- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Lawyers for Tax Advice, Transaction Structuring & ATO Matters
Senior tax counsel for complex transactions, private groups & serious ATO engagements.
ABOUT WATSON Tax LAWYERS
Who We Are
Watson Tax Lawyers advises on significant tax issues arising in transactions, restructures, property and development projects, business decisions and dealings with the Australian Taxation Office.
The focus is not limited to disputes. Much of the value of senior tax advice lies in structuring matters correctly at the outset — so that the transaction is legally robust, tax‑effective and aligned with the client’s commercial objective — and in approaching ATO engagements with a clear, carefully thought‑through strategy.
What We Do in Tax, Structuring & ATO Matters
01
Transaction Structuring & Strategic Tax Advice
Tax advice on proposed transactions, restructures, investments, business sales and succession arrangements, including employee equity, share and option plans.
The aim is to identify tax risks early, consider alternatives and design structures that support the commercial deal rather than fighting against it.
02
Property, Development & Investment Tax Advisory
Advice on tax issues affecting property groups, developers and investors, including development arrangements, project structuring, entity choice, GST treatment, margin scheme issues, transfer duty and land tax.
The focus is on combining tax, commercial structure and project realities so that major property and investment matters proceed with eyes open.
03
ATO Reviews, Audits & Tax Controversy
Representation in dealings with the ATO, including reviews, audits, objections, settlement negotiations and litigation strategy.
Watson Tax Lawyers assists clients to understand the technical issues, assess the strength of their position, manage risk and develop a practical path through ATO processes.
04
Employment‑Related Tax & Incentives
Senior tax input on employee share schemes, option plans and executive equity arrangements, including the interaction between tax, employment and commercial outcomes.
The goal is to design incentives that are attractive to key people while avoiding unnecessary tax surprises or structural problems later.
05
GST, Stamp Duty & State Taxes
Advice on GST, margin scheme, transfer duty (stamp duty), land tax and payroll tax implications of transactions, developments and restructures.
Work includes identifying state and indirect tax exposures, managing combinations of federal and state taxes, and avoiding costly missteps in documentation and implementation.
06
Working with Accountants, Lawyers & Advisers
Watson Tax Lawyers often works alongside accountants, commercial lawyers and other advisers who remain closely involved with the client.
Anthony is engaged to provide specialist tax input where the matter has moved beyond internal capacity, with the aim of complementing — not displacing — existing advisory relationships.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Private Groups & Family Businesses
Private groups and family‑owned businesses whose tax and commercial affairs are closely intertwined — where a transaction, restructure or ATO engagement can affect both the business and the individuals behind it.
02
Family Offices & High-Net-Worth Families
Family offices and high‑wealth families dealing with tax, structuring and ATO issues across groups of companies, trusts and investment entities, often involving succession or control questions.
03
Property Developers & Investors
Property developers and investors involved in significant development projects, acquisitions, disposals or restructures where income tax, GST, duty and land tax all need to be considered together.
04
Mid‑Market Companies & their Directors
Mid‑market companies and their directors facing complex tax consequences of business decisions, funding arrangements, restructures or ATO scrutiny.
05
Executives, CFOs & Senior Professionals
Executives, CFOs and senior professionals responsible for major decisions on transactions, employee equity and group structure, who need senior tax judgment rather than generic advice.
06
Accountants, Lawyers & other Advisers
Accountants, commercial lawyers and other advisers whose clients are involved in substantial tax issues or ATO engagements, and who require specialist support or co‑counsel input from a senior tax practitioner.
Discuss Your Matter in Confidence.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
BY THE NUMBERS
40+
Years advising on tax, commercial and private wealth matters
28
Years as a partner at Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills
100+
Significant transactions, projects and disputes.
150+
Private groups, family offices and high-net-worth clients advised
Solicitor & Chartered Accountant | 35+ years’ experience in tax, private groups & ATO matters
founder of watson tax lawyers
Meet Anthony Watson
Anthony Watson is the principal of Watson Tax Lawyers. He is both a solicitor and a chartered accountant, with more than 35 years’ experience advising on significant tax issues, transaction structuring and ATO matters for private groups, family offices and businesses.
His work is directed to matters where technical tax knowledge and commercial judgment need to be brought together — whether the issue is structuring a major transaction, navigating a complex ATO review or resolving a longstanding tax exposure within a private group.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Process Works for Tax & ATO Matters
01
Confidential Discussion & Mapping
We start with a focused discussion of the structures involved, the transactions or ATO issues on the table, and what is at stake commercially and personally.
02
Initial View & Scope of Work
Anthony sets out an initial view of the technical position, the range of viable options and the level of work required, so you can decide whether and how to proceed.
03
Strategy, Structuring & ATO Engagement
We design and document a clear path forward — whether that is structuring a transaction, rectifying historical issues, or preparing for and managing an ATO review, audit or objection.
04
Implementation & Ongoing Judgment
Implementation is handled with care and discretion, with Anthony remaining involved so that new facts, counterparties or ATO positions are dealt with using the same senior judgment that set the strategy.
Discuss Your Matter in Confidence.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Watson Tax Lawyers for Tax & ATO Matters
I
Senior Tax Judgment Only
Every tax and ATO matter is handled by Anthony personally. You deal directly with a senior tax lawyer and chartered accountant, not a leveraged team.
II
Tax & Commercial Lens Together
Advice is shaped by both the legislation and the commercial realities facing owners, directors and families. Structures and strategies are designed to support the deal or resolution, not obstruct it.
III
Deep Experience with Private Groups & ATO
Anthony has decades of experience acting for private groups, property developers, investors and high‑wealth individuals in both advisory and contentious ATO matters, including reviews, audits and disputes.
IV
Collaborative with Existing Advisers
Watson Tax Lawyers is built to work alongside your existing accountants and lawyers. The aim is to add specialist tax capacity where needed, while respecting the relationships you already have in place.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tax & ATO Matters
When should we involve Watson Tax Lawyers on a tax matter?
Typically when the matter is high‑stakes or complex – for example a major transaction or restructure, a significant property or development project, an ATO review or audit, or a longstanding exposure within a private group. Many engagements begin when an accountant or lawyer decides they want senior tax support before the issue escalates.
Do you replace our existing accountant or tax agent?
No. In most cases we work alongside your existing accountant, tax agent or commercial lawyer. They remain involved and continue to handle day‑to‑day compliance, while Anthony focuses on the specific transaction, ATO engagement or structural issue that requires specialist input.
Do you only act in disputes with the ATO?
No. A large part of the practice is advisory — structuring transactions correctly at the outset, designing incentives, managing GST and state tax exposures, and rectifying issues before they become contentious. When matters are already in review, audit or dispute, we then apply the same judgment to defending your position and negotiating outcomes.
Do you act for individuals as well as companies and groups?
Yes. Anthony acts for individuals, companies, trustees and private groups. Often the work involves all of these together, because the individual, the entities and the family or business context are closely connected.
DISCUSS YOUR MATTER IN CONFIDENCE
Begin a Confidential Conversation.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
- Watson Tax Lawyers will review your enquiry and respond as soon as practicable. The firm will confirm separately whether it is able to act and, if so, the applicable terms of engagement.