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.
Arnold Bloch Leibler Tax Disputes Portal
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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
Zip Co
Netflix Inc
Market Eye
StarRez
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
Recognised as ‘Law Firm of the Year’ for Tax by Best Lawyers International
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. To access our Tax Disputes Portal, click here.
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).
Employee share schemes and incentives
Employers use Employee Share Schemes to attract, retain and motivate staff. Our team provides taxation and regulatory advice to leading ASX listed companies, share registries, employee share trust providers, private companies and innovative start-up businesses on all aspects of the design, implementation and administration of employee share schemes and incentives. To access our dedicated ESS page, click here.
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.
Need more information on doing business or investing in Australia?
Find out more
View our tax guide here.
People
Insights & news

Federal Court delivers landmark win for taxpayers in Division 7A case

Understanding the tax implications of succession planning

Arms of Eve secures strategic investment from Point King Capital

SKY Business Weekend: Shaun Cartoon on how Australia can respond to Trump's tax advantage

Trump’s tax plans will send Aussie businesses to the US

ABL recognised in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025

Key Private Group Tax developments: 2024 year in review

New tax concessions for build-to-rent developments

Key Corporate Tax developments: 2024 year in review

Navigating the Tax landscape: 2025 Outlook for Corporations

Navigating the Tax landscape: 2025 Outlook for private groups

Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in 2025 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

No Vacancy: Victoria’s vacancy tax holiday comes to an end

Eileen Liu recognised as a rising star in Australian tax law

UK Employee Share Ownership guru visits Australia with a tried-and-tested strategy for lifting productivity

Australia’s non-dom opportunity awaits

Family Trust Elections: Are they in vogue?

Lawyer Spotlight: Meet Tim Graham

Lawyer Spotlight: Meet Danielle Ou

Prepping family wealth for an uncertain future

Lawyer Spotlight: Meet Alexander Rasmussen

PepsiCo’s battle with the ATO continues

PepsiCo wins high stakes appeal – Shaun Cartoon outlines the implications in Bloomberg international business bulletin

ATO scrutiny requires wealthy families and their advisers to be vigilant

In conversation with Eileen Liu

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised by Best Lawyers® as ‘Law Firm of the Year’ for Tax

All eyes on PepsiCo appeal of the Federal Court’s embedded royalties decision

ABL advises founder Matt Tripp on betr's landmark merger with BlueBet

No medals for Australia in inaugural survey of employee share schemes

All pop and no fizz for Pepsi – partner Shaun Cartoon explains federal court decision on SKY Business

Is your property affected? A breakdown of Victoria's property tax reforms

Tax Office changed for the better under Jordan

Tax developments for private groups to watch in 2024

Corporate tax developments to watch in 2024

Top corporate tax developments of 2023

Top private group tax developments of 2023

All pop and no fizz for Pepsi! PepsiCo files to appeal federal court’s decision in relation to its intangible arrangement

ABL ranked in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 guide

Important Reforms to be on top of before the new year starts

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in 2024 Chambers Asia Pacific guide
Senate amendments to the Making Multinationals Pay Their Fair Share Bill

ABL acts for AsheMorgan on largest office purchase of the year

ABL advises National Veterinary Associates on sale of VetPartners to EQT Group

Is an unpaid present entitlement a ‘loan’ under Division 7A? AAT says no.

Understanding the proposed debt deduction creation rules

Clint Harding recognised with prestigious award for services to the tax profession

Changes to self-assessing as income tax exempt

Quick action needed to catch family office boom

Changes to thin capitalisation – updated legislation

ABL announces 2023 Partner, Special Counsel and Senior Associate appointments

The rise of specific integrity provisions

Part IVA: more tweaks and turns

Shaun Cartoon discusses ESS policy changes at the Morgan Stanley Australia Summit

Victoria’s COVID Recovery Budget

Deductions for significant global entities for payments relating to intangible assets connected with low corporate tax jurisdictions

ABL acts for Chargrill Charlie’s and its founders on sale to Craveable Brands

A budget promise - changes to the thin capitalisation regime

Court of Appeal says neigh: no land tax exemption for “integrated” horse breeding and racing activities

Government introduces new integrity measures for off-market share buy-backs and franked distributions funded by capital raisings

NSW foreign tax surcharges on the rocks – and more to follow?

