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Sladen Legal’s Tax Practice Recognised in Doyles Guide Victoria 2026
Sladen Legal has been recognised as a Second Tier Leading Victorian Tax Law Firm in the 2026 Doyles Guide listing.
Doyles Guide is a respected and independent legal directory that recognises leading firms and practitioners across Australia. The 2026 listing of leading Victorian Tax Law Firms details firms practising in taxation advisory and disputes matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by clients and peers for their expertise in the area.
Congratulations to our Tax team members Neil Brydges, Daniel Smedley and Phil Broderick who have been individually recognised as Leading Tax Advisory Lawyers and Leading Tax Controversy Lawyers - Victoria 2026.
David and Goliath: capital and revenue lessons from Morton
The Commissioner has not applied for special leave to appeal to the High Court the Full Federal Court decision of Commissioner of Taxation v Morton [2026] FCAFC 31.
FCT v Liang: Full Federal Court reaffirms taxpayer burden of proof
The Full Federal Court case of Commissioner of Taxation v Liang [2025] FCAFC 4 serves as a reminder that when challenging an ATO decision at a court or tribunal, it is the taxpayer who carries the burden of proving that an assessment is excessive and what the assessment should have been.
Payroll tax crackdown on medical and allied health practices continues – revenue authorities release rulings
Employers and business entities must pay payroll tax in relation to wages paid to its employees. In addition, such entities must pay payroll tax in relation to contractors engaged under “relevant contracts”.
BBlood v FCT: section 100A, more guidance on tax avoidance purpose
The Full Federal Court in the BBlood appeal found for the ATO on section 100A and the taxpayer dividend stripping (albeit on a technical, non-substantive basis).
The 100A analysis was limited to ‘tax avoidance purpose’ with the Full Court holding that, in certain circumstances, the purpose of advisors can be relevant.
NSW foreign surcharges – international tax treaties update – more countries excluded from the regime
In our previous article, we discuss Revenue NSW’s announcement that it has determined that NSW surcharge purchaser duty and surcharge land tax are inconsistent with international tax treaties entered into by the Australian Federal Government and certain countries (Treaty Countries).
On 29 May 2023, Revenue NSW has updated its list of Treaty Countries to now include India, Japan, Norway and Switzerland.
NSW Government determines that surcharge purchaser duty and surcharge land tax is inconsistent with international tax treaties
On 21 February 2023 Revenue NSW announced that it has been determined that NSW surcharge purchaser duty and surcharge land tax (Surcharge Provisions) are inconsistent with international tax treaties entered into by the Australian Federal Government with New Zealand, Finland, Germany, and South Africa (Treaty Countries).
Horse breeding found to qualify for the primary production land tax exemption
The NSW Supreme Court’s (NSWSC) decision in Godolphin Australia Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2022] NSWSC 430 (Godolphin Case) is instructive as it provides guidance into the ambit and scope of the land tax primary production exemption particularly in relation to the breeding of horses.
Section 100A: welcome Media Release by the Assistant Treasurer
We wrote that 2022 is the ‘Year of 100A’ after the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released three guidance products, two in draft, on section 100A and the ATO’s appeal to the Full Federal Court from the decision of Logan J in Guardian AIT Pty Ltd ATF Australian Investment Trust v FCT [2021] FCA 1619 on section 100A.
FCT v Carter: trust disclaimers not effective for tax
In one sense, the High Court judgment in FCT v Carter [2022] HCA 10 (Carter) will come as welcome relief for tax advisors. That is, after dealing with the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) view of the ‘lore’ in the form of practical compliance guidelines, Carter turns minds back to the ‘law.’ Unfortunately, the law in Carter can result in unpleasant tax outcomes for certain trust beneficiaries.
2022: year of 100A
Quoting Winston Churchill, we said that the Federal Court decision in Guardian AIT Pty Ltd ATF Australian Investment Trust v FCT [2021] FCA 1619 (Guardian AIT) concerning section 100A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 is perhaps the “end of the beginning” of what may become increased clarity on the judicial and administrative approach to that section.
Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2022/D1: are you on the highway to hell?
After our semi-serious opening statement on the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) recently released guidance on section 100A and unpaid present entitlements, this is one of a series of deep-dive articles on that guidance.
Draft Taxation Determination TD 2022/D1: much ado about nothing or a seismic shift?
After our semi-serious opening statement on the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) recently released guidance on section 100A and unpaid present entitlements, this is one of a series of deep-dive articles on that guidance. These articles look at each of the ATO guidance products separately and then we discuss what the overall impact may be.
Draft ATO guidance on 100A and UPEs: is everything awesome?
After six years the ATO has released draft guidance on section 100A. Keeping with the draft theme, the ATO also released (updated) draft views on when an unpaid present entitlement held on sub-trust becomes financial accommodation for purposes of Division 7A.
VCAT finds the sub-sale double duty provisions are triggered due to land development
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s (VCAT) decision in Hartman v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and Regulation) [2022] VCAT 28 (Hartman Case) is a rare decision on the application of the sub-sale “double duty” provisions in the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) (Act).
Guardian AIT: section 100A – the end of the beginning?
Winston Churchill famously said “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
PCG 2021/4: the beginning of a ‘new world order’ for professional firm profits?
16 December 2021 may, or may not, become the day from which the allocation of professional firm profits fundamentally changed.
A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 4 Aggregation, Grouping and “Degrouping”
As discussed in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, land tax is levied on the total taxable value of land held by a taxpayer in a particular jurisdiction. Land tax is then levied on a progressive graduated scale. That is, the higher the value of land that you own the higher the rate of land tax you pay.
A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 5 Valuations
As discussed in this Land Tax Series, land tax is a state and territory tax levied on the total taxable value of land held by taxpayers in particular jurisdictions. Land tax is assessed on a calendar year basis on the land you own at midnight on 31 December.
A guide to understanding Land Tax Part 6: Principal place of residence exemption
In this Part 6 in our series of articles on land tax we examine the principal place of residence (PPR) exemption and the requirements to satisfy the exemption under the Land Tax Act 2005 (Vic) (LTA).