Tax

Significant transactions and disputes often involve complex tax issues. Our strategic, commercial and pragmatic tax advice can help you stay compliant, and structure for tax-efficiency.

How we can help

From M&A due diligence and corporate restructures to fund structures and financing, our tax specialists can develop tax-effective solutions. We understand your commercial needs and sector nuances, and work closely with our corporate advisory, investment funds, property, banking and infrastructure and energy and resources teams to provide fully-integrated advice.

Our services cover all taxes, with a focus on income tax, GST, stamp duty and employment-related taxes. As a leading independent firm, we also work closely with renowned tax lawyers around the world, providing unconflicted advice in cross-border transactions.

Australia’s tax laws are constantly changing, and tax authorities are increasing compliance activity. Drawing on a wealth of experience, we also work closely with our disputes team on a range of tax controversy matters – including reviews and audits, disputes and voluntary disclosures.

Services

We advise on transactions, due diligence and compliance. Simplifying complex tax issues to achieve efficient structures - and the best possible outcomes.

Corporate tax

Advising corporate groups on mitigating tax risk and capitalising on opportunities as and when they arise in the context of Australia’s tax laws and attitudes of its tax authorities.

Employee incentives

Working closely with our Corporate Advisory and Employment colleagues to advise on tax effective structuring of employee and management incentive arrangements.

Funds management

Advising Australian and foreign fund managers on fund structuring, deployment of capital and the development of management and performance fee arrangements.

Property and infrastructure

Advising on tax structuring and other tax issues relevant to investments in property and infrastructure.

Tax controversy

Acting for diverse taxpayers on the strategic management of reviews and audits by tax authorities, disputes and voluntary disclosures.

Transactions and due diligence

Structuring for acquisitions and divestments, tax due diligence, tax modelling and the negotiation and drafting of transaction documentation.

Tax experience

China Tonghai International

On structuring its exit from an Australian resources company investment, securing a favourable ruling from the Australian Taxation Office on the settlement proceeds.

Rokt

On its redomiciliation to the USA, ensuring the transaction was structured for tax neutrality for Australian shareholders, and holders of options and restricted stock units.

Walker Corporation

On the GST and stamp duty implications of a $1 billion large scale mixed-use commercial and retail development in the heart of Adelaide, South Australia.

Australian Clinical Labs

On Project Hobart involving a public company takeover.

Vast Renewables

On its merger with Nabors Energy Transition Corp, a US-listed SPAC, and the subsequent de-listing of the combined company on Nasdaq as Vast Renewables.

Ruralco Holdings

On its acquisition by Nutrien, including seeking a class ruling covering changes to employee incentives.

Shaw and Partners

On remuneration and incentive arrangements for founding shareholders.

A private company

On solving for inadvertent tax impositions on their employee share schemes.

Vista Equity Partners Management

On ad hoc tax matters relating to the acquisition of Simulation Software Holding Company by Blackstone and Vista Equity, primarily on the tax treatment of various employee share scheme arrangements.

Vast Renewables

On ad hoc tax matters relating to the acquisition of Vast Solar by Nabors Industries primarily relating to the tax treatment of various employee share scheme arrangements.

Various Australian private equity funds

On the application of Australia’s thin capitalisation rules to their fund vehicles and portfolio companies.

Various Australian fund managers

On the structuring of carried interest and performance fee arrangements for their funds.

Crescent Capital Partners

On the structuring of a continuation fund for its investment in Healthcare Australia.

An Australian industry superannuation fund

On tax considerations relevant to its co-investments with various private equity funds.

Adamantem

On the structuring of its environmental opportunities fund.

A United States venture capital fund manager

On the tax-effective structuring of an Australian fund vehicle.

APN Property Group

On taxation issues arising from its $320 million acquisition by Dexus including preparation of tax guidance for investors in the scheme documentation.

Lovely Banks Development Group

On a joint venture of several landowners (Riverlee, Bamfa Properties, Costa and Sunrise Ventures), in relation to a 15-year township development.

Bayley Stuart Capital

On structuring of its wholesale funds for the acquisition of various properties in Melbourne.

Transfield Services Infrastructure

On the stamp duty and GST consequences relating to the refinancing of the project financing of the Macarthur Water Treatment Plant.

Community Housing Canberra

On delivering 22 affordable rental dwellings in Canberra for women facing housing stress or a risk of homelessness. Advised on the GST and stamp duty implications of all steps of the project.

ARB

On Australian tax compliance and issues arising out of an audit by the Australian Taxation Office.

Several small businesses

On defending research and development disputes with the Australian Taxation Office.

A high-profile copyright owner

On a tax-related matter arising from fraudulent activity of a director.

A multinational company

On resisting a compulsory notice by the Australian Taxation Office to produce information and data.

CrownBet

On contractual disputes arising out of the interaction between income tax and historical GST treatment of gaming income.

A private client

On the tax implications of insider trading restrictions and clawbacks from their senior executives.

Crescent Capital

On its $315 million IPO of Australian Clinical Laboratories, including pre-IPO restructuring and recapitalisation.

Telstra

On its $2.48 billion acquisition of Digicel Pacific.

A sovereign wealth fund

On the tax structuring of an investment in an Australian company.

QANTM

On its acquisition by Adamantem by way of scheme of arrangement.

Mercury Capital

On its acquisition of Matrix Education.

Barrenjoey

On its acquisition of a 50% interest in the Tea Tree Shopping Plaza from Dexus/Scentre for $150 million.

Testimonials

Client first thinking

The team are experts in the field. They are very practical, pragmatic, and commercially savvy.

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

Awards

Recognised in Tax law

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

Recognised in Tax law

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

Explore Insights

Related insights

Key contacts

People who perform

Upholding standards, pushing boundaries

Julian Cheng

Partner
Melbourne

Hanh Chau

Partner
Sydney

Mark Goldsmith

Partner
Sydney