- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Lawyers for Employment‑Related Tax & Incentives
Senior tax input on employee share schemes, option plans & executive equity arrangements.
ABOUT WATSON Tax LAWYERS
Who We Are
Watson Tax Lawyers advises on the tax aspects of employee share schemes, option plans and other employment‑related incentive arrangements.
These matters sit at the intersection of tax, employment and commercial outcomes. The focus is on designing and reviewing arrangements so that they are tax‑sensible, commercially workable and do not create avoidable problems for either the organisation or the individuals involved.
What We Do in Employment‑Related Tax & Incentives
01
Employee Share Schemes & Option Plans
Advising on the design and tax consequences of employee share schemes and option plans, including when tax is triggered and how benefits are characterised.
The aim is to ensure that documentation and implementation reflect the intended treatment, and that both the organisation and participants understand the implications.
02
Executive Equity & Long‑Term Incentives
Advising on equity and long‑term incentive arrangements for executives and key personnel, including shares, options and other performance‑linked interests.
Work includes considering vesting, exercise and sale events, and aligning tax outcomes with commercial and governance requirements.
03
Review & Rectification of Existing Arrangements
Reviewing existing incentive arrangements where concerns have arisen about their tax treatment or structure, and advising on options for rectification or adjustment.
The focus is on identifying practical solutions that balance tax, employment and commercial considerations.
04
Coordination with Corporate, Employment & Accounting Advisers
Working alongside corporate, employment and accounting advisers on incentive arrangements, so that tax issues are addressed as part of an integrated approach.
This can be particularly important where equity and incentives are part of a broader transaction, restructure or succession plan.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Employers & Boards
Employers and boards designing or reviewing employee share schemes, option plans or executive equity arrangements to support retention and performance.
02
Executives & Key Employees
Executives and key employees who have been offered, or already hold, equity or options and want to understand the tax and structural implications for them personally.
03
Private Groups & Family Businesses
Private groups and family businesses introducing equity or quasi‑equity arrangements for family members, managers or successors as part of broader succession and governance planning.
04
Mid‑Market Companies & Growth Businesses
Mid‑market companies and growing businesses using equity and incentives to attract and retain talent, including in the context of potential future transactions or exits.
05
Accountants, Employment Lawyers & Corporate Advisers
Accountants, employment lawyers and corporate advisers whose clients are implementing or revising incentive arrangements and who require specialist tax input.
06
Founders Planning for Exit Or Investment
Founders planning for external investment or exit, where existing or proposed incentive arrangements need to be reviewed and aligned with transaction structures.
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 | Experience in employee share schemes & executive incentives
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 the tax aspects of employee share schemes, option plans, executive equity and related arrangements.
His work includes advising employers, boards, executives and their advisers on the design, implementation and review of incentive structures, particularly where they interact with broader transaction, governance or succession planning.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Process Works for Employment‑Related Tax & Incentives
01
Confidential Discussion & Outline of Arrangements
We begin with a confidential discussion about the proposed or existing arrangements, the parties involved and the commercial objectives.
02
Review of Structures & Tax Consequences
Anthony reviews the relevant documents and structures, identifies key tax issues and outlines the range of realistic options for design, implementation or adjustment.
03
Structuring, Documentation & Coordination
We design or refine the structure of the arrangements and, where needed, work alongside your existing accountants, corporate and employment advisers so that tax outcomes, documentation and governance are aligned.
04
Ongoing Counsel & Adjustment
As circumstances change — including transactions, role changes or exits — Anthony can assist in reviewing and adjusting arrangements so they continue to function as intended.
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 Employment‑Related Tax & Incentives
I
Senior Tax Judgment on Incentives
Incentive matters are handled personally by Anthony, bringing senior tax and commercial judgment to arrangements that can have long‑term consequences for both organisations and individuals.
II
Alignment of Tax, Employment & Governance
Advice reflects tax rules, employment considerations and governance requirements together, helping to avoid structures that work on paper but fail in practice.
III
Experience Across Private & Mid‑Market Contexts
Anthony has experience advising private groups, family businesses and mid‑market companies on incentive arrangements, including in the context of transactions and succession.
IV
Collaborative with Existing Advisory Teams
Watson Tax Lawyers works alongside existing accountants, corporate advisers and employment lawyers, adding specialist tax input while respecting their ongoing roles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Employment‑Related Tax & Incentives
When should we seek advice on an incentive arrangement?
Ideally before the arrangement is implemented or offered, so that tax, commercial and governance issues can be considered together. We are also often engaged to review existing arrangements where concerns have arisen.
Do you act for employers, employees or both?
We act for employers, boards and private groups, and also for executives and key employees in appropriate cases. We run conflict checks at the outset and are clear about who the client is in any engagement.
How do you work with our existing accountants and employment lawyers?
We typically work alongside your accountants and employment or corporate lawyers. Our role is to provide specialist tax and structuring input while they handle employment contracts, corporate documentation and compliance.
Can you assist where an incentive arrangement is part of a wider transaction or restructure?
Yes. A significant part of this work involves incentives that sit within broader transactions, restructures or succession plans. We advise on how those arrangements interact with the wider structure so they remain workable and tax‑sensible.
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.