
Tax
McCullough Robertson’s specialist team of tax lawyers is one of the largest in Australia and trusted advisors to a range of clients; from multinationals and large corporate groups to privately owned businesses and individuals. We combine our specialist knowledge with legal skills to ensure clients are provided with commercially-focused outcomes.
Strategic tax and revenue advice that protects your interests, always
From federal income and goods and services tax to state taxes and duty, we provide commercial tax advice on all aspects of revenue law that is aligned with our client’s business needs.
We assist clients with technical and commercially-focused advice, allowing them to manage their taxation obligations and withstand scrutiny by the ATO and the State Revenue authorities – with the protection of legal professional privilege where required.
Tax structuring for efficiency, growth, or exit
Our specialist team designs and implements tax-effective restructures and group reorganisations to create efficient business structures, removing barriers for growth, exit or business succession.
Working closely with our corporate M&A lawyers and capital markets teams, we provide transactional assistance on mergers and acquisitions (including income tax, capital gains tax, tax consolidation and duties implications) and debt and equity fundraisings, tax effective incentive arrangements and corporate reorganisations.
We combine our tax knowledge with our legal skills to ensure seamless integration of tax advice and legal documentation.
Tax and stamp duty specialist lawyers
Our tax lawyers have expertise across a full spectrum of taxation matters, with a focus on providing strategic advice which is aligned with our client’s business needs.
With one of the largest and most respected Queensland-based stamp duty practices, our tax and stamp duty specialists advise on the operation of duties legislation nationally.
Litigation lawyers experienced with tax dispute resolution
We help clients navigate complex tax disputes with the ATO and State Revenue authorities at all stages – from rulings, audits and objections to litigation. Our commercial approach means we focus on ensuring tax disputes are resolved quickly and inexpensively where possible, with a proven track record in assisting clients to successfully litigate tax disputes where necessary.
To find out more, contact David Hughes, Duncan Bedford or Melinda Peters.
Our legal expertise
Tax disputes
We assist clients to navigate all stages of ATO compliance activity including reviews, audits, objections, and appeals before the Administrative Review Tribunal and Federal Court. We also have extensive experience in objections and appeals with the State Revenue authorities.
International tax
We are experienced in advising on international tax matters and navigating the maze of Australian tax laws when dealing with foreign tax jurisdictions, and provide practice suggestions and structuring advice to manage international issues.
Mergers and acquisitions
We assist clients with commercial advice on the taxation consequences (including income tax, capital gains tax, tax consolidation and duty) relevant to managing their M&A transaction.
With experience in both domestic and cross border M&A, our clients receive taxation advice that is targeted, practical and precise in relation to merger, acquisition and divestment transactions.
Corporate tax
Alongside our corporate team, we assist clients in navigating complex corporate taxation regimes and regularly advise on a full range of corporate and group taxation issues, including those relevant to initial public offerings, capital raisings, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations, income tax consolidation and other corporate transactions.Indirect taxes
Our tax lawyers have extensive experience assisting clients with indirect taxes and the GST impact of property and commercial transactions and litigation settlements.
We advise clients to navigate their compliance obligations regarding excise duty (alcohol, tobacco and fuel products) and customs duty (including excise equivalent goods).
Superannuation
Our tax lawyers provide specialised advice on the operation of superannuation laws and the taxation of superannuation funds. Our experience includes advising clients on structuring with SMSFs, and managing compliance with superannuation requirements, including operation of the NALI and NALE rules.
We also assist with the treatment of superannuation in the estate planning context and the operation of binding death benefit nominations.
Employment taxes and incentives
Design, implementation and drafting of international and domestic incentive plans – from shares, options, performance rights and share appreciation plans and executive remuneration structures – ensuring they comply with Corporations Act requirements and are tax efficient.
We also advise clients on employment matters such as fringe benefits tax, PAYG-withholding, superannuation guarantee, payroll tax and tax impacts of employment termination payments.
State taxes
Duty, payroll tax and land tax assistance to a range of clients – from smaller enterprises to established businesses including managed funds, corporate groups, government and not-for-profit. We also have specialist expertise in mineral and petroleum royalties.
We help clients navigate State tax obligations, advising on exemptions for restructuring or intergenerational transfers as assisting with lodgements with the State Revenue authorities.
Foreign investment
Our experienced team assists clients to navigate Australia’s framework for the regulation of inbound foreign investment under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) and its associated rules. We are experienced in ascertaining whether approval from Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is required and leverage our expertise in assisting clients pursue their investment opportunities in Australia.
Private clients, SMEs and structuring
Our tax lawyers work closely with corporate and private groups and high net worth individuals looking to optimise their business or family group structure. From design of the ideal structure, to advising on the ability to access CGT and duty concessions, we also assist in implementing the preferred restructure plan.
Assisting many family groups of significant wealth and complexity, to restructure their affairs safely (with ATO sign-off where required).
Entity establishment
We provide simple, easy to use instruction sheets and work with our clients to establish a range of entities, including discretionary trusts, companies, superannuation borrowing instalment funds and unit trusts.
We also regularly prepare deeds of variation where required as part of our clients’ overall structuring needs.
Client results
Your tax team
Let us keep you across the latest developments