Plan to “unmask” beneficial owners a lose/lose overreach

TA 2023/1: Interposition of a holding company to access company profits tax-free

Tax developments for private groups to watch in 2023

Top 5 private group tax developments of 2022

Corporate tax developments to watch in 2023

Top 5 corporate tax developments of 2022

Guardian decision leaves key section 100A questions unanswered

ABL recognised in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023

Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in 2023 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

Dealing with the public and private dichotomy in M&A tax issues

Arnold Bloch Leibler named in the 2022 Doyle’s Guide

Deadline is fast approaching to apply for your Director Identification Number

New regime will enable companies to scale up ambitions for employee ownership

ABL acts on the establishment of new Australian wagering business

New tool to reel in foreign investors

TA 2022/2: Treaty shopping arrangements to obtain reduced withholding tax rates

Tax system quirk could hit executive hip pockets

Meet newly appointed senior associate Micaela Bernfield

Navigating through a Commercial Deals engagement with the Australian Taxation Office

Arnold Bloch Leibler introduces new partner and newly appointed senior associates

Road to tax reform paved with good ideas just waiting to be enacted

New Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle regime

“Experience and a little bit of wisdom”: AFR quotes Mark Leibler on succession planning

ABL co-hosts webinar on Israel – Australia tax considerations

Decrypting the Australian tax implications of donating digital money

Understanding the implications of Addy v Commissioner of Taxation

Arnold Bloch Leibler named ‘Law Firm of the Year’ for Tax

Arnold Bloch Leibler voted Australia’s ‘Law firm of the Year’ in two practice areas

ATO warns super rich of ‘unprecedented powers’ to scrutinise wealth

Regulatory reforms to promote greater employee share ownership

Doing business or investing in Australia: A Tax Guide

Tax and the rule of law: Mark Leibler delivers 2022 Annual Tax Lecture at Melbourne Law School

New era for employee share ownership

Identification requirements for company Directors

“Legal industry doyen” Mark Leibler says GG should strip Dyson Heydon of his AC

ABL acts for Zip on $491m acquisition and latest capital raising

Old wine, new bottles - ATO sharpens focus on trusts and income distributions

New ATO practical compliance guidelines to impact professional services firms
ABL acts for StarRez on strategic investment from Vista Equity Partners

Legal 500 Asia Pacific results 2022

Tax developments for private groups to watch in 2022

Corporate tax developments to watch in 2022

Top 5 corporate tax developments in 2021

BEPS 2.0 – A taxing time for big tech

Top 5 private group tax developments in 2021

Joey Borensztajn recognised at Collingwood Football Club AGM

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in 2022 Chambers Asia Pacific guide

Next 5,000 findings report issued by the ATO

Inbound investments

Arnold Bloch Leibler recognised in the 2021 Doyle’s Guide

High Court provides practical reading of Australia’s tax treaty obligations

Cross-border royalties

To block or not to block

International Taxation 101

ATO sets its sights on undeclared foreign income
ATO targets ‘gifts’ from overseas

Adjusting to a post-COVID world

Prioritise ESS reforms on path to economic recovery

A “softer touch” likely for groups with high assurance rating from ATO

Super fund non-arm’s length income rules in need of urgent reform

ABL advises on sale of Ferocia to Bendigo and Adelaide Bank

ATO ruling aimed at SMSFs could create a “monumental” tax issue for large funds

Rosalie Cattermole: Duty exemptions and concessions for trusts with the Tax Institute

Arnold Bloch Leibler hosts International Fiscal Association Australia tax briefing

Foreign beneficiaries and capital gains

ATO’s interim report on private wealth compliance program

Meet ABL's new Special Counsel Rosalie Cattermole

Vic budget update for landholders and property developers

Australia finally on the map with employee share schemes

From a soft hug to a tight squeeze: ATO tightens its grip on private and high wealth groups

Introducing the Arnold Bloch Leibler Tax Disputes Portal

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
