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Criminal Tax Law

With a team of around 20 lawyers specializing in criminal tax law, we provide advice throughout Germany.

Our clients include national and international companies, their executives and private individuals. We are distinguished by our many years of experience in dealing with the financial and law enforcement authorities, a high level of professional expertise and a trusting cooperation with our clients.

We are closely networked with the tax experts at KPMG AG and, through our global KPMG network, we can also call on highly specialized colleagues from all areas of law in 146 countries at any time.

The risk of becoming the focus of criminal tax investigations has increased considerably in recent years for national and international companies and their executives as well as for private individuals.

Our consulting services in criminal tax law are designed to deal with conflict situations arising from criminal tax law in a goal-oriented and trustworthy manner. In particular, our individual advice in connection with the correction of tax returns and voluntary declarations enables us to avoid risks under criminal and regulatory law (advance and preventive advice). This creates security for our clients.

We represent the interests of our clients in initiated preliminary proceedings in a committed and discreet manner. The goal is to keep investigative proceedings out of the public eye and to end them out of court at an early stage (counseling in criminal proceedings).

Consulting focus

  • Comprehensive and solution-oriented advice on supplementary declarations and voluntary declarations

    We provide clients with comprehensive support in the subsequent reporting of tax matters and the preparation of voluntary declarations. We analyse the individual situation, identify risks and opportunities and, together with our tax experts, also handle all communication with the tax authorities. Our aim is to achieve an exemption from penalties and fines for our clients and to avoid possible sanctions.

  • Representation and defense in tax and white collar criminal law as well as in tax investigation measures (search, seizure)

    Our experts represent companies and individuals in all phases of tax and commercial criminal law investigations and criminal proceedings. We assist clients in particular during searches, seizures and other measures by the prosecution authorities and develop individual defence strategies. Effective tax investigation defence requires specialist knowledge of criminal law and tax law – this is precisely where our particular expertise lies as one of the few highly specialised law firms in this field. Right from the start of the proceedings, we are committed to ensuring that they are handled as discreetly as possible. Thanks to our numerous specialists in this field, we are able to coordinate even complex investigations efficiently, especially when several people are the focus of the investigating authorities.

  • Creation of guidelines / concepts for the avoidance of criminal tax risks in the company

    We develop tailor-made compliance concepts and internal guidelines in order to identify and minimise risks under criminal tax law and administrative fines in the company at an early stage. More recently, preventive advice in the context of tax compliance has become an increasingly important part of our work. We delve deep into our clients’ tax structures, analyse existing processes and identify weak points in order to recognise risk constellations at an early stage. We also provide comprehensive support in establishing effective tax compliance systems and sensitising employees.

  • Examination and expert opinion on tax and criminal tax law issues

    We examine complex tax matters and prepare well-founded expert opinions on tax and criminal tax law issues. In doing so, we assess the legal risks and identify options for action. Our analyses serve as a decision-making basis for further measures and help to safeguard business decisions. In this way, we create transparency and legal certainty for our clients.

  • Risky company audits on the borderline of criminal proceedings

    We support clients during tax audits that harbour an increased risk of consequences under criminal tax law and fine law. We provide support with preparation, communication with the auditors and the legal assessment of critical issues. In the event of impending criminal proceedings, we develop defence strategies at an early stage and represent our clients’ interests vis-à-vis the authorities. Our aim is to minimise financial and criminal law risks as far as possible.

  • Advising on defense against corporate fines for breach of supervisory duty

    We advise companies on the threat of fines resulting from allegations of a breach of supervisory duties. We analyse the allegations, review the internal control systems and develop individual defence strategies. We also support the optimisation of compliance structures in order to avoid future risks. In this way, we help to effectively avert financial losses and reputational damage.

Explore more

06.08.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Tax havens: When business relationships trigger criminal proceedings

02.08.2025 | In the media

KPMG Law expert in the Rheinische Post on the topic of influencer tax evasion

23.07.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Tax evasion by influencers: Why voluntary disclosure can help now

29.04.2025 | KPMG Law Insights

Anti-money laundering and transparency register – what will the new government change?

03.01.2025 | In the media

Interview in Betrieb on the EU money laundering package and its impact

20.11.2024 | In the media

Statement by Florian Kirstein in In-house Counsel: EU wants to take more decisive action against corruption

11.07.2024 | KPMG Law Insights

The EU money laundering package creates a uniform legal framework

17.06.2024 | Press releases

KPMG Law strengthens tax and commercial criminal law with Florian Kirstein

08.01.2024 | KPMG Law Insights

These legislative changes will affect companies in 2024

14.10.2021 | KPMG Law Insights

Tax dispute – Six percent interest on taxes is unconstitutional

Your contact persons

Dr. Heiko Hoffmann

Partner
Munich Site Manager
Head of Criminal Tax Law

Friedenstraße 10
81671 München

Tel.: +49 89 59976061652
HHoffmann@kpmg-law.com

Arndt Rodatz

Partner
Head of Criminal Tax Law

Fuhlentwiete 5
20355 Hamburg

Tel.: +49 40 360994 5081
arodatz@kpmg-law.com

Philipp Schiml

Partner

Tersteegenstraße 19-23
40474 Düsseldorf

Tel.: +49 211 4155597150
pschiml@kpmg-law.com

© 2024 KPMG Law Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH, associated with KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, a public limited company under German law and a member of the global KPMG organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a Private English Company Limited by Guarantee. All rights reserved. For more details on the structure of KPMG’s global organisation, please visit https://home.kpmg/governance.

 KPMG International does not provide services to clients. No member firm is authorised to bind or contract KPMG International or any other member firm to any third party, just as KPMG International is not authorised to bind or contract any other member firm.

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