With over 30 years of experience, Gwenaël began her career in 1991 at CMS Francis Lefebvre in the VAT department before co-founding VATIRIS Avocats in 2012. She is the partner in charge of the indirect taxation division (VAT, payroll taxes, C3S).

Gwenaël advises French and international groups on managing VAT in their international transactions and real estate operations. She also works with associations and foundations in the health, research, and humanitarian sectors. She assists foreign operators with VAT registration and refund requests in France.

Her expertise spans consulting, training, VAT risk audits, negotiating tax rulings with the tax administration, assisting with tax audits, and handling tax litigation. Gwenaël also provides support to accountants and lawyers.

She regularly leads training sessions for Francis Lefebvre Formation on topics such as “Territoriality of VAT in International Trade of Goods and Services” and “VAT Risk Mapping.”

Gwenaël is the educational coordinator for the Tax Program at the EFB (Paris Bar Professional Training School).

Memberships

• Member of the IACF (Institute of Tax Lawyers)
• Member of the VAT Commission at the IACF
• Member of the ACE (Association of Business Councils)

Additional Information

Partner at VATIRIS Avocats, Gwenaël Gauthier is recognized as a leading expert in VAT matters. With 30 years of experience, she supports her clients with operational and efficient solutions across a wide range of sectors. She is ranked as an essential figure in VAT by Leaders League legal decision-makers magazine.

Professional Experience

• Assisted an international group in mapping import-export flows and their VAT regimes, identifying risks, and implementing internal controls.
• Supported a Spanish company in regularizing VAT due in France, including negotiations with the Tax Administration.
• Advised a hospital group on auditing activities and VAT recovery procedures.
• Counseled an association on defining VAT regimes and structuring their activities.
• Provided advice to an art gallery on the VAT regime for international purchases and sales.

Co-founded VATIRIS Avocats in 2012

Academic Background

• Sworn in as a lawyer: 1994
• Former Legal Advisor
• DESS in Business Law and Taxation, Paris II Panthéon-Assas University (1991)