About us
Consultant for the consultants
LENOS c.s. VAT & Customs Lawyers was founded in 1989 as the first fully independent consultancy firm on VAT and customs in The Netherlands.
We are critical free thinkers who view the world through different eyes. And we define things that cannot be defined. If we can look something up, we don’t find it interesting. This makes us a cabinet of curiosities. A cabinet of curiosities active within the most eccentric niches.
We advise our clients on every conceivable issue in the field of VAT and customs processes. For our specialists, both the national and international playing fields hold no secrets. They possess unique expertise in cross-border goods and services and are part of a broad network of specialists both domestically and internationally. We provide advice to our clients on the most diverse VAT and customs topics.
Our clients are found amongst companies, organizations and government bodies, but also amongst law firms, accountants, tax advisors and management consultants. We often act as a ‘consultant for the consultants’ in the literal sense of the word.
Our partners are tax lawyers. We offer all the benefits of a smaller, flexible firm coupled with the experience one usually only finds in the largest tax consultancy firms. All partners have a long experience as VAT and customs inspectors with the Dutch Ministry of Finance as well as VAT and customs consultants with the largest tax consultancy firms in The Netherlands.
The partners make it their business to write articles and books and speak at seminars on VAT and customs topics. We believe publishing and speaking is an ideal way to compel ourselves to think about our specialization and to continue working on a solid theoretical basis, exploring new frontiers. We constantly monitor changes in VAT and customs law, new administrative regulations and evolutions on the EU level.
Our professionals
Our partners are tax lawyers. We offer all the benefits of a smaller, flexible firm coupled with the experience one usually only finds in the largest tax consultancy firms. All partners have a long experience as VAT and customs inspectors with the Dutch Ministry of Finance as well as VAT and customs consultants with the largest tax consultancy firms in The Netherlands.
Paul Lenos
Managing Partner / VAT Counsel head of compliance
Paul is Dutch spoken, fluent in English and German, and has a good notion of French. He is a graduate of the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He holds a degree in civil law. Paul has been attorney-at-law from 2012 till 2021. At the moment Paul is managing partner and as VAT counsel head of compliance, mainly for the foreign client base.
Toon Hasselman
Partner
Although specializing in VAT – his ‘taxes’ degree – his knowledge and experience extends far beyond this, and his teams have included International Trade & Customs (and other) Indirect Taxes specialists too. Toon has a no-nonsense approach, with a conclusive solution.
Michael van de Leur
Partner
Michael advises various national and international corporations, non-profit organizations and sometimes even government agencies on indirect taxation. His primary advises on VAT, his other areas of interest being real estate transfer taxes, import duty and excise duties.
John Seerden
Partner
Tax guidance across the entire spectrum of transfer tax. This means that we mainly focus on real estate transactions (asset deals and share deals), project development, business succession and restructuring. For all these processes, we prefer to come on board at the earliest possible stage.
Steve McCrindle
UK and US indirect tax specialist
With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a client-centric philosophy, Steve McCrindle continues to push the boundaries of indirect tax advisory services. His deep subject matter expertise, coupled with a practical, solution-driven approach, solidifies his reputation as a trusted advisor and a leader in the field of indirect taxation
Kees Bouwmeester
Customs lawyer
Kees is widely specialized in Customs, excises, car tax and environmental tax. He has extensive experience in the classification of goods in the Harmonised System, economic customs regimes, determination of the origin and Customs value of goods, but he is also familiar with export controls, sanction measures and compliance.
Robert Brinks
VAT Advisor / Italy Desk
Robert is fluent in Italian and provides VAT support in the broadest sense and also direct tax support to Italian clients operating in the Netherlands. He is great in setting up structures that support his clients doing business in The Netherlands.
Junior Professionals
The Young Professionals Pool consists of enthusiastic starting VAT professionals who are or were often the first point of contact for VAT and customs matters in their own office and who cannot be trained by their own office. LENOS c.s. guides these professionals in their daily affairs. In addition to the VAT content, this may concern how to approach a case, making a quotation, dealing with colleagues from other disciplines and time registration. The professionals can participate in the weekly online VTO in which highly experienced independently operating VAT advisors participate and where all kinds of VAT and work-related matters are discussed.
