US tax law firm Burt, Staples & Maner LLP merges with E&Y

Ernst & Young (E&Y) has merged with tax law firm Burt, Staples & Maner LLP in a move that sees the Big 4 firm expanding its international tax practice.

The law firm, based in Washington, DC, specialises in information reporting and withholding (IRW) and will be working closely with E&Y's worldwide network on international corporate tax reporting issues.

Global IRW markets

BSM managing partner John Staples will become E&Y’s global IRW markets leader.

Kate Barton, E&Y America’s vice chair of tax services, said, “John Staples and his team at BSM are widely recognised as leaders in information reporting and withholding.”

“Staying current on global withholding tax developments and what it means to the overall business is critically important - today more than ever. The addition of this group and the appointment of John Staples as E&Y global IRW markets leader is part of E&Y’s ongoing commitment to investing heavily in our global tax reporting services so we can help our clients address complex reporting issues wherever they operate,” she added.

Integrated services

A partner at BSM for 13 years, Staples has mainly focused on IRW; his clients include major financial institutions, foreign governments, multinational corporations and high net worth individuals.

“By joining E&Y, the former BSM professionals together with E&Y’s IRW team will be able to deliver a suite of globally integrated IRW services that are not available anywhere else in the marketplace,” Staples said.

“There is no one-size-fits-all reporting and compliance solution, but we have the global capabilities, knowledge, technology and resources to help organisations navigate the tax reporting challenges, whether large or small, that they may face anywhere in the world,” he explained.