Prof. Dr. René Schäfer
Tax Advisor, Specialist Advisor for International Tax Law, Managing Partner
Prof. Dr. René Schäfer studied business administration at Saarland University, graduating with a master’s degree in 1999, with a focus on business taxation. During his studies, he spent a year in France and obtained an additional diploma from the École Supérieure de Commerce, Lyon.
After completing his academic studies, Prof. Dr. Schäfer worked as a research assistant under Professor Dr. Heinz Kußmaul at the Chair of Business Administration, with a particular focus on business taxation, at Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany.
After successfully completing his doctorate, Prof. Dr. Schäfer was appointed as a tax advisor and subsequently joined DORNBACH.
Prof. Dr. Schäfer has been a managing partner of DORNBACH GmbH since January 2026.
Prof. Dr. Schäfer has authored and co-authored numerous specialist articles and publications.
Professional Positions and Key Publications
- Head of the DORNBACH Centre of Excellence for International Taxation
- Chairman of the Expert Committee for Specialist Advisors in International Tax Law of the Chamber of Tax Consultants in the German State of Hessen
- 2008: Awarded the professional title of Specialist Advisor for International Taxation
- Lecturer in international taxation at Saarland University since 2009
- Honorary Professor of Business Administration at Saarland University since July 2015
- 2003 dissertation: Taxation of a German-French Business
- Domestic Tax Collateral Effects of Corporate Restructurings in Anglo-Saxon Jurisdictions, IStR 2015, 656
- Treaty Interpretation in the Context of Employed Athletes – Does Article 13b of the France–Germany Double Tax Treaty Give the Frontier Worker Regime a Red Card?, co-authored with Prof. Dr. Heinz Kußmal and Dr. Tim Palm, BB 2019, 670
- Mid-Year Immigration and the Trust as a Partnership Interest Holder – Section 15 AStG’s Immigration Blocking Rule at Its Best?, co-authored with Prof. Dr. Heinz Kußmal and Dr. Philipp Engel, IWB 2020, 646
- Partnerships in International Tax Law – Attribution of Corporate Shareholdings in Inbound Structures, co-authored with Prof. Dr. Heinz Kußmal and Dr. Philipp Engel, IWB 2020, 876
Main areas of expertise
- International taxation
- Cross-border employment
- Relocation of private individuals and entrepreneurs into and out of Germany
- Cross-border restructuring
Contact
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Phone +49 (0) 681 8 91 97 - 14
Fax +49 (0) 618 8 91 97 - 17
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