Taxation Law is a crucial area that affects individuals, businesses, and organizations alike. At Otto Edward Makmot Law Firm, our Taxation Law practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services to help clients navigate the complex and often challenging tax landscape in Uganda. We offer expert advice on a wide range of tax-related matters, from tax planning and compliance to dispute resolution and litigation. Our goal is to ensure that our clients meet their tax obligations while minimizing liabilities and taking advantage of available tax benefits and incentives.

Services Offered:

1. Tax Planning and Advisory:

   • Effective tax planning is essential for both individuals and businesses to minimize tax liabilities and ensure compliance with tax laws. We provide strategic tax planning services tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Our advisory services cover income tax, corporate tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and other applicable taxes. We help clients structure their financial affairs in a tax-efficient manner, ensuring that they benefit from all available tax deductions, credits, and exemptions.

2. Corporate Tax Compliance:

   • Corporate tax compliance is a critical aspect of business operations, requiring adherence to Uganda’s tax laws and regulations. We assist businesses with preparing and filing accurate tax returns, maintaining proper records, and meeting all statutory tax obligations. Our team stays up-to-date with changes in tax laws to ensure that our clients remain compliant and avoid penalties or fines. We also provide ongoing support to address any tax-related issues that may arise during audits or reviews.

3. Tax Dispute Resolution:

   • Disputes with tax authorities can be stressful and time-consuming. Our firm offers expert representation in tax disputes, helping clients resolve issues with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and other tax authorities. We handle disputes related to tax assessments, audits, penalties, and interest charges. Our approach includes negotiation, mediation, and, if necessary, litigation to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.

4. Value Added Tax (VAT) Advisory and Compliance:

   • VAT is a significant component of the tax system in Uganda, impacting a wide range of goods and services. We provide advisory services on VAT registration, compliance, and planning. Our firm assists clients in understanding their VAT obligations, preparing and filing VAT returns, and managing VAT audits. We also offer guidance on VAT exemptions, zero-rating, and reclaiming input VAT to optimize cash flow.

5. Customs and Excise Duties:

   • Importing and exporting goods involves complex customs and excise duties regulations. Our firm advises clients on the correct classification and valuation of goods, ensuring compliance with customs laws and regulations. We assist in preparing and submitting customs declarations, handling disputes with customs authorities, and obtaining duty exemptions where applicable. Our goal is to streamline the import-export process and reduce the risk of costly delays or penalties.

6. Transfer Pricing Advisory:

   • Transfer pricing involves the pricing of transactions between related entities within a multinational organization. We provide transfer pricing advisory services to ensure that intra-group transactions are conducted at arm’s length, in compliance with Uganda’s transfer pricing regulations. Our services include preparing transfer pricing documentation, advising on transfer pricing policies, and representing clients in transfer pricing audits and disputes.

7. Tax Incentives and Exemptions:

   • Uganda offers various tax incentives and exemptions to encourage investment in key sectors of the economy. Our firm advises clients on eligibility for these incentives, such as tax holidays, reduced tax rates, and exemptions for specific industries or activities. We assist clients in applying for and obtaining these incentives, ensuring that they meet all legal requirements and benefit from available tax reliefs.

8. Personal Income Tax Compliance:

   • For individuals, personal income tax compliance is a key responsibility. We provide comprehensive tax services for individuals, including tax return preparation, filing, and advisory on tax obligations. Our firm helps clients understand their tax liabilities, claim allowable deductions and credits, and ensure timely and accurate tax filings. We also assist expatriates and foreign nationals in navigating Uganda’s tax system.

9. Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning:

   • Estate and inheritance taxes can significantly impact the transfer of wealth to future generations. Our firm provides estate and inheritance tax planning services to help clients minimize tax liabilities on their estates. We assist in structuring wills, trusts, and other estate planning tools to ensure that assets are passed on efficiently and in accordance with clients’ wishes while minimizing the tax burden on beneficiaries.

10. Representation in Tax Litigation:

    • When tax disputes escalate to litigation, our firm provides robust representation in tax courts and tribunals. We handle cases involving tax assessments, disputes over tax liabilities, challenges to tax laws, and other contentious tax matters. Our litigation team is experienced in presenting compelling arguments and defending our clients’ rights in court, striving to achieve favorable outcomes in complex tax cases.