Tax
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9230 4000About
Provided by Allens
Our tax lawyers are renowned for precise, commercially informed advice on all areas of direct and indirect taxation, including income tax, capital gains tax, GST, stamp duty, customs and excise. They have an outstanding reputation in dispute resolution, including litigation and audit management.
We advise corporate clients on all types of transactions and circumstances including mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, capital management, investments and divestments. Our structured finance specialties include securitisation, infrastructure and project financing, structured equity products, leasing and asset financing and financial engineering. We also have extensive experience in obtaining rulings from various revenue authorities and lobbying for appropriate legislative outcomes.
Our tax team is consistently involved in large tax audits and single-issue reviews for many of Australia’s top companies and we are acknowledged as market leaders in undertaking tax negotiations and litigation on behalf of our clients. We have also advised on significant international tax issues including advising on general structuring of transactions and transfer pricing issues and disputes.
Our indirect tax experts provide advice on all stages of transactions to ensure the most efficient outcomes from the perspectives of the stamp duty and GST costs. These specialists are able to assist in documenting a transaction and also have experience in GST audits and stamp duty reviews.
Chambers Review
Allens advises both domestic businesses and global corporations on a broad range of tax issues. The law firm is home to a number of market-leading practitioners with specialised expertise in the banking, resources and infrastructure sectors. Its members are recognised as experts on the full range of tax issues, from income tax and GST to inbound and outbound investment and exit tax issues. The firm also possesses a leading tax disputes practice, regularly engaged to advise on audit and litigation matters. It frequently assists clients on tax issues relating to major M&A transactions and restructures.
Work Highlights
- Allens' tax team advised Brookfield Asset Management and MidOcean Energy on various issues in connection with the proposed acquisition of Origin Energy.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Allens just get the job done and get it done properly."
"They bring a mix of technical and commercial advice together to solve problems in a collaborative way with clients."
"Allens just get the job done and get it done properly."
"They bring a mix of technical and commercial advice together to solve problems in a collaborative way with clients."
Notable Practitioners
Martin Fry is based in Melbourne and offers extensive expertise in tax matters, covering both the tax elements of corporate transactions and a wide range of disputes, including those concerning anti-avoidance in transfer pricing.
"Martin is fantastic. He's incredibly commercial and client focused."
"Martin Fry gives very practical advice and has excellent judgement on tax litigation matters."
Craig Milner is a well-established practitioner who offers advice on a range of corporate tax matters, including mergers and acquisitions, funds establishment and funds listing. He is adept at acting for clients on matters relating to both direct and indirect taxation. He is based in Sydney.
"Craig has a deep understanding of our industry and deals in complex commercial transactions."
"Craig Milner has strong commercial acumen."
Adrian Chek is based in Sydney and advises on a wide range of practice area concerns, including capital gains tax, GST and indirect taxation, but is best known for his specialist stamp duty expertise.
"Adrian provides considered advice when dealing with ethical matters."
Toby Knight is particularly active in the field of tax controversy and audits, and is regularly instructed by prominent clients, including multinational businesses and high net worth individuals, on a variety of issues. He is based in Melbourne.
"Toby is an excellent strategic thinker on tax litigation who takes a cooperative, proactive approach."
"Toby has shown an ability to look at issues from different perspectives and come up with unique insights, arguments and solutions."
Ellen Thomas leads Allens' tax practice. She is an experienced adviser to financial institutions on the tax issues around mergers and acquisitions.
"Ellen has very strong technical skills and is extremely responsive."
"Ellen Thomas is an outstanding tax lawyer."