On Tax Susanne Schreiber of Bär & Karrer
Dec 3, 2024
Susanne Schreiber, Senior Partner and Co-Head of the Tax Department at Bär & Karrer in Zurich, shares her journey from M&A corporate law to tax law specialization. She discusses the contrasting tax landscapes of Germany and Switzerland, emphasizing Switzerland's proactive approach. Susanne highlights the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and simplifying complex tax issues for clarity. The conversation also touches on her transition to leadership in a law firm and the importance of balancing work with personal joy, illustrating this with humorous anecdotes about her dog.
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Career Shift to Tax in Switzerland
- Susanne started her career in Germany in M&A but shifted to tax after being fascinated by its complexity.
- Her relocation to Switzerland made her learn Swiss tax law from scratch on the job.
Swiss vs US Tax Practice
- Swiss tax practice emphasizes negotiation with tax authorities pre-transaction for certainty.
- Unlike the US, Swiss companies often settle tax treatments in advance rather than post-filing audits.
Simplify Tax Complexities
- Break down complex tax transactions to their economic rationale to simplify analysis.
- Learn tax concepts starting from simple cases before tackling complex exceptions.