Corporate tax

We assist clients on a wide range of Australian corporate tax issues, and prepare:

• Reasonably Arguable Position papers;
• Objections and appeals against assessments;
• Taxation related agreements, minutes, resolutions and elections

Capital gains tax

We advise corporate and individual clients on the capital gains tax consequences of transactions and assist in planning acquisitions and disposals to maximize exemptions and concessions.

Employment and tax

We also advise on a range of tax issues affecting individuals and their employers including:

• Fringe benefits tax (FBT) planning;
• Salary sacrifice arrangements and package structuring;
• Employment and consultancy agreements;
• Superannuation planning;
• Transfer of superannuation from overseas funds;
• Termination of employment, ETP's;
• PAYG, SGC, Payroll tax, Workcover;
• Tax and estate planning for retirement;
• Asset protection strategies.

Goods and services tax

We advise local and international clients on the implications of Goods and Services Tax for local and cross border transactions and assist with:

• Planning transactions to minimize GST exposures;
• Review/drafting of contracts to ensure GST recoverability;
• Assisting overseas entities identify and deal with GST liability;
• Ruling applications;
• Negotiations for clients with the Australian Taxation Office.

Doing business in Australia

We advise international clients wishing to invest in, or do business in Australiawith:

• Choice of entities and structures for investment or business;
• Registration of branches, incorporation of subsidiaries or local entities;
• Double tax agreements and permanent establishment issues;
• Withholding taxes;
• Legal and tax obligations of doing business in Australia;
• Visa requirements for foreign managers and employees;
• Tax effective relocation of expatriates;
• Tax implications of cross border transactions;
• Goods and services tax (GST) on imports;
• Requirements for compliance with Australian transfer pricing rules.

We advise international clients who have contractual obligations in Australia:

• Reviewing or drafting of commercial contracts;
• Intellectual property licensing, distribution agreements;
• Avoiding tax traps and pitfalls.

Tax audits and investigations

Taxpayers who are subject to an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or State Revenue Office (SRO) audit or investigation need to be properly represented and advised. We assist with:

Planning for an ATO or SRO audit

• Risk management and identification;
• Document retention policies;
• Identifying information which must be supplied;
• Identifying information which may be privileged.
• Strategies when receiving notice of audit / visit.

Taxpayers' rights and obligations

• Taxpayer's charter;
• Rights and obligations in the event of an unexpected visit.

Managing an ATO / SRO audit

• Agreeing scope;
• Managing parties' expectations;
• Agreeing on provision of premises, facilities and reasonable access;
• Assisting with responses to queries;
• Negotiating, drafting and settling settlement agreements.

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