Tax Litigation and Appeals

Being served with court papers can make a tax problem feel overwhelming. You may be worried about your business, your assets or the consequences of a criminal charge. You need to know what is happening and who is going to handle it.

Tax Lawyers represents individuals and companies in tax litigation. We explain what the other side is seeking, identify the deadlines and prepare the response. We pursue settlement where it serves your interests and prepare for a contested hearing where that is required.

The proceedings we handle

• Representing individual taxpayers in tax controversy, tax debt collection and tax-related criminal proceedings in the Magistrates Court, District Court and Supreme Court.
• Defending failure-to-lodge and tax fraud prosecutions, with advice on the charges, evidence and available response.
• Representing company taxpayers in tax disputes and winding up applications in the Federal Court.
• Preparing objections to assessments, penalties and other reviewable tax decisions.
• Conducting tax reviews in the Administrative Review Tribunal and appeals in the Federal Court, including questions of law where available.
• Negotiating settlement and seeking an early resolution where this is in your interests.

A lawyer who takes responsibility for the case

• We check the court documents and explain what must be done, by whom and by when.
• We test the ATO’s position against the records and identify the evidence needed to support yours.
• We prepare the correspondence, submissions and court documents, and coordinate barristers, accountants or other experts where needed.
• We explain the risks and costs before you make decisions about defending, negotiating or appealing.

Before the agreed work starts, you receive an upfront fixed-fee quote. If a new stage requires further work, we discuss its scope and cost with you first. You have enough uncertainty to deal with; your legal fees should be clear.