A stack of law books next to a status of Lady Justice

Regulators’ investigatory powers and the Harman obligation not to disclose

A recent High Court decision clarifies the Commissioner of Taxation’s power to require the production of documents, and the later use of those items. By…

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Calculator, Australian bank notes and a bank statement on a desk, next to a laptop

Taxation: the tricky business of amending trust deeds

Amending a trust deed is a tricky business. Tax must always be taken into account, and NSW duty must also be considered. By JIM MAIN.

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man uses calculator to add up receipts

Strangely foreign: recent NSW duty and land tax surcharges

Determining whether a landowner is a ‘foreign person’ can be complicated, State duty and surcharge outcomes can be surprising. By KEN LORD.

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Financial statement showing debits and credits

Death by crocodile: not necessarily tax-free

Death is not necessarily tax-free. Always consult with clients’ accountants and financial planners when making their will. By JIM MAIN.

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A wooden maze with the word 'Tax' at the centre

Accountants and lawyers: friends or adversaries?

Every transaction involving a company has potential tax issues. Landholder duty remains an issue under the Duties Act 1997 (NSW). By JIM MAIN.

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Man takes wedding ring off finger while reading divorce papers

Marriage breakdown: why it pays to be on the ball about taxation

CGT exempt is different from income tax exempt and all not asset transfers are exempt on a marriage breakdown. By JIM MAIN.

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Stack of probate and will documents on a desk with a set of keys and coins

Costly mistakes in using deceased estates exemptions from duty

Care needs to be taken when beneficiaries to an estate propose to enter into a deed of family arrangement to prevent duty being triggered unintentionally….

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ATO letