Alan Sinyor
Alan Sinyor
Alan Sinyor
Biography
Alan Sinyor is the firm’s Head of VAT. He is highly experienced in all areas of VAT and other indirect taxes, in the UK and in the EU. He has a particular focus on real estate VAT.
Alan is a chartered accountant, member of the chartered institute of tax, a barrister and a solicitor. He has previously worked at Deloitte, PwC and Freshfields (as Head of the International VAT group).
Alan has extensive experience in VAT on property related tax issues. He regularly advises on a wide range of UK and foreign business including property owners and real estate private equity funds.
Alan has spearheaded VAT cases at the Tribunal regarding the VAT treatment of e-books and the VAT treatment of telephone calls to outside the EU.
Alan is listed in the Hall of Fame for VAT and Indirect Tax in Legal 500’s 2025 edition and as a Leading Individual for Tax Litigation. Clients say that:
Clients have previously said in Legal 500 UK:
- “Alan Sinyor is of Hall of Fame quality, certainly one of a handful of bests in UK VAT & Indirect sector. He is insightful, consistent, concise, clear, drawing from a wealth of VAT knowledge & experience that excels in depth and breath – just the best!”
- “Alan Sinyor has thorough understanding of the way VAT interacts with the real estate sector. His advice is very clear and he is able to communicate verbally and in writing in a way which cuts through the complexity. I would summarise his strengths as someone with deep insight into the tax legislation with an ability to cut through the complexities to find acceptable solutions.”
- “Alan Sinyor is always quick to respond. He gives excellent VAT advice and he sets out the issues and his final advice in a clear, concise, and understandable manner.”
Alan is also ranked as Band 1 by Chambers UK 2025 in the Tax: VAT category.
Clients have previously said in Chambers UK:
- "Alan Sinyor is peerless in his field."
- "Alan is not only a master in VAT law but he is innovative, commercial and thinks outside of the box."
- "He's commercial, technically on point and offers practical solutions.”.
In addition, he is also ranked for Contentious Tax.
Alan is also ranked by International Tax Review’s World Tax as a Highly Regarded practitioner for Tax Controversy and for Indirect Tax.
Alan is a member of the VAT Committee of the British Property Federation.
Civic Involvement & Honors
- Ranked by Best Lawyers UK 2024 for Tax Law (Indirect Tax), recognized since 2009
- Ranked in Band 1, Chambers & Partners UK, Tax: VAT; Ranked in Band 4, Chambers & Partners UK, Contentious Tax
- Ranked in Hall of Fame, Legal 500 UK, VAT and Indirect Tax and Leading Individual for Tax Litigation and Investigations
- Ranked by International Tax Review’s World Tax as a Highly Regarded practitioner for Tax Controversy and for Indirect Tax
Admissions
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England and Wales
Related Practice Areas
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Tax Advice & Controversy
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Real Estate
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Securities Litigation and Enforcement
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Tax & Private Client
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Infrastructure
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Tax Controversy
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Taxation of Corporate Transactions
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Taxation of Financial Transactions & Institutions
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Real Estate Tax
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VAT & Indirect Taxes
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Experience
- Advising Silvertown on the VAT consequences on construction of new UK town
- Global Rubber Sarl - Advised on a Tanzanian VAT dispute including advising on arbitration strategy and proceedings
- Land Securities - Advised on the tax structuring of several mixed-use sites including a redevelopment to provide two mixed use office/retail and residential/retail buildings.
- Pretorian Developments Ltd - Advised on VAT issues arising from its bid for development of Hyde Park Barracks (expected to be the most expensive residential development in the UK).
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