Arequipa tax lawyer
If you are searching for an Arequipa tax lawyer, you may be facing tax issues that involve both Peru and the United States. Perhaps you are a US citizen with business interests in Arequipa, or a Peruvian resident with US tax filing obligations. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., a US law firm founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, assists clients with cross-border tax matters by combining US tax law counsel with the Peru-law knowledge of our Of Counsel, Martín Mayandía. Mr. Mayandía is admitted to practice law in Peru and is not admitted in any US state bar; his role is limited to Peru-law matters in collaboration with our US-admitted attorneys. Our US attorneys, led by Mr. Sris, handle US tax compliance, including FBAR and FATCA reporting, while Mr. Mayandía advises on Peruvian tax obligations in Arequipa and throughout Peru. We do not maintain a physical location in Peru, but our collaboration model allows us to provide coordinated cross-border tax guidance without the need for you to engage separate counsel in each country. To discuss your specific situation, call (888) 437-7747.
How a US Law Firm Can Assist with Arequipa Tax Matters
Cross-border tax matters often require counsel familiar with both US and Peruvian tax systems. A US person with income, assets, or business operations in Arequipa must comply with US worldwide income reporting and may also have Peruvian tax obligations. Conversely, a Peruvian resident with US-source income or US assets may need to navigate both the Internal Revenue Code and Peruvian tax law. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. addresses this dual-jurisdiction challenge by pairing US-admitted attorneys with a Peru-admitted Of Counsel. Our US attorneys handle all US tax aspects—including preparation of returns, FBAR filings, FATCA compliance, and IRS controversy representation—while our Peru Of Counsel, Martín Mayandía, advises on Peruvian tax obligations arising in Arequipa and elsewhere in Peru. This division of responsibility ensures that each country’s legal requirements are addressed by an attorney licensed in that jurisdiction.
Because the firm does not practice Peru law, we do not hold ourselves out as Peruvian tax lawyers. Instead, we collaborate with Mr. Mayandía, who is admitted to practice law in Peru (2009) and is not admitted in any US state bar. His role is limited to Peru-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. This structure allows us to offer coordinated cross-border tax guidance while respecting the unauthorized-practice-of-law rules of both countries. For US tax matters, Mr. Sris and the firm’s US-admitted attorneys serve as counsel of record; for Peruvian tax matters, Mr. Mayandía provides advice under Peruvian law. Clients benefit from a single point of coordination without sacrificing the jurisdictional competence that cross-border tax issues demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Arequipa tax lawyer do?
An Arequipa tax lawyer advises clients on Peruvian tax obligations arising in the Arequipa region, including income tax, value-added tax (IGV), and municipal taxes. In Peru, tax administration is handled by the Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT). A local tax lawyer can assist with tax planning, compliance, audits, and disputes before SUNAT. For cross-border matters, a Peruvian tax lawyer may also coordinate with US counsel to address the interaction between Peruvian and US tax rules, such as the treatment of foreign tax credits or the reporting of Peruvian assets to the IRS.
Do I need a US tax lawyer if I have tax issues in Peru?
If you are a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise a US person for tax purposes, you likely need a US tax lawyer in addition to Peruvian counsel. The United States taxes its citizens and residents on worldwide income, regardless of where they live. This means that even if your tax issue is centered in Arequipa, you may still have US reporting obligations—such as filing a US income tax return, reporting foreign bank accounts on an FBAR, or complying with FATCA. A US tax lawyer can help you meet these obligations and avoid substantial penalties.
Can a US law firm help with Peruvian tax matters?
A US law firm cannot practice Peruvian law, but it can coordinate with a Peru-admitted attorney to provide comprehensive cross-border tax guidance. Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not hold itself out as a Peruvian tax firm. However, through our Of Counsel, Martín Mayandía—who is admitted to practice law in Peru and is not admitted in any US state bar—we can address the Peru-law side of a cross-border tax matter. Our US-admitted attorneys handle all US tax aspects, while Mr. Mayandía advises on Peruvian tax obligations. This collaboration model allows clients to receive coordinated advice without engaging separate counsel in each country.
How does the firm handle US-Peru cross-border tax issues?
We divide the matter by jurisdiction: US-admitted attorneys handle US tax law, and our Peru Of Counsel handles Peruvian tax law. When a client contacts us with a cross-border tax issue involving Arequipa, we first assess which country’s laws are implicated. Our US attorneys address US tax compliance, including income tax returns, FBAR, FATCA, and IRS audits. Simultaneously, we engage Martín Mayandía to advise on Peruvian tax obligations, such as SUNAT filings, IGV, and local Arequipa municipal taxes. The two sides coordinate to ensure consistency, but each attorney works strictly within their licensed jurisdiction.
What is FATCA and how does it affect US persons with Peruvian accounts?
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires US persons to report specified foreign financial assets if their aggregate value exceeds certain thresholds. FATCA, enacted in 2010, is codified in the Internal Revenue Code. US persons with bank accounts, brokerage accounts, or other financial assets in Peru—including accounts in Arequipa—may need to file Form 8938 with their US tax return. Failure to file can result in significant penalties. A US tax lawyer can help determine whether your Peruvian assets trigger FATCA reporting and assist with compliance.
What is FBAR reporting and who must file?
The Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) is required of US persons who have a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign financial accounts exceeding $10,000 in aggregate at any time during the calendar year. The FBAR is filed electronically with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), not the IRS. If you hold a bank account in Arequipa or elsewhere in Peru, you may have an FBAR obligation. Penalties for willful failure to file can be severe. Our US tax attorneys can review your situation and assist with FBAR preparation and filing.
Does the firm have an office in Arequipa?
No, Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not maintain a physical location in Arequipa or anywhere in Peru. The firm’s principal location is in Virginia, and it has additional locations in Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. For Peru-law matters, we collaborate with Martín Mayandía, our Peru Of Counsel, who is based in Peru and admitted to practice there. Clients can consult with us remotely, and we coordinate with Mr. Mayandía as needed. All consultations are by appointment only.
How do I consult with the firm about my Arequipa tax matter?
You can reach Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. During the initial call, we will discuss the nature of your cross-border tax issue, identify which jurisdictions are involved, and explain how our US-Peru collaboration model would apply. If your matter requires Peruvian tax advice, we will involve Martín Mayandía, our Peru Of Counsel, with your consent. Consultations are by appointment only, and we can accommodate Spanish-speaking clients through our bilingual staff and attorneys.
Can the firm represent me before the Peruvian tax authority (SUNAT)?
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. does not represent clients before SUNAT or any Peruvian authority. Representation before SUNAT is the practice of Peruvian law and must be handled by an attorney licensed in Peru. Our Peru Of Counsel, Martín Mayandía, is admitted to practice law in Peru and can represent clients in Peruvian tax matters, including audits and disputes before SUNAT. Our US-admitted attorneys do not appear before Peruvian tribunals. We coordinate with Mr. Mayandía to ensure that your Peruvian tax representation is handled by a qualified Peru-admitted lawyer.
What are the risks of not reporting foreign income to the IRS?
Failing to report foreign income or foreign accounts to the IRS can result in substantial civil penalties and, in some cases, criminal prosecution. The IRS has extensive information-sharing agreements and can obtain data about US persons’ foreign accounts. Willful failure to file an FBAR can lead to penalties of up to the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the account balance. Non-willful violations still carry penalties. Additionally, failure to report foreign income can extend the statute of limitations for assessment. A US tax lawyer can help you come into compliance through voluntary disclosure programs or other corrective filings.
How are legal fees structured for cross-border tax matters?
Fees vary depending on the complexity of the matter and the jurisdictions involved. For cross-border tax issues involving both the US and Peru, we typically provide a fee estimate after an initial consultation. Because the matter may require work by both US-admitted attorneys and our Peru Of Counsel, the fee arrangement will reflect the services of each. We discuss fees transparently before any engagement begins. Contact us at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation and receive a fee estimate tailored to your situation.
About Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel Network
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris leads the firm’s US tax practice and serves as the responsible US attorney for all sriscounsel.com content. For cross-border tax matters involving Peru, the firm collaborates with Martín Mayandía, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in Peru (2009) and is not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Mayandía’s role is limited to Peru-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to cross-border tax issues, ensuring that each jurisdiction’s requirements are addressed by a qualified attorney licensed in that jurisdiction.