Francesco Pisciotta
Biography
Francesco Pisciotta is a partner and co-head of Baker McKenzie’s Tax Practice in Italy, with over two decades at the Firm advising multinational groups on sophisticated domestic and international tax matters. He is a member of the Firm’s Europe and Global Tax Practice Groups and has served on the International Tax Commission of the Milan Association of Certified Accountants. A certified auditor and member of the Milan Tax Bar, Francesco is widely recognized for his technical rigor and strategic insight in complex, multi jurisdictional tax matters.
He is regularly invited to speak at conferences and seminars on international taxation and contributes to global Baker McKenzie publications on cross border tax developments. Francesco is also consistently recognized by leading legal directories, including Chambers Europe, which ranks him for his experience in significant tax reorganizations and his ability to integrate tax analysis with commercial objectives.
Awarded Professional of the Year Litigation at the Legalcommunity Tax Awards (May, 2026).
Practice Focus
Francesco focuses his practice on domestic and international taxation, advising multinational clients on international tax planning with a particular emphasis on cross border transactions, corporate restructurings, real estate projects and indirect tax matters. He regularly assists clients in structuring global expansions, optimizing multi country business models and designing tax efficient investment and holding structures.
His experience includes advising clients on complex reorganizations, integration processes following acquisitions, tax efficient cross border supply chains, fund related structuring, and joint ventures involving multiple jurisdictions. Francesco also counsels on tax audits and dispute resolution mechanisms, including APAs and MAPs. His ability to combine technical excellence with a practical understanding of business operations makes him a trusted advisor for clients navigating high value, international tax challenges.
Representative Legal Matters
- Advised Mytheresa on the Italian tax aspects of its acquisition of YOOX NET-A-PORTER, a landmark cross-border luxury e-commerce transaction involving multiple jurisdictions and complex post-closing integration considerations.
- Advised DeA Capital Alternative Funds SGR on the tax structuring of the acquisition of Fine Food Group, supporting a strategic private equity investment in the Italian food distribution sector.
- Assisted a leading global digital platform in one of the largest VAT disputes ever initiated in Italy, involving alleged marketplace liability for import VAT and parallel customs and criminal law implications.
- Advised a global music streaming platform in a landmark VAT controversy concerning the potential characterization of user data exchanges as consideration for digital services.
- Assisted a leading cloud-based CRM provider in a significant transfer pricing and permanent establishment dispute involving the interaction between tax audits and previously agreed advance pricing arrangements.
- Represented a global e-commerce technology company in the early stages of a tax and criminal investigation, helping secure a resolution before the issuance of formal tax assessments.
- Advised a leading semiconductor and AI company in a complex permanent establishment audit, coordinating the overall defence strategy across tax, operational and criminal law dimensions.
Professional Honors
- Band 5, Tax, Chambers and Partners Europe (2026)
- Leading Partner, Tax, Legal 500 (2026)
- Professional of the Year Tax Litigation, Legalcommunity Tax Awards (2026)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Milan Bar Association
Admissions
- Milan~Italy (2000)
Education
- Catholic University of Milan (J.D.) (1997)
Languages
- English
- Italian
Firm Committee Memberships
- Managing Partner of Italian offices (2019-2022)
- EMEA Tax Leadership Team supporting the EMEA Tax PGL (2025-current)