- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Lawyers for Transaction Structuring & Strategic Tax Advice
Senior tax input on business sales, restructures, funding arrangements & major commercial decisions.
ABOUT WATSON Tax LAWYERS
Who We Are
Watson Tax Lawyers advises on the tax consequences of proposed transactions, restructures, investments, business sales and other significant commercial decisions.
Tax issues often determine whether a transaction works commercially. The focus is on identifying tax risks early, considering alternative structures, and designing arrangements that are legally robust, tax‑effective and aligned with the client’s commercial objective.
What We Do in Transaction Structuring & Strategic Tax Advice
01
Business Sales, Acquisitions & Exits
Advising on the tax aspects of selling or acquiring businesses, interests in entities or substantial assets, including Capital Gains Tax (CGT), rollover relief and duty considerations.
The aim is to structure transactions so that the commercial deal can proceed with clarity on the after‑tax position for the parties involved.
02
Corporate Reorganisations & Group Restructures
Advising private groups and companies on internal reorganisations, consolidations and restructures of entities, assets and operations.
Work includes assessing CGT, income tax and duty impacts, and designing structures that better support the long‑term commercial and governance objectives of the group.
03
Funding, Profit Extraction & Capital Management
Advising on the tax consequences of funding arrangements, distributions, dividends, loans and other ways of moving money within or out of a group.
The focus is on achieving tax‑sensible outcomes while respecting the legal form of arrangements and managing exposures that can arise from poorly structured flows.
04
Ownership Changes, Succession & Private Groups
Assisting with changes in ownership, succession within private groups, and bringing in or exiting principals, family members or investors.
The objective is to handle these changes in a way that is commercially acceptable, tax‑sensible and consistent with the family or group’s longer‑term plans.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Business Owners & Shareholders
Business owners and shareholders considering selling, acquiring or restructuring businesses or substantial assets, where tax and commercial consequences need to be considered together.
02
Private Groups & Family Businesses
Private groups and family businesses planning internal restructures, consolidations or succession arrangements involving companies, trusts and related entities.
03
Mid‑Market Companies & Their Boards
Mid‑market companies and their boards dealing with strategic transactions, funding decisions or group restructures that have significant tax and governance implications.
04
Founders & Entrepreneurs
Founders and entrepreneurs preparing for partial or full exits, bringing in investors, or changing how their interests are held as their businesses evolve.
05
Investors & Deal Teams
Investors and deal teams seeking senior tax input on the structure of transactions and holding arrangements to support commercial outcomes.
06
Accountants, Lawyers & Other Advisers
Accountants, commercial lawyers and other advisers whose clients are undertaking significant transactions or restructures, and who require specialist tax structuring support.
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 transaction tax & structuring
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 significant transactions, restructures and commercial decisions for private groups, businesses and their advisers.
His work includes structuring business sales and acquisitions, internal reorganisations, funding and profit extraction strategies, and succession arrangements within private groups where tax, commercial and family considerations all need to be balanced.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
How the Process Works for Transaction Structuring
01
Confidential Discussion & Deal Outline
We begin with a confidential discussion of the proposed transaction or restructure, the parties involved and the commercial objectives, so that the landscape is clearly understood.
02
Assessment of Tax Position & Options
Anthony reviews the current and proposed structures, identifies key tax issues and outlines realistic options for how the transaction could be structured.
03
Structuring, Documentation & Coordination
We design and document a tax‑sensible structure, and work alongside your existing accountants, lawyers and other advisers to ensure that documentation and implementation reflect what has been agreed.
04
Completion & Follow‑Through
As the transaction proceeds, Anthony remains involved so that any changes, new information or counterparties’ positions are managed consistently with the agreed structure and tax 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 Transaction Structuring
I
Senior Tax Structuring Judgment
Transaction structuring work is handled personally by Anthony, bringing senior tax and commercial judgment to decisions that have lasting consequences.
II
Commercial & Tax Aligned
Advice is designed so that tax, legal form and commercial reality are aligned, rather than pulling in different directions and creating problems later.
III
Experience Across Private Group Deals
Anthony has extensive experience structuring transactions and restructures for private groups, family businesses and mid‑market companies, including in property‑heavy groups.
IV
Collaborative with Deal Teams
Watson Tax Lawyers is used to working as part of a wider deal team, adding specialist tax structuring input while accounting firms, corporate advisers and commercial lawyers handle their respective roles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transaction Structuring & Strategic Tax Advice
When should we involve you on a transaction?
Ideally before key terms are locked in or documents are signed. Early involvement allows structure and documentation to be aligned from the start, rather than trying to retrofit tax outcomes into arrangements that are already fixed.
Do you only act on very large or complex deals?
No. The focus is on matters where the tax and commercial consequences are meaningful and warrant senior input — regardless of size. That often includes mid‑market transactions, internal reorganisations and private group restructures.
Do you replace our existing accountants or deal lawyers?
No. In most cases we work alongside your existing accountants, corporate advisers and lawyers. Our role is to provide specialist tax structuring judgment while they continue to handle their parts of the transaction.
Can you assist if the transaction is already underway?
Yes. While earlier is better, we are often engaged when a transaction has already started and tax issues or concerns have emerged. We can review what has been done, advise on risks and options, and help adjust course where that is still possible.
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.