Tax Lawyer Australia

Australian Taxation Legal Advice and Representation

Dealing with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), managing complex business taxation obligations or making important financial decisions can be challenging without clear legal advice.

Chris Garlick provides independent taxation legal advice and representation to individuals, businesses, trustees, accountants and professional advisers throughout Australia.

His work covers ATO audits, taxation disputes, business taxation, international tax law, Capital Gains Tax (CGT), tax residency, trusts, Division 7A and taxation litigation.

Whether you’re responding to an ATO enquiry, restructuring a business, managing investments or planning a significant transaction, Chris can provide advice based on your circumstances.

ATO Audits and Tax Disputes

An ATO audit, amended assessment or penalty notice can have significant financial consequences for individuals and businesses.

Understanding your legal position and available options early can be important, particularly when statutory deadlines apply.

Chris provides advice and representation involving:

• ATO audits and reviews: Responding to ATO enquiries, investigations and compliance activities.
• Tax objections: Challenging taxation assessments and decisions through the formal objection process.
• Administrative Review Tribunal: Representation in eligible taxation review proceedings.
• Federal Court taxation litigation: Advice and representation in taxation proceedings and appeals.
• Tax penalties: Reviewing penalty assessments and available options for challenging them.
• Tax debt disputes: Advice concerning ATO recovery action and disputed taxation liabilities.
• Garnishee notices: Understanding legal options when the ATO takes action to recover outstanding taxation debts.

Obtaining legal advice before responding to significant ATO decisions may help protect your position and clarify the steps available.

Business Taxation Law

Business taxation obligations can arise when establishing a company, operating through a trust, restructuring a business or selling commercial assets.

The taxation consequences of these decisions can be significant, particularly where multiple entities, shareholders or beneficiaries are involved.

Chris provides legal advice concerning:

• Business restructures and transactions.
• Company taxation obligations.
• Trust taxation and distributions.
• Division 7A and private company payments.
• Business sales and acquisitions.
• Small business CGT concessions.
• Taxation implications of asset protection arrangements.
• Taxation aspects of business and investment structures.

Each matter requires consideration of the relevant taxation legislation, commercial circumstances and individual objectives.

International Tax Law

International taxation matters arise when individuals or businesses have income, assets, investments or operations across multiple countries.

Australian taxation obligations may continue to apply even when a person lives overseas or a business operates through foreign entities.

Chris provides advice on:

• Australian tax residency.
• Double Taxation Agreements.
• Transfer pricing.
• Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules.
• Offshore investments and foreign income.
• Cross-border business transactions.
• International withholding tax.
• Taxation disputes involving international arrangements.

Legal advice may be particularly important when relocating overseas, investing internationally or managing taxation obligations across different jurisdictions.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Capital Gains Tax can arise when selling property, disposing of investments, transferring business assets or restructuring ownership arrangements.

The taxation outcome depends on factors including the type of asset, ownership structure, residency status and any available exemptions or concessions.

Chris provides advice involving:

• Property sales and disposals.
• Business sales.
• Shares and investment assets.
• Main residence exemptions.
• Small business CGT concessions.
• Trust ownership arrangements.
• Capital gains tax consequences of restructuring.

Obtaining advice before a transaction may help identify relevant taxation obligations and determine whether exemptions or concessions are available.

Tax Residency and Overseas Relocation

Moving overseas or returning to Australia can create important taxation questions.

Australian tax residency is determined by legal tests that consider a person’s circumstances, connections and arrangements rather than citizenship alone.

Chris provides advice concerning Australian tax residency, foreign income, overseas relocation and disputes involving the ATO’s assessment of residency status.

Why Work With Chris Garlick?

Taxation matters can involve substantial financial consequences, strict deadlines and complicated legal questions.

Chris provides independent legal advice, written taxation opinions and representation in taxation disputes and litigation.

He works with individuals, business owners, trustees, accountants, solicitors and other professional advisers throughout Australia.

His approach focuses on understanding the legal issues, explaining the available options and providing practical advice relevant to each client’s circumstances.

Speak With Chris About Your Taxation Matter

If you’re dealing with an ATO audit, taxation dispute, business transaction or another complex taxation issue, Chris can discuss your circumstances and the legal options available.

Contact Chris Garlick directly to discuss your taxation matter.

Phone: 0417 427 535

Email: garlick.qldbar@gmail.com