U.S. Law: Comprehensive Legal Advice for Your U.S. Project
U.S. legal advice for your activities in the United States
The United States offer a wide range of opportunities for companies, investors, and individuals, whether for establishing a business, making an investment, expanding existing business activities, or acquiring an ownership interest. At the same time, the legal, tax, and business considerations involved require careful planning.
Our advisors with in-depth knowledge of both German and U.S. law combine a thorough understanding of the U.S. legal system with extensive experience in cross-border matters. We advise clients from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the USA, and many other countries on their business activities in the United States. Our U.S. attorneys provide comprehensive advice on all relevant U.S. legal matters – in German or English.
Our advice on matters involving the United States
For legal and tax matters involving the United States, our U.S. attorneys work closely with our German attorneys, tax advisors, and selected cooperation partners. This enables companies, investors, and individuals to receive coordinated advice on U.S., German, and international legal and tax matters.
Our key areas of focus:
- U.S. corporate law
We assist with the formation and structuring of U.S. business entities as well as corporate law matters arising in the course of ongoing operations. This includes, in particular, drafting and reviewing organizational documents, such as an Operating Agreement for an LLC. Upon request, we can also assist with applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and with reviewing or preparing business plans.
- Contract law involving the United States
We draft, review, and negotiate contracts for cross-border business relationships. In doing so, we pay particular attention to ensuring that corporate, tax, and business requirements are appropriately coordinated.
- U.S. citizenship
We advise on acquiring U.S. citizenship through birth, descent, or naturalization, as well as on the applicable requirements and procedures.
- U.S. forms
We advise companies, investors, and individuals on selecting, reviewing, and preparing important U.S. forms relating to visas, entry into the United States, immigration status, and employment. These include, among others, Forms I-9, I-94, I-129, I-140, and I-765, as well as Form ETA 9089. We help ensure that documentation is complete and consistent, deadlines are met, and responses to inquiries from U.S. authorities are properly prepared.
- Tax law matters involving the United States
We advise on the German tax implications of cross-border matters involving the United States. This includes, in particular, moving to the United States or relocating to Germany, holding interests in U.S. companies, making investments, and determining the tax treatment of existing business and asset structures. Together with our experts and cooperation partners, we develop an appropriate structure in a timely manner.
- Moving between Germany and the United States
Moving to the United States or returning to Germany can have significant tax consequences. We review the German tax implications, particularly with respect to business interests and existing corporate structures, and assist with planning and structuring the move in a timely manner.
- U.S. visas and green cards
We assist with questions relating to entry into the United States, immigration status, and taking up employment or business activities in the United States, where appropriate in cooperation with specialized partners.
Consider the tax implications of your U.S. activities early
Cross-border matters involving the United States can trigger tax consequences in multiple countries. This applies not only to the formation, acquisition, or expansion of a U.S. company, but also, for example, to investments in the United States, individuals moving to or from the United States, ownership interests in companies, real estate assets, inheritances and gifts, and cross-border business relationships.
An early tax review provides clarity regarding potential tax liabilities, reporting and filing obligations, and available structuring options. For this purpose, our U.S. attorneys work closely with our international tax team of German and U.S. tax attorneys and tax advisors. Together, we analyze your individual circumstances and develop a legal and tax structure that is appropriate for your plans.
For business activities, for example, it may be critical whether a Corporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC) is chosen and whether the ownership interest is held by an individual, a partnership, or a corporation. For individuals, we also assess the tax consequences of moving to the United States or relocating to Germany.
In all cross-border situations, we take the applicable double taxation treaties into account. We also assist with the legally and tax-appropriate structuring of agreements between affiliated companies, including the documentation and design of transfer pricing arrangements.
An early tax review provides clarity regarding potential tax liabilities, reporting and filing obligations.
