resulted in an increased focus on renewable energy. Solar and onshore wind farms are now the cheapest source of new electricity and are driving this transformation to renewable energy. Following the global trend, Southeast Asia has seen a significant increase in energy-as-a-service businesses offering solar and wind power solutions to the commercial and industrial sectors in addition to the traditional government grid operators.

With deep sector knowledge, our team has the necessary experience to advise on tax matters connected to these sectors. In addition to the above, our team also possess sector expertise on the telecommunication, media and automotive sectors.

The team comprises dynamic individuals with the right blend of international and local experience. While the team is based in Singapore, it comprises individuals who have work experience spanning across the US, UK, Europe and Asia, and are able to deliver quality international tax services covering these regions in addition to Singapore. Notably, many members of the team have also earned a master’s in law in international tax law from reputed institutes in the UK and US and reputed universities in Leiden and Vienna.

• Tax structuring;

• Assistance with grants & incentives;

• Tax dispute resolution;

• Corporate income tax and GST tax filings;

• Stamp duty matters including advance ruling and relief applications;

• Assistance with grants & incentives;

• Supply chain optimisation;

• Regional holding and investment structures;

• Reviewing the impact of digital taxes arising from the OECD’s BEPS initiatives;

• Tax planning & set-up for renewable energy platforms;

• Legal entity rationalisation;

• M&A advisory including buy-side/sell-side due diligence and post-acquisition structuring