Tax Castro Barros acts in the tax area rendering service to Brazilian and foreign companies in the analysis of tax strategies, rationalization of productive chains and processes in light of value-added taxes (ICMS, IPI, PIS and COFINS), and national and international tax planning. In the latter case it can, through its Lisbon branch, call on correspondent offices in Funchal (Madeira Island), an offshore jurisdiction of Portugal, as well as the Bomchil Group, of which it is a member, with offices throughout Latin America, in this case with focus on issues relating to Mercosur. The tax area is very active in litigation, in both the administrative and judicial sphere, at all levels (municipal, state and federal) and instances, when necessary up to the Brazilian Supreme Court. The Office has been very successful in ensuring that clients are not obliged to pay undue taxes and helping them to recover improper past charges. The tax area of Castro Barros works closely with other areas to analyze the tax situation of clients and assist with structuring complex financial and commercial operations to minimize the tax burden.