Willy Sussman

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Willy is an experienced and well-respected private client, high net worth and immigration partner.

Willy leads the firm's private client, high net worth and immigration team. His areas of expertise include associated tax, estate and overseas investment matters.

Willy also advises clients on all aspects of GST and customs issues advising a broad range of clients in the oil and gas, clothing, wines and spirits, tobacco, power generation and IT sectors.

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 ranked Willy in the 'Hall of Fame' for tax. Clients say "Willy Sussman is my first point of contact and he takes a personal interest in providing an outstanding service." In a previous edition clients said he "always takes a personal interest in client matters."

ITR World Tax 2025 recognises Willy as a leading tax practitioner, noting Willy's reputation for competence in indirect tax, advising both large corporations and private clients. Willy is also recognised in Chambers Asia Pacific 2024 as a leading lawyer for tax.

Work highlights

Working with private clients, some of whom are immigrants
Acting for private clients, some of whom are migrants, in relation to a broad range of matters including immigration (predominantly under the Investor categories), structuring of New Zealand investments, the application of the overseas investment rules, advising on their tax affairs (including liaising with offshore counsel and ensuring multi-jurisdictional compliance), dealing with matrimonial matters, acting in relation to adoption and surrogacy requirements, the possibility of meeting the requirements for New Zealand citizenship and associated matters.

Recent work has included advising notable New Zealand, US, Swiss, UK, German, Canadian and Chinese clients. Bespoke solutions were in each case provided. Tailoring the needs of many of these migrant clients to deal with complications arising from border closures occasioned by COVID-19 has been a notable feature in the past year.

Offshore insurers GST advice
Advising offshore insurers how GST applies to performance bonds issued to New Zealand contractors. Divergent opinions had been provided by other advisors and the matter was complicated by the way New Zealand defines insurance. There were multiple parties, some of whom were agents, a number of whom were not resident in New Zealand for GST purposes.

Thoroughbred racing GST issues
Advising New Zealand’s thoroughbred racing governing body on a dispute about how GST should be accounted for on stakes, which is likely to be heard by the courts in 2016. The consequences are far reaching and may challenge some fundamentals of GST law.

GST and Customs issues for international online shopping
Assisting a well known international brand offering goods online to New Zealand buyers. Succeeded in finding a way to avoid New Zealand consumers having to deal with GST and Customs formalities while at the same time maintaining an efficient structure for the client.

Review of Customs legislation
Participating in a review of Customs legislation to streamline Customs processes, clarify the law in a number of areas and advocate for improved outcomes for clients.

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Work highlights

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