Tax

We combine specialist knowledge with a commercial and solutions-based approach.

Australia's tax environment presents challenges for businesses operating or investing in the current market. There is heightened political scrutiny of the treatment of tax information, and foreign investors are grappling with changing regulations on transaction structures.

Significant tax issues are arising, as tax and revenue authorities use enhanced profiling techniques, with broad information-gathering powers, to identify risk. Businesses active in Australia face intensifying scrutiny of their dealings' state tax and duty implications.

How we can help

Our tax team are experts in providing precise and commercially informed advice on the full range of direct and indirect taxation. This includes:

• income tax;
• capital gains tax;
• GST;
• fringe benefits tax;
• stamp duty;
• payroll tax; and
• land tax.

We guide businesses in proactively managing and responding to changes in tax laws, and assist with the tax optimisation of transactions, and with navigating scrutiny, should it arise. Our tax specialists are well versed in the issues that are prioritised by the Australian Taxation Office (the ATO), and equivalent state and territory revenue offices – with which we have a productive working relationship built up over many years.

Optimising the tax outcomes on transactions

With expert knowledge of a diverse range of asset classes and investment structures, our specialists advise on structuring and documentation to ensure tax outcomes align with commercial objectives. We assist with all types of transactions and circumstances, including:

• restructuring;
• M&A;
• capital management; and
• investments and divestments.

Our indirect tax team advise on all stages of transactions, to ensure the most efficient outcomes regarding stamp duty and GST costs – covering the full breadth of issues and risks that may impact your business.

Allens' tax teams are at the forefront of legal developments in Australia, acting on some of the country's largest transactions, and guiding influential business makers through upstream and downstream structuring issues.

We work closely with our corporate M&A and investment fund specialists to provide holistic and integrated support, ensuring optimal tax outcomes on significant transactions. We're renowned as a 'safe pair of hands' by clients, who trust us to guide them through all aspects of their major transactions.

Navigating interactions with the ATO and revenue authorities

Our tax specialists take a customised approach to accommodate a company's risk profile, shaping how to navigate interactions with tax regulators and authorities. We have a commercial and solutions-based outlook, and our productive relationship with the ATO and other revenue authorities enables us to influence and challenge analysis of contentious issues.

Allens' tax controversy specialists (see Tax Disputes) have an outstanding reputation and track record in dispute resolution, including litigation and audit management.