"Ben Symons is clearly very knowledgeable."
Ben is an experienced barrister with extensive experience in all areas of UK taxation law.
Ben advises on and undertakes litigation in relation to a diverse range of taxation matters, including:
- VAT matters and VAT tax appeals including penalty appeals;
- Tax Disputes;
- Stamp Duty Land Tax Planning;
- Inheritance Tax Planning;
- Capital Gains Tax;
- Local Authority Tax Planning;
- International Tax, including interpretation of double tax treaties and foreign tax credit relief;
- Residence and Domicile planning;
- The Taxation of UK Trusts and Offshore Trusts;
- Tax Avoidance – Transfers of Assets Abroad;
- Tax issues in relation to Deceased Estates;
- Employment Taxation including IR-35, NICs and disguised remuneration;
- R & D Tax Credit Relief;
- R & D Tax Credit Investigations;
- Entrepreneur’s Relief;
- Valuation issues – particularly in relation to companies;
- Cross-border taxation issues for both companies and individuals;
- M & A Tax matters including advice on restructures and drafting of tax covenants;
- Judicial review in relation to tax disputes.
Ben has also written a book on cryptocurrency and taxation entitled Tax Insight: Cryptocurrency and Blockchain published through Bloomsbury Professional and has a tremendous knowledge of all things related to both cryptocurrency and taxation. Ben is ranked in Chambers & Partners as a Band 2 Cryptocurrency junior.
Ben also accepts instructions in commercial matters including:
- Civil fraud claims;
- Trust law;
- Contractual disputes;
- Insolvency matters;
- Property matters;
- Probate matters.
Recent instructions include:
- defending a taxpayer in relation to a freezing order sought by HMRC over his assets. The value of the matter was over £1 million;
- advising the UK branch of a major international bank on their obligations under the tax-gross up clause in a syndicated loan agreement. The bank had committed over £500 million to the syndicate.
"Ben Symons is clearly very knowledgeable."
"He is very calm and he has an unflustered demeanour and the ability to very carefully analyse the issues." "
"Ben's service is absolutely outstanding. Ben has achieved outstanding outcomes for the estate providing me with advice that has resulted in tax savings of over £800,000. Ben's service is both very friendly and extremely efficient."
"Ben is an excellent barrister. Ben has strong technical and analytical skills. He is able think creatively 'outside the box' to solve challenging tax advice and litigation problems for my clients. Ben's service is always prompt and efficient."
- Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Taxation Insight, Bloomsbury Professional 2020, the most authoritative work on the UK tax implications of cryptocurrency transactions
- A View from the Bar – Cryptocurrency, Taxation and Benefits a legal chat – Ben Symons
- Cyber Security and Data Protection Training Modules – Lexis Nexis – with Dean Armstrong KC.
- Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Taxation Insight, Bloomsbury Professional 2020, the most authoritative work on the UK tax implications of cryptocurrency transactions
- Force Majeure and Frustration in Commercial Contracts, Bloomsbury Professional 2022
- Cryptocurrency and Taxation – delivered to KPMG, the International Fiscal Association UK branch, MBL seminars and the Australian New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants UK Branch
- Transfer Pricing and Tax Avoidance – delivered to HMRC and MBL seminars
- IR-35 and Taxation – delivered to the Australian New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants UK Branch
- Domicile and Inheritance Tax – delivered to MBL seminars
- Master of Laws (Taxation) – University of Sydney – 2005 (1st)
- Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws – UNSW – 2000 (2:1)
- Graduate Diploma in Economics, Birkbeck College, University of London – 2011 (2:1)
- Revenue Bar Association
- Secretary of the International Fiscal Association UK Branch
Ben Symons is regulated by the Bar Standards Board