Julian Cheng

Biography

Julian is a partner and Head of our Tax group.

With over 25 years’ experience, Julian provides tax advisory services to the full spectrum of clients. His clients include public and private corporate groups, fund managers across various asset classes, consortiums and joint ventures and high net worth individuals.

Working across various transactions, he advises on mergers and acquisitions (including tax due diligence), initial public offerings, restructures, cross border investments, funding and fund establishment.  

Julian has also represented clients in audits and reviews with tax authorities (including submissions to tax authorities). His advice covers matters including Division 7A, controlled foreign company rules, the superannuation guarantee charge, the characterisation of gains as revenue or capital in nature and withholding taxes.

His previous roles included nine years as a tax partner with a big four chartered accounting firm. His time there included two years as head of the firm’s Australian tax desk in New York, providing Australian tax assistance and advice to US corporate groups and funds.

Experience

Julian’s experience includes advising:

  • Barrenjoey on its acquisition of a 50% interest in the Tea Tree Shopping Plaza from Dexus/Scentre for $150 million including tax due diligence, fund establishment and structuring for the acquisition.

  • QATMN regarding its acquisition by Adamantem for approximately $260 million by scheme of arrangement.

  • Rokt on a redomiciliation to the US by interposing a new company incorporated in the US (Rokt Inc.) between Rokt and existing shareholders. This included the structuring of key steps to ensure Australian tax neutrality.

  • Telstra on its $2.48 billion acquisition of Digicel Pacific, involving structuring and considering various related tax issues including characterisation of financing for tax purposes.

  • APN Property Group on taxation issues arising from its $320 million acquisition by Dexus, including preparing tax guidance for investors in the scheme documentation.

  • Silverlake on Australian tax aspects of its US$100 million investment in the Australian Professional Leagues Trust.

  • Futuro Capital on its $133 million joint venture with Baring Private Equity Asia to acquire 235-251 Bourke St, Melbourne.

  • Various fund managers including IP Group, Blackbird, Ellerston Capital, 5V and Airtree on several taxation issues regarding fund structuring, venture capital and investments in portfolio companies.

  • Morrison & Foerster on the Australian tax aspects of Uber’s acquisition of a UK technology group, Autocab.

  • Opthea on the Australian tax aspects of its US$120 million initial public offering of American Depositary Shares.

  • Advice to a privately-owned insurance group on structuring for its $700 million financing from foreign lenders.

  • Reece, an Australian listed company supplying plumbing and bathroom products, on its $1.19 billion acquisition of MORSCO Inc., a leading US distributor of plumbing, waterworks, heating and cooling products.