Tax
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : 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. It is home to a number of market-leading practitioners with specialised expertise in the banking, resources and infrastructure sectors. The firm 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. Its key clients include Shell, Rio Tinto and Australian Tower Network.
Work Highlights
- Allens advised Sunsuper on the tax aspects of its AUD200 billion merger with QSuper, including seeking stamp duty relief in multiple jurisdictions.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Allens has demonstrated an acute ability in helping us navigate the complex tax legislation in Australia, including providing sound and practical advice in dealing with tax authorities."
"Allens delivers market-leading expertise and talent. They are able to adapt their team to the circumstances. They always have the right people for the job."
"Allens has demonstrated an acute ability in helping us navigate the complex tax legislation in Australia, including providing sound and practical advice in dealing with tax authorities."
"Allens delivers market-leading expertise and talent. They are able to adapt their team to the circumstances. They always have the right people for the job."
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.
"He can think strategically but also has good commercial acumen and strong communication skills, which enables him to provide value-adding, risk-assessed advice and communicate in a way which is easy to understand despite the complexity of the subject matter."
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.
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.
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.
"I find Toby very easy to work with. He has a relaxed approach, which I like, and always highlights areas of concern in a very measured way. He also shares his very vast knowledge."