Former SARS consultant appointed Director, Corporate Tax at Webber Wentzel Bowens

South African Law Firm, WWB has hired Ed Liptak from the South Affrican Revenue Services. Mr Liptak will have partner status.

Webber Wentzel Bowens’ Managing Partner David Lancaster said, “We are very excited about his appointment which will further enhance our tax capability and the service we can provide to clients, and is part of our ongoing strategy to develop the leading law firm tax practice in South Africa.”

At SARS Liptak was involved in the implementation and roll-out of the new Advance Tax Rulings System and was the author of the SARS’ discussion paper on tax avoidance and section 103 of the Income Tax Act.

He was also the primary draftsman of legislation establishing a formal advance tax ruling system. He was co-author of the SARS’ Guide for Film Owners.

Liptak was educated at LeMoyne College, New York and Boston College Law School, Massachusetts, where he received the BA and Juris Doctor degrees cum laude and magna cum laude respectively. He was admitted as an attorney in the state of Massachusetts and worked for 9 years in the Massachusetts Department of Revenue as senior tax counsel.

He also worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP as senior manager, lead tax services. He joined the South African Revenue Services in 2004 as Senior Tax Consultant in the Legal and Policy Division.