Tax Law and International Tax Law

The quote sometimes attributed to Vladimir Lenin that “there are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen” seems particularly appropriate in relation to the 2026 Federal Budget.

The Australian Federal Budget for 2026-2027 introduces sweeping reforms to the tax system, including a controversial 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, abolition of the 50% CGT discount in favor of cost base ...

There are significant tax developments underway that have the potential to materially impact private equity debt and investment structures in Australia. Private equity investors can expect the Australian Taxation Office...

The most significant shift in Australian tax enforcement is not tax rates, but the convergence of transparency, enforcement and foreign investment scrutiny – elevating tax into a first‑order governance and reputational risk for boards.

Australia's proposed capital gains tax reforms will dramatically expand what constitutes taxable Australian real property for foreign investors, capturing previously exempt assets like solar farms and infrastructure. The most controversial aspect is the retrospective application dating back to 2006, potentially exposing foreign investors to unexpected tax liabilities on historical transactions they believed were compliant.

On 12 May 2026, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down what he described as “the most important and ambitious Budget in decades”. The backdrop was demanding: a global oil shock driven by conflict in the Middle East, headline inflation forecast to reach 5% by mid-2026, and sustained cost-of-living pressure on households and businesses.

The decision is particularly important for property developers using the margin scheme and for taxpayers who adopt conservative GST positions while awaiting certainty from the ATO.

Early legal input at the structuring stage often makes the difference between a development model that withstands regulatory scrutiny and one that becomes costly to unwind.

This case helpfully lists a number of recent cases in which the court has explored the issue of the potential for 'double dipping'.

The 2026 federal Budget introduced significant changes to capital gains tax, negative gearing, and discretionary family trusts that may impact your estate planning strategy.

In this edition of It depends, partners Scott Hay-Bartlem and Clinton Jackson bring the latest updates on the government's proposed tax on large super balances, including the introduction of indexation.

Much has been written about the ever approaching "unprecedented" intergenerational wealth transfer, in which between AU$3.5 trillion and Au$5.4 trillion in assets is expected to pass from the Baby Boomers to their heirs.