Tax advice for startups — from pre-seed to exit
We provide holistic support to founders, startups and investors from the choice of legal form to investor readiness and reliable tax compliance.
Holistic tax advice for startups
We support founding teams and their startups, business angels and VC and venture debt funds throughout the entire life cycle: From choosing the legal form and setting up innovative business models in tech, deep tech, biotech and infrastructure to investor readiness and reliable tax compliance.
We are also available to help you with complex issues such as employee participation programs and financing rounds as well as your international expansion.
Structuring, Founding, Initial Phase
Choosing the right legal form and setupsetsthe course. As your strategic sparring partner, we find the ideal solution to ensure your company is ready for whatever comes next: growth, scaling, financing rounds, an IPO, or an exit. We understand that the founding phase is usually characterized by a high burn rateand corresponding losses—we are well-versed in navigating these challenges. The same applies to all forms of financing: from mezzanine capital and convertible loansto public grants and R&D tax credits.
Our services:
- Legal form: Choice of legal form from a tax perspective (e.g. holding structures)
- Setup: Startup schedule and compliance setup (tax registration, tax number, VAT ID, opening balance sheet, tax compliance systems)
- Bookkeeping: Financial accounting tailored to the business model
- One stop shop: Support in setting up and implementing one-stop shop (OSS) for B2C sales to other EU countries
- Financial statements and tax returns: Annual financial statements in accordance with HGB and tax returns
- Special situation Start-up phase: Deduction of losses, remuneration of managing directors, etc.
- Funding: Tax qualification and accounting for all types of equity and external financing (e.g. convertibles, mezzanine capital) as well as public subsidies and research allowances
Growth, Financing, Transactions
Our support doesn't end when your business grows. We are familiar with all typical topics of employee incentives and compensation in the startup sector. For investor readiness and financing rounds, we benefit from our experience from dozens of transactions. We support your expansion abroad with our knowledge of international tax law and our network.
Our services:
- Investor readiness: Reporting, documents, plausibilities and tax due diligence
- Funding: Support during financing rounds (Seed to Series C+)
- Employee participation: Advice on setting up and implementing participation programs (VSOP, ESOP, profit participation rights)
- International: International expansion & cross-border structures
- Losses: Loss deduction and loss carry-forward
Your contacts for startups and founders
Please reach out in case you have any questions.
Marius Siemen
Marius Siemen advises on all aspects of German and international tax law. His work focuses in particular on the global investments of institutional investors and private clients across all asset classes. He has extensive experience with projects involving German investors in the United States as well as in the Asia‑Pacific region. Another key area of his practice is the representation of clients in tax disputes: from tax audits to administrative appeals and litigation, as well as the support of clients in criminal tax proceedings.
Lukas Conrady
Lukas Conrady advises investors, corporations, entrepreneurs, startups, and private clients on matters of national and international taxation. A key focus of his work lies in ongoing tax compliance—particularly the preparation of annual financial statements and tax returns, as well as the support of tax audits, including administrative appeal proceedings. He has in‑depth expertise in M&A, private equity, and real estate transactions, assisting clients with tax due diligence and the tax implementation of subsequent reorganizations. In addition, he advises on the taxation of crypto assets, including the classification and reporting of trading, staking, and lending activities.