AEQUITAX S.A., a Swiss company headquartered in Lugano (Switzerland), is specialized in the recovery of withhoding tax (WHT) on financial investments – including indirect holdings, often excluded from traditional reclaim processes.
Recognized as a European leader in this highly specialized field, Aequitax provides global legal, tax and banking expertise through a trusted international network of professionals.
A Proven Leader in Withholding Tax Recovery
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, Aequitax S.A. is a specialized firm focused exclusively on the recovery of foreign withholding taxes for global institutional investors. With more than two decades of experience, our team understands every technical detail and statutory deadline that can affect your claims — ensuring precision, speed, and compliance across jurisdictions.
Independent, Expert, and Trusted
We are 100% privately owned by our management team and operate independently. This structure guarantees neutrality, total alignment with client interests, and a laser-sharp focus on cross-border tax recovery — free from conflicts or third-party pressures.
Global Presence, Local Precision
Hedquartered in Lugano and with subsidiaries in Zurich, Monaco, Luxembourg and other major European financial hubs, Aequitax serves over 100 institutional clients across Europe and their global structures. Our multilingual team navigates the complexities of international tax law with agility and accuracy.
What Makes Us Different
- We are the only provider worldwide capable of reclaiming WHT on indirect investments in the U.S., unlocking a value that often exceeds all other markets combined.
- We manage the entire reclaim process from A to Z: legal analysis, filing, follow-up, and litigation if necessary.
- We pursue the shortest possible recovery timelines, with continuous tracking from claim to reimbursement.
- We have deep experience with complex structures such as pension funds and investment vehicles across multiple jurisdictions.
A Pure Success Fee Model
Our compensation model is 100% aligned with your success. We operate on a pure success fee basis:
- ❌ No up-front costs
- ❌ No hidden fees
- ✅ Litigation expenses fully covered
- ✅ We are paid only after the refund reaches your account
This approach ensures maximum transparency, minimal risk, and full alignment of interests.
Trusted by Leading Institutions
Aequitax is a trusted partner to leading custodians, asset managers, and pension funds across Europe. References are available upon request.
Company milestones
2004
Founding of Aequitax SA
2005
First Agreement with a Custodian Bank
2006
First Refunds for Italian Institutional Beneficiaries
2008
First Refund from France (DTA+)
2009
Contract with Leading Asset Management Company
2011
First Refund from Norway
2012
First Refund for 0-DTA (fokus claim)
2018
Founding of Aequitax Luxembourg
2019
First Refund from US (Direct)
2020
First Refund from US (Indirect)
2021
Founding of Aequitax Monaco
2024
Aequitax Establishes a New Record: US Refunds for Italian Pension Funds Exceed $10 Million in Less Than 10 Months
2024
Aequitax Strengthens its International Presence in Germany, France and Spain with Local Distributors