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tax lawyers &
business structuring
Ensuring your business is structured correctly protects assets and minimises tax liabilities. A well-planned structure can significantly impact growth potential and profitability. While clients can consult in-person with an experienced tax lawyer based in Melbourne, Brisbane or Dandenong, our tax lawyers also advise clients tax in Sydney, across Australia and internationally. Our team will help you establish a strong foundation, safeguard your assets, and avoid potential complications with the Australian Tax Office (ATO).
We want to help our clients grow.
At Macpherson Kelley, we deliver more than legal advice – we provide strategic business solutions. Our team bridges tax law, asset protection and commercial accounting to develop tax strategies that support your long-term success. In addition, the tax team work closely with accounting practices, providing a service that bridges the gap between accounting and the law on areas such as State tax exemptions, payroll tax de-grouping and retention of ABN restructures.
Macpherson Kelley’s tax team are respected within the industry and are recognised in Doyle’s Guide 2023 and 2024 as a Recommended Tax Law firm.
services
- Asset protection
- Business structure/restructuring
- Duties
- Land Tax
- Payroll Tax
- Ruling & Objections for State and Federal tax
- State and Federal tax disputes
- Tax structuring
- Trusts
- Asset protection
- Business structure/restructuring
- Capital raising
- Consolidated groups
- Duties
- Land Tax
- Mergers and acquisition/demergers
- Payroll Tax
- Property distributions and vesting
- Ruling & Objections for State and Federal tax
- Sale of business/equity
- State and Federal tax disputes
- Tax disputes management and resolution
- Tax risk management
- Trust structures
recent experience
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division 7a relief
This particular client had ventured out of their usual practice of using companies to acquire their investments and had bought two Queensland properties as investments via a discretionary trust. The Division 7A repayments had become burdensome. The Tax team facilitated a restructure to corporatise the discretionary trust without duty so as to eliminate the Division 7A loan.
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restructuring to grow
An IT company wanted to raise money from investors to help it grow. Their options were limited because the company was structured as a trust, to going to a bank and taking out a loan. The company didn’t want to take on debt and instead wanted to bring in new equity investors. We advised on how to restructure the company so they could raise capital from new investors by issuing equity in the company. The company successfully raised what it needed to expand its business and is realising its growth strategy.
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streamlining company for sale
The way in which a pharmaceutical company was structured was not attractive to potential purchasers, meaning our client was not on a good footing to negotiate the best sale price. We advised the client on how to restructure its businesses and property holdings into a more streamlined structure to facilitate a ‘cleaner’ sale. In addition, we ensured the restructure took advantage of available CGT and stamp duty exemptions. The restructure resulted in no adverse tax and stamp duty consequences and when it came time to sell, the new, simpler legal structure resulted in a tangible increase in the purchase price offered by the purchaser.
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getting established for global expansion
After a successful pharmaceutical consulting firm won a tender to provide services to a large Hong Kong company, the owners called on Macpherson Kelley to advise them on their international expansion. They wanted a new corporate structure to enable them to expand to Hong Kong and more countries in the future. The restructure also needed to be tax effective and flexible as they planned to sell down some of their shareholding to private equity investors and list on the share market in the future. We helped the owners navigate complex international tax issues, enabling them to expand to Hong Kong. We also connected them to our network of corporate advisors to help them sell down to private equity and plan their initial public offering.
common questions
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What is tax structuring?
Tax structuring is the way a business or investment is organised to improve tax efficiency and reduce tax liabilities. A well-considered structure can influence taxation, business growth, risk management, and future opportunities. Strategic tax structuring helps protect assets, manage risks, and enhance overall financial outcomes. It’s a key service provided by our experienced tax lawyers.
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How can corporate tax planning & risk management help my business?
Effective corporate tax planning and risk management are essential for businesses to thrive while staying compliant with Australian tax law. At Macpherson Kelley, we help businesses navigate the complexities of tax law, defending our clients’ interests when tax disputes inevitably arise.. In addition to dispute resolution, our services include tax risk management, strategic tax planning that aligns with your business goals, and optimises opportunities and safeguards against future tax issues.
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At Macpherson Kelley, we provide real-world solutions for businesses seeking strategic tax and asset protection planning. Whether you’re considering trust business structures, a company trust structure, or evaluating which business structure is best for tax purposes, our legal team offers practical guidance tailored to your goals.
Our reputation as leading tax and asset protection lawyers is built on our hands-on approach, commercial understanding, and clear legal solutions. We work proactively to help you:
- Protect business and personal assets
- Resolve disputes with the ATO
- Implement effective tax risk management strategies
- Plan for growth with sustainable tax structuring
Stay informed by subscribing to our news and tips newsletter for tax law and business structuring insights.
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How can a tax lawyer assist with litigation & disputes?
When facing complex taxation disputes, a skilled tax lawyer can make all the difference. Recommended by Doyle’s Guide as one of the leading tax law firms, Macpherson Kelley specialises in handling even the most challenging tax litigation.
Whatever your business may be facing, our experienced taxation lawyers will provide expert guidance and develop effective strategies to secure the best outcome. We ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge, tools, and support to navigate tax appeals and litigation with confidence.
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Is a tax lawyer the same as a tax attorney?
In Australia, the terms tax lawyer or tax solicitor are used, while tax attorney is commonly used in the United States. Our expert legal team provides the same high-quality advice, tailored specifically to Australian tax laws and business needs.
book an appointment
If you’re searching for a trusted tax lawyer near me, our team is here to help. Whether you’re navigating tax compliance, planning, or disputes, we provide tailored legal guidance to ensure your business remains tax-efficient and compliant.
Book an appointment today to discuss your tax strategy, or visit one of our offices:
tax
lawyers
Dominic Moon
principal lawyer, commercial | tax
John Ioannou
principal lawyer and national head of tax commercial | tax
Elizabeth Allen
special counsel, commercial | tax
Hayden Bentley
chief tax counsel, commercial | tax
Thomas Abraham
special counsel, commercial | tax
Emma Carr
senior associate, commercial | tax
recent news
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discover what makes macpherson kelley different
discover what makes macpherson kelley different