Taxation

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."

Client quote, Chambers Asia Pacific

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

Advised on tax issues associated with Nufarm's refinancing of its global secured syndicated bank facility ($485 million).

Royal Bank of Canada

Provided income tax advice in connection with the Australian aspects of the restructure of Civeo's $750 million global facilities.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited

Advised in relation to Fonterra's sale of its Australian yoghurt and dairy dessert business, specifically on GST and income tax issues, and assisted in drafting and negotiating documentation.

Ashe Morgan

Provided comprehensive income tax advice in connection with the structuring, documentation and financing aspects of Ashe Morgan's equity and debt arrangements for the acquisition of TC Beirne and related Chinatown properties in Queens

Vector Advanced Metering Services (Australia) Pty Ltd

Advised on tax aspects of Vector's rollout of smart meters for the supply of electricity in New South Wales, Australia. As part of the transaction, Vector has entered into arrangements with Origin Energy Retail Limited for the provisi

RCG Corporation Limited

Advised in relation to the $200 million acquisition of Accent Group Limited, the owner of the retail chain Platypus Shoes and the distributor and retailer of global brands such as Vans and Dr Martens.

Apollo Global and Oaktree Capital

Advised in relation to the $3.4 billion restructure of Nine Entertainment.

Värde Partners

Advised in relation to the $400 million recapitalisation and acquisition of Redcape Property Group (with York Capital and Goldman Sachs).

carsales.com.au

Advised in relation to its $60.1 million acquisition of a majority stake in Stratton Finance.

The Middleby Corporation

Advised on taxation aspects of the NASDAQ listed The Middleby Corporation’s successful acquisition of Goldstein Eswood, one of Australia’s leading commercial kitchen equipment manufacturers.

Charter Hall Group and Host Plus

Advised in relation to a joint acquisition of a $600 million property portfolio.

“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.”

Client quote, Chambers Asia Pacific

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.