Real estate and asset management

The key objective of fund managers is to maximise returns for their investors. Among other commercial, legal and operational considerations, ensuring a tax efficient fund structure is one of the important aspects that fund managers need to consider in order to keep a competitive edge.

The above, together with management and planning considerations, are key drivers to fund managers, as well as single/multi-family offices that are keen to manage their own/third parties’ wealth and investments in an increasingly professional and structured manner — to preserve old wealth, generate income and manage succession and estate planning.

In addition, the complexity surrounding the taxation of funds is ever-evolving. Structures that worked in the past may not be replicated for each fund without first evaluating their ability to hold up to scrutiny in the current tax landscape.

Our Real Estate and Asset Management Tax team have the in-depth knowledge and experience required to understand the practical aspects in this space and are ready to assist fund managers and family offices to achieve the right balance of tax and practical considerations.

We offer a range of services that can support you throughout the life cycle of your fund, from fund formation, capital raising and structuring, to fund closure and distributions to investors. 

From a tax perspective, we can assist you with the following:

• Fund formation and structuring tax advisory support including review of fund documents and fund formation support
• Advising tax issues relating to fund manager and sponsor, including carried interest planning opportunities for sponsor and employees
• Downstream tax structuring with respect to acquisition and divestment of investments (including cross-border transactions)
• Buy-side/vendor tax due diligence
• Sell-side tax advisor
• Assistance with seeking advance tax rulings
• Application for tax incentive for funds/fund managers and assistance with annual returns/declarations to the relevant authorities
• Corporate income tax and GST tax filings/remission
• Stamp duty matters including advance ruling and relief application
• Property tax matters
• Capital allowance studies
• Issuing tax opinions for tax insurance policies purpose