Taxation & Commercial Disputes in Sydney

Disputes with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or other government agencies can be complex, time-consuming, and financially draining. At New South Lawyers, our Tax Lawyers move decisively. We don’t wait for disputes to escalate — we take control, protect your commercial position, and neutralise risk before it threatens your business.

Experienced Tax Dispute Lawyers

Our senior tax lawyers have decades of experience representing directors, businesses, and high-net-worth individuals in high-stakes Taxation & Commercial Disputes. From navigating aggressive audits to countering director penalty notices, we act with precision. One recent case saw us successfully overturn a $2M GST assessment against a mid-sized retailer, restoring cashflow and mitigating further ATO scrutiny.

Understanding Tax and Commercial Disputes

Disputes arise from audits, compliance reviews, mismanaged obligations, or allegations of director liability. We dissect every claim with surgical precision, identify weaknesses, and formulate strategies that preserve assets, restore compliance, and reassert control. Commercial insight underpins every legal recommendation — we think like business operators, not just lawyers.

Common Tax Disputes We Handle

We regularly act in matters involving:• Income tax and capital gains tax assessments• GST, PAYG and payroll tax disputes• Director penalty notices (DPNs)• ATO audits and investigations• Superannuation guarantee compliance• Debt recovery and insolvency-related tax claims• Objections and appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)We don’t just advise — we negotiate, strategise, and secure outcomes that reduce financial exposure and preserve operational momentum.

A Proactive Approach to Resolution

Our philosophy is simple: resolve disputes quickly, strategically, and decisively. We engage directly with the ATO and other agencies, leveraging legal authority and commercial insight to achieve practical outcomes without unnecessary litigation.

Director and Company Liability

Directors face personal exposure for unpaid taxes or superannuation. We protect assets, challenge penalty notices, and implement strategies to insulate personal wealth while resolving the underlying dispute. One client facing a multi-million-dollar DPN avoided personal liability entirely due to early intervention and structured negotiation.

Commercial Litigation and Financial Disputes

Beyond tax, we tackle complex commercial disputes — from debt recovery to breaches of fiduciary duty. Our lawyers combine financial acumen with courtroom authority to protect business interests in NCAT, the Supreme Court, or Federal Court.

Negotiation and Settlement with the ATO

We handle all engagement with the ATO: drafting submissions, negotiating settlements, and securing payment arrangements that limit exposure. Every letter, submission, or proposal is calibrated for maximum effect, ensuring penalties are minimised and compliance restored swiftly.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and Federal Court

When disputes escalate, our team acts with precision in the AAT and Federal Court of Australia. Evidence is meticulously prepared, financial experts engaged when necessary, and advocacy delivered with authority. We control the process, the narrative, and the outcome.

Minimising Risk and Future Disputes

We don’t just resolve Taxation & Commercial Disputes — we prevent them. Our proactive advice on compliance, corporate governance, and record-keeping reduces the likelihood of repeated ATO action or financial conflict.

Why Choose New South Lawyers

Clients choose us because they want control, not correspondence. Our tax law expertise is matched by real-world commercial insight. Every strategy is designed to secure outcomes, protect assets, and restore authority. In disputes with the ATO or complex commercial conflicts, we don’t just respond — we dominate.