Tax law · Australia

Tax lawyers in Australia.

ATO audits, objections, Part IVC reviews, settlement deeds, tax planning, structuring, and corporate transactions. We list 24 tax lawyers in Melbourne today (solicitors, firms and barristers), with Doyle’s Guide rankings where they exist and a note on every card saying whether we have checked the register listing. Other cities are added as profiles are claimed and checked.

60 daysTime to lodge an ATO objection

$80m+ATO 2024-25 small business audit recoveries

4 yearsStandard amendment period for individuals

What tax law covers

What tax lawyers handle.

Tax law in Australia spans the Income Tax Assessment Acts, GST Act, Fringe Benefits Tax Act, and state tax legislation. Tax lawyers focus on the disputed and structured edges.

Audit

ATO audits & reviews

Representing taxpayers under ATO audit, including responding to information requests, attending interviews, and managing the audit timeline. Earlier engagement usually produces better outcomes.

Objection

Tax objections

Drafting and lodging objections against ATO assessments. Must be lodged within 60 days (some categories, 2 years). A statutory step before AAT/ART review or Federal Court appeal.

Litigation

Tax litigation

Part IVC reviews in the ART or Federal Court. Penalty disputes, residency disputes, deductibility, and Part IVA general anti-avoidance applications.

Structuring

Tax structuring

Advice on appropriate corporate, trust, and partnership structures for business and investment. Stamp duty, capital gains tax, and small business CGT concessions.

M&A

Transaction tax

Tax-effective structuring of business sales, share sales, asset sales, and reorganisations. Capital gains tax, GST, stamp duty, and rollovers.

International

International tax

Residency planning, double tax agreements, transfer pricing, controlled foreign companies (CFC), and foreign investment income. Increasingly common with mobile professionals and SMEs.

Typical cost

What tax matters typically cost.

Indicative range

$5,000 to $300,000+

Tax matters vary from a $5,000 objection on a small individual dispute to multi-million-dollar litigated structuring disputes. Indicative ranges:

Objection on a straightforward dispute: $3,500–$12,000. Audit response & settlement: $15,000–$80,000. ART review: $25,000–$120,000. Federal Court appeal: $80,000–$500,000+.

Tax disputes often involve both lawyers and accountants. Coordinated engagement reduces duplication and cost.

How a matter typically unfolds

How a tax dispute typically unfolds.

The progression from ATO review to Federal Court appeal. Many matters settle long before the final stage.

ATO information request
A request for documents or information under s264 or successor provisions. Sometimes preliminary to audit; sometimes routine.
Formal audit
A formal audit is opened with a notification letter. The taxpayer has a right to information about the audit’s scope and reasonable time to respond.
Position paper / draft assessment
The ATO sets out its preliminary position. This is the critical engagement point — a well-prepared response can avoid an assessment.
Notice of amended assessment
If the ATO proceeds, a notice of amended assessment is issued. Tax is generally payable within 21 days unless deferred.
Objection
Written objection lodged within 60 days. ATO has up to 60 days to decide (longer for complex matters). About 50% of objections succeed in part or full.
ART or Federal Court review
If unsatisfied, application to the Administrative Review Tribunal (most matters) or appeal to the Federal Court on a question of law. Typical timeframes 12–24 months.

Frequently asked

Common questions

Should I use a tax accountant or a tax lawyer?

Tax accountants prepare returns and provide tax advice within their remit. Tax lawyers act when there is a dispute with the ATO or a complex structuring or transactional matter. Often you’ll engage both, with the lawyer leading and the accountant providing technical support.

What if I can’t pay an ATO assessment?

Engage early. The ATO offers payment arrangements for genuine financial hardship and may grant deferrals while a dispute is on foot. Doing nothing escalates the matter to garnishee orders and director penalty notices.

Is professional advice privileged from the ATO?

Advice from a lawyer is generally protected by legal professional privilege. Advice from an accountant is not, although recent changes have given limited protection to "tax advice" produced by accountants. The privilege position is one reason complex matters often involve both.

Are penalties negotiable?

Administrative penalties (25%, 50%, or 75% of the shortfall) can be reduced for voluntary disclosure, cooperation, and reasonable care. A well-presented submission on penalties can save substantial money even if the underlying assessment stands.

Tax lawyers in Australia.

Solicitor or firm

Accredited specialist

Barrister

Tax lawyers we list in Melbourne 24 listed

Doyle’s First Tier — 13 law firms

Doyle’s Leading / Second Tier — 2 law firms

Doyle’s Recommended / Third Tier — 5 law firms

Listed, no current Doyle’s tier — 4 barristers