James Gao

James is a Lawyer in the Business Law team at Sladen Legal, where he specialises in federal tax matters.  

James frequently advises on capital gains tax (CGT) and other income taxation matters for individuals, deceased estates and small businesses. His work includes advising on small business concessions, deductions, Division 7A, restructuring and GST. 

On the tax disputes front, James has experience assisting clients at all stages of a tax dispute including reviews, audits and objections with the ATO, and assisting counsel in preparation of hearings at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), Federal Court, and the Federal Court Full Court. 

Beyond taxation, James also assists clients with Foreign Investment or FIRB matters with Treasury and the ATO, with charity matters with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC), and with trust deed and company constitution reviews, advice and amendments. 

James holds a Juris Doctorate at the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics and History at New York University. James is currently completing a Master of Taxation at the University of Melbourne. 

James is also fluent in Mandarin Chinese and his work has been published in the Tax Institute’s Taxation in Australia journal and Thomson Reuter’s Weekly Tax Bulletin.  

 James’ principal areas of practice include:  

• Income tax  

• Tax deductions  

• Capital gains tax (CGT)  

• Small business concessions  

• Taxation of deceased estates 

• Goods and services tax (GST)  

• Trust deed reviews, advice and amendments  

• Foreign Investment (or FIRB) matters.  

Download a PDF version of James Gao’s Professional Profile