Our experience
Arnold Bloch Leibler is renowned within the Australian business, legal and accounting communities as being the ‘go-to’ taxation law practice for corporate leaders, major companies and wealthy private clients.
We are often sought by our clients to advise on high-profile taxation audits and disputes and to provide commercial tax advice on complex commercial transactions. Our tax lawyers have formidable taxation knowledge and an unrivalled reputation for vigorously negotiating with the highest ranking officials from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Members of our tax team advise Government on revenue law issues, hold prominent positions on taxation-related steering and advisory committees and are active in professional education.
“Their advice has always been on point and succinct and their people have been great to work with. They listen and they get results."
Our clients
As most of ABL’s tax matters are highly confidential, the firm does not generally disclose the specific details of our clients in this practice area, or the assistance that we provide to them. However, our client base includes:
- high-wealth individuals and family groups
- major shareholders of Australia’s largest privately owned and family run companies
- the founders of successful start-ups
- charitable and not-for-profit foundations
- trustees of large private funds
- innovative and entrepreneurial private equity houses
- accountants, investment advisers and other professional services providers
- ASX 200 listed companies, and
- the chief executive officers and senior executives of major corporations.
Major transactional work
Nufarm Limited
Royal Bank of Canada
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
Ashe Morgan
Vector Advanced Metering Services (Australia) Pty Ltd
RCG Corporation Limited
Apollo Global and Oaktree Capital
Värde Partners
carsales.com.au
The Middleby Corporation
Charter Hall Group and Host Plus
“Their performance is outstanding. They have the right contacts in the ATO, the necessary technical and commercial skills to negotiate settlements and they’re creative.”
Taxation services
Taxation audits and disputes
ABL is the tax controversy sector leader in end-to-end management of taxation disputes and litigation arising from ATO compliance activities and audits. We act for high-net-worth individuals, private company groups and publicly listed companies regarding taxation audits, voluntary disclosures and defending claims brought by the ATO.
Tax advice on major transactions
The taxation practice’s transaction advisory capabilities encompass advice in relation to the taxation implications of merger and acquisition transactions (including the purchase and sale of assets both domestically and overseas), restructuring both insolvent and solvent corporate groups, employee share schemes and executive remuneration, and inbound and outbound investment in Australia (including venture capital and cross-border financing).
Trusts
The taxation practice has extensive expertise in the areas of trusts, estate and succession planning, and the structuring and reorganisation of affairs to ensure they are tax efficient.
International taxation
Many of our clients are involved in cross-border transactions or have dealings with family or company groups with members based overseas. We advise clients of the Australian tax consequences of their offshore dealings and structures. The taxation practice also provides cross-border tax advice to individuals who are returning to, or departing from, Australia.
People
Insights & news

ABL acts for ME Bank on its $1.325bn sale to BOQ

2021 Legal 500 Asia Pacific results

Arnold Bloch Leibler features in 2021 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

Q&A with returned Tax Partner Shaun Cartoon

Clint Harding recognised as one of Australia’s finest tax partners

Tax senior associate Peter Scott considers the scope and limits of the single entity rule
Quick takes on tax: NSW and Vic state tax and FIRB topical issues
Quick takes on tax: Section 100A

Quick takes on tax: 99B and transferor trusts issues

Quick takes on tax: International issues with trusts and CGT

“A product of and a shaper of this community” – AJN features The Powerbroker: Mark Leibler, an Australian Jewish Life

AFR extract of The Powerbroker “explores the Jewish roots of one of Australia's most influential law firms”

“How Mark Leibler exercises his power and influence”: AFR Weekend

Weekend Australian extract of The Powerbroker: “His influence far exceeds his public profile”

AJN previews Mark Leibler biography: “A unique insight into a communal legend”

Launch of 'The Powerbroker: Mark Leibler, An Australian Jewish Life'

Changes to NSW property laws 'reinventing history'

Changes to the application of foreign surcharges for trusts acquiring or holding NSW residential property

ATO announcement: Extensions of time to make minimum yearly repayments for Division 7A loans

2020 Deakin Law School Academic Excellence Awards

ABL helps Zip Co accelerate global expansion plans with US deals

Another brick in the wall – the Greensill decision and Australia's international tax policy settings

Ronald, McDonald’s and the case of pre-paid rent

COVID-19 Payroll Tax Concessions Snapshot

Superannuation amnesty passed by parliament!

Peter Scott announced as ‘Emerging Tax Star’ finalist

ATO joins global coordinated fight against tax evasion, expected to implicate hundreds of Australians

Australia/Israel tax treaty enters into force

Expansion of the Tax Avoidance Taskforce for private groups and high wealth individuals

Muddled tax residency rules “embarrassing”

ABL hosts ANZ chief Shayne Elliott in Sydney

ABL provides Victorian stamp duty guidance at round table event

Paul Sokolowski features in ATO Commercial Deals video

ATO watching for foreign income – implementation of the new Common Reporting Standard

ABL advises Charter Hall on $1.43b property portfolio investment

Warning for recipients of foreign trust distributions!

New partner Jonathan Ortner on market trends

2019 Partner, Special Counsel and Senior Associate announcement

ABL advises Starwood Capital on $220m development facility

Joey Borensztajn receives Queen’s Birthday Honour

Property developers and investors: the Victorian Budget changes will impact you!

Jonathan Ortner: Small business a winner in 2019 federal budget

Australia and Israel sign a new tax treaty

Moving or living overseas? Recent case clarifies the scope of individual tax residency rules

2020 Best Lawyers® International results
Paul Sokolowski awarded 'Chartered Tax Adviser of the Year'

Clint Harding on IP, goodwill, and protecting the recipe

2019 Tax Adviser of the Year Awards

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific results 2019

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in the 2018 Doyle’s Guide

Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in Chambers Asia Pacific 2019

Clint Harding features on Money News with Ross Greenwood

ABL hosts farewell function for Inspector-General of Taxation

Profile on Clint Harding: 2018 Corporate Tax Adviser of the Year

Arnold Bloch Leibler hosts workshop for Sri Lankan delegation

Federal Court decision offers lessons for investors

Mark Leibler: Without serious tax reform, Australia’s economic competitiveness will be undermined

ATO announces new penalty relief for inadvertent errors

ESICs and the problem with company group structures

Tougher tax rules to snare foreign execs

Paul Sokolowski takes out Tax Partner of the Year

ABL advises Specialty Fashion Group on brand portfolio sale

Post Project DO IT – Offshore voluntary disclosures

Legal insights on the Federal Budget

GST withholding tax on sales of new residential premises and subdivisions only two months away!

Christine Fleer and Paul Sokolowski finalists for Partner of the Year 2018

33 ABL lawyers listed in Best Lawyers 2019 guide

Systemic failure or isolated mistakes by the ATO?

Further recognition for ABL’s renowned tax practice

ATO powers: The Australian responds to Mark Leibler’s Tax Institute speech

ABL advises Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

Clint Harding named Corporate Tax Adviser of the Year

Perspectives on tax administration: Mark Leibler addresses the 2018 Tax Institute Convention

ABL acts for CrownBet founders in transformative transactions with Crown, Stars Group and William Hill

Two ABL finalists announced in 2018 ‘Tax Adviser of the Year’ Awards

Women in Tax: ABL’s Kaitilin Lowdon profiled

ABL advises on sale of global cybersecurity arm to KPMG
