🧾 Taxation Lawyers

Tax Lawyers With an Accounting Background

Most tax disputes fall into a gap: accountants understand the numbers but can't run a legal case, and most lawyers understand litigation but not the tax detail. Our principals bridge that gap. They are qualified barristers and lawyers who were previously accredited accountants (Institute of Public Accountants) and ran legal and accounting practices side by side for years. Today they focus on law — bringing that deep, hands-on accounting experience to every tax matter, so we can read your accounts, build the technical argument, and run the legal dispute under one roof.

The Legal Professional Privilege Advantage

This is the difference that matters most in a serious tax dispute. Advice you receive from a lawyer is generally protected by legal professional privilege — the ATO cannot compel you to hand it over. Advice from an accountant alone only attracts a limited administrative concession that the ATO can override. Because we are lawyers, your tax advice and strategy can be properly privileged and protected.

Our Taxation Services

• ATO audits & reviews — managing the audit process and protecting your position from day one
• Tax disputes, objections & appeals — objections to assessments, and appeals to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART, formerly the AAT) and Federal Court
• Tax debt & payment arrangements — negotiating with the ATO, payment plans, and remission of interest and penalties
• Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) — urgent advice for company directors facing personal liability for company tax debts
• Tax penalties & voluntary disclosures — minimising penalties and making voluntary disclosures the right way
• Tax fraud & evasion defence — defending serious matters where prosecution is a risk
• GST, income tax & superannuation disputes
• Garnishee notices & recovery action — responding to ATO enforcement
• State Revenue Office (SRO) disputes — land tax, land transfer (stamp) duty, vacant residential land tax, foreign purchaser duty and payroll tax

State Revenue Office (SRO) & Land Tax Disputes

Tax disputes aren't only with the ATO. The Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) administers land tax, land transfer (stamp) duty, the vacant residential land tax, foreign purchaser additional duty and payroll tax — and assessments often get it wrong. We help clients challenge incorrect land tax assessments, apply for exemptions (such as the principal place of residence and primary production exemptions), object to assessments, negotiate liabilities and penalties, and appeal to VCAT or the courts where needed. With property values pushing more owners into land tax each year, getting the assessment right can save you thousands.

Defending Accountants & Tax Agents Against the TPB

If you're a tax agent, BAS agent or accountant under investigation by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), your registration and livelihood are on the line. We defend practitioners against TPB investigations, Code of Professional Conduct allegations, and proposed sanctions including suspension or termination of registration. As lawyers with first-hand accounting experience — having previously run an accredited accounting practice — we understand both the regulatory framework and the day-to-day realities of practice.

Frequently Asked Questions