Australia

The tax team led by Vivian Chang at Ashurst Australia has a strong strength in indirect tax, providing stamp duty, GST, payroll tax, and land tax services. Direct tax services include income tax, international tax, and withholding taxes. Most of its tax professionals have experience working in the Big Four accounting firms. In addition, it has a strong tax disputes team.  

One recent work highlight showed the team advised a local real estate client as a lead counsel. Partner Vivian Chang led the team to support the client by advising on the tax and duty aspects of the project. Other key clients include the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), Oxford Properties Group, and Ivanhoé Cambridge.

The team at Baker McKenzie is led by John Walker. Other key practitioners are Miles Hurst and Simone Bridges. Miles Hurst specializes in income tax and focuses on major projects, M&A, and financing arrangements. The team provides tax practices such as indirect tax, dispute resolution, wealth management, and employment taxes. In addition, it has a strong reputation in the renewable and alternative energy sector regarding tax practice.  

A recent example of the team’s work includes supporting Real Asset Management (RAM) as a lead tax advisor in various fund projects. It assisted the client in complex fund creation and restructuring. The team also provided general corporate tax services to clients such as Origin Energy Limited, 5E Advanced Materials, and DoorDash.

Deloitte Australia’s Tax & Legal business team is led by Brett Greig. The transfer pricing team is supported by partners Geoff Gill and Paul Riley. In addition to tax advice and compliance services, the team is capable to resolve Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) Advance Pricing Arrangements (“APAs”) and disputes.  

One recent example of the team’s work saw it support the client in a transfer pricing controversy matter. It assisted the client in transfer pricing documentation, reviewing audit matters, and negotiating settlements with the ATO.  

The team welcomed a total of 6 new partners in 2022. Before joining Deloitte Australia, Sharon Murray, and Christopher Ferguson worked for ATO. 

The team at DLA Piper Australia is led by Jock McCormack. Other key professionals are Eddie Ahn and Paul McNab. It has a strong capability in international tax practice as it is supported by its global team of more than 400 tax lawyers and economists. It also offers services including corporate tax law, business-related matters, and corporate transactions. It serves clients covering the real estate, technology, insurance, and funds sectors.  

Led by Eddie Ahn, the team recently advised Leidos Holdings on the Australian tax aspects in an acquisition for approximately AUD 310 million. It worked closely with DLA Piper’s UK teams and Australian corporate team in this cross-border transaction.  

New tax partner Adam Smith joined the team in 2022. He specializes in income tax, GST, and stamp duty. 

KPMG Australia has maintained its leading position in the tax market. The tax team expanded to over 1200 professionals. Kristie Schubert and Sophie Lewis are the key partners for the tax controversy practice and transfer pricing practice respectively. In addition to providing high-standard general tax services, it offered external seminars and events for raising awareness of the OECD's Two-Pillar Solution (BEPS 2.0) to the clients.  

The team recently assisted Atlas Arteria in an acquisition of a majority stake in the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge in the US. It provided comprehensive multi-jurisdictional advice on complex commercial, taxation, legal and regulatory matters to the client in the deal. 

Director Nikol Davies left the team in 2022. She previously worked in the Deals, Tax, and Legal Practice of KPMG Melbourne. 

Transfer Pricing Solutions is a recommended boutique transfer pricing firm in Australia. It is a member of Altus Alliance, which is a global network of independent transfer pricing advisors. The team is led by the founding director Shannon Smit. It delivers high standards of transfer pricing services including documentation and implementation, benchmarking, economic analysis, and financial modeling.  

One of the case studies showed that the team assisted a high-technology instrumentation company in transfer pricing compliance, risk management, audit, and dispute resolution. It worked closely with local consultants and in-house finance and accounting teams in this multi-jurisdictional project. 

Transfer Pricing Solutions is a recommended boutique transfer pricing firm in Australia. It is a member of Altus Alliance, which is a global network of independent transfer pricing advisors. The team is led by the founding director Shannon Smit. It delivers high standards of transfer pricing services including documentation and implementation, benchmarking, economic analysis, and financial modeling.  

One of the case studies showed that the team assisted a high-technology instrumentation company in transfer pricing compliance, risk management, audit, and dispute resolution. It worked closely with local consultants and in-house finance and accounting teams in this multi-jurisdictional project.