- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
'SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Lawyers for Property, Development & Investment Tax Advisory
Senior tax input for property groups, developers, investors & major projects.
ABOUT WATSON Tax LAWYERS
Who We Are
Watson Tax Lawyers advises on tax issues affecting property groups, developers, investors and major commercial projects.
This includes development arrangements, capital transactions, project structuring, entity choice, GST treatment, margin scheme issues, transfer duty, land tax, payroll tax, tax risk allocation, financing arrangements, revenue authority engagement and disputes arising from large‑scale property and investment activity. The practice is well suited to matters where tax, commercial structure and project execution need to be considered together.
What We Do in Property, Development & Investment Tax
01
Development Projects & Joint Venture Structures
Advising on the tax and structuring aspects of property development projects and joint ventures, including how entities, funding and profit‑sharing are arranged.
The focus is on aligning tax outcomes with commercial risk allocation and project economics, rather than letting tax distort otherwise sound deals.
02
Acquisitions, Disposals & Capital Transactions
Advising on the tax consequences of acquiring, disposing of or re‑organising interests in property, projects and related entities.
Work includes considering CGT, revenue/capital character, duty and land tax impacts, and structuring transactions in a way that supports the client’s longer‑term objectives.
03
GST & Margin Scheme on Property Transactions
Advising on GST treatment, margin scheme issues and related questions in property dealings.
This encompasses determining when GST applies, whether the margin scheme is available, and how documentation should reflect the intended treatment to reduce later disputes.
04
Tax Risk Allocation, Financing & Revenue Authority Engagement
Assisting with tax risk allocation provisions, financing arrangements and dealings with revenue authorities in the property and investment context.
Matters include negotiating tax‑related clauses, structuring funding flows and managing revenue authority engagement where large‑scale projects or investments are under scrutiny.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Property Developers
Property developers involved in residential, commercial, industrial or mixed‑use projects where development arrangements, entity choice and funding structures have material tax and commercial implications.
02
Property Groups & Investment Vehicles
Property groups, funds and investment vehicles holding or developing property assets, including those using trust and company structures across multiple projects and jurisdictions.
03
Private Investors & Family Groups
Private investors and family groups with substantial property holdings or projects, where acquisitions, disposals and restructures need to be assessed for tax, duty and land tax consequences.
04
Project Partners & Joint Venture Participants
Parties to development agreements or joint ventures who need clarity on how profits, risks and tax outcomes will be shared, and how that should be reflected in documentation.
05
Lenders & Financiers in Property Deals
Lenders and financiers involved in property transactions and projects who require comfort on how structures, funding flows and tax provisions interact with their risk position.
06
Accountants, Lawyers & Project Advisers
Accountants, commercial lawyers, project managers and other advisers whose clients are undertaking significant property or investment projects and who require specialist tax input on structures, risk allocation and revenue authority interactions.
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 | Extensive experience in property, development & investment tax
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 property groups, developers and investors on complex tax and structuring issues.
His work in this area includes development projects, capital transactions, project structuring, entity choice, GST and margin scheme questions, duty and land tax issues, tax risk allocation, financing arrangements and revenue authority engagement.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Process Works for Property & Investment Matters
01
Confidential Discussion & Project Overview
We begin with a confidential discussion about the project or investment, the parties involved, the commercial objectives and the structures currently in place or proposed.
02
Assessment of Structures & Tax Issues
Anthony reviews the proposed arrangements, identifies key tax issues (including CGT, GST, duty, land tax and funding flows) and outlines realistic options for structuring.
03
Structuring, Documentation & Coordination
We design and document a tax‑sensible structure, and work alongside your existing accountants, lawyers and project advisers to ensure that documentation, funding and implementation align with that structure.
04
Implementation & Revenue Authority Engagement
As the project or transaction proceeds, Anthony remains involved so that changes, revenue authority engagement or counterparties’ positions are managed consistently with the agreed approach.
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 Property, Development & Investment Tax
I
Senior Property Tax Judgment
Property, development and investment tax work is handled personally by Anthony, bringing senior tax and commercial judgment to projects where errors can be costly.
II
Integrated Tax, Commercial & Project View
Advice reflects tax rules, commercial objectives and project realities together, recognising that development and investment structures must work in practice, not just on paper.
III
Experience with Large‑Scale Property Matters
Anthony has particular experience acting for property groups, developers and investors on large‑scale projects and investments, including dealings with revenue authorities in that context.
IV
Collaborative with Project & Advisory Teams
Watson Tax Lawyers is accustomed to working as part of a broader project team, adding specialist tax structuring input while project managers, accountants, financiers and lawyers handle their respective roles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Property, Development & Investment Tax
What size of property matters do you typically advise on?
The focus is on matters where the tax and commercial consequences are meaningful — typically larger projects, substantial investments or groups of properties — rather than isolated, small transactions.
Do you advise on both planning and disputes with revenue authorities?
Yes. A significant part of the work is planning and structuring, but we also act where revenue authorities are engaged — for example, in relation to GST, margin scheme positions or duty and land tax on projects and transactions.
How do you work with our existing project and advisory team?
We usually work alongside your existing accountants, commercial lawyers, project managers and financiers. Our role is to provide specialist tax and structuring input while the rest of the team continues to handle their respective areas.
Can you assist if a project is already underway?
Yes. While earlier involvement is preferable, we are often engaged when projects are already underway and tax or structural issues have emerged. We can review current arrangements, identify risks and suggest options for addressing them within the constraints of what has already been done.
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.