Business

Taxation of ESOPs – What Every Employer Should Know

Employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs, have become a popular incentive tool in recent years, particularly among startups and technology companies. However, taxation of these benefits remains a challenge for many employers. The rules have changed several times over the past year and a half, and in practice there is still uncertainty as to when and how tax should be paid. Let’s bring some clarity to the issue.

David Krch, Josef Žaloudek a Petr Tušakovský · 8 September 2025

HAVEL & PARTNERS opens the door to global business

From the Czech Republic to the world − and from the world to us

In today’s global economy, legal certainty is just as vital as capital − whether for Czech companies expanding internationally or foreign investors entering the Czech and Slovak markets. HAVEL & PARTNERS supports clients navigating both directions of cross-border business. Thanks to its close cooperation with ONE FAMILY OFFICE, the firm has also extended its international reach in services for private clients.

Germany’s Government Plans – What entrepreneurs can learn from the coalition agreement?

Germany’s new government plans to turn recession-hit Germany into a “locomotive of Europe” moving forward. So, what will change under the leadership of the new chancellor? And how can Czech and Slovak entrepreneurs benefit from this?

Philip Smitka a Martin Peckl · 8 September 2025

Czech Republic bans first foreign investment. 7 lessons you should take

In March this year, the Czech government made history by using its powers under the Foreign Investment Screening Act (the FDI Act) for the very first time to block a foreign company's investment. What key takeaways are there from this? And if you’re working with a foreign investor, could this put your company at risk?

Robert Neruda, Roman Světnický a Martin Rott · 8 September 2025

Changes in VAT. What you should know

The year 2025 brings the most significant changes to value added tax for businesses in recent years. The changes not only affect VAT payers, but also companies that are yet to become VAT payers. We have put together a list of tax news you should not miss.

David Krch, Petr Tušakovský a Kristýna Šlehoferová · 13 January 2025

Interview

International direction. What challenges do Czech and Slovak companies face in acquisitions?

Do mergers and acquisitions serve as a means for Czech and Slovak companies to expand into international markets? Is entering foreign markets complicated for these firms? What is the Family Management Buy-Out model and why is it becoming increasing popular? In an interview, Jan Koval, a partner at HAVEL & PARTNERS, and Václav Strýhal, the managing partner at NEXIA One Corporate Finance, provide their answers.

Jan Koval · 13 January 2025

The German economy stagnates

An opportunity and time to expand?

Stagnation in Germany means the availability of a large number of distressed assets and companies that can be increasingly made use of by foreign investors, including Czech entrepreneurs. The generational turnover among the owners of German “Mittelstand” companies brings many acquisition opportunities. How to use this potential from the perspective of a Czech entrepreneur?

Philip Smitka a Martin Peckl · 13 January 2025

Safely and according to the rules

Cybersecurity obligations expand to a broader range of companies

Companies face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that can jeopardize their daily operations, customer trust, partnerships, and even the very existence of their business not only in Slovakia. In response, the EU has introduced the NIS II Directive. How should they prepare for these changes?

Štěpán Štarha, Róbert Gašparovič a Miriama Podskubová · 13 January 2025

From cottage to town or neighbour to neighbour. Get ready to share electricity

An Energy Act amendment, the so-called ‘Lex RES II’, is to introduce community energy in the Czech Republic from July 2024. What will this change entail? The possibility of sharing electricity, for example, with family, neighbours or even within the municipality that can send electricity to schools or other municipal buildings. How to do it practically?

Jan Koval, Robert Porubský a Ivo Skolil · 8 January 2024

When the tax authority asks

Do you use advertisements? And could we see them?

Does your company claim advertising costs as a tax-deductible expenses? Do you exercise the entitlement to VAT deduction? This is indeed possible. However, as the decisions of the Supreme Administrative Court show, it is necessary to provide proper (supporting) documentation during a tax audit to prove that the marketing services were actually rendered in accordance with the contract. The mere existence of invoices and signed contracts does not automatically establish the tax-deductibility of the costs.

Martin Pecha, David Krch a Josef Žaloudek · 8 January 2024

Flexible Financing for Startups Featuring Convertible Loans

When founders are looking for investors and a quick cash injection for their startup or don’t know their initial valuation, they might want to get a convertible loan, which is a combination of a loan with favourable terms and an investment. A convertible loan enables investors to invest in a project that has great potential but a not particularly clear value. How exactly does it work?

Jaroslav Baier a Josef Bouchal · 8 January 2024

What do the new rules bring for retail, e-commerce and consumers in Slovakia?

An end to misleading practices of supposed price reductions on Black Friday. A large consumer law amendment entails a comprehensive regulation of Slovak consumer law. Since the middle of this year, this will affect not only e-shops, but also brick-and-mortar stores, which have to adapt to the new obligations. What are these specific changes?

Štěpán Štarha a Róbert Gašparovič · 8 January 2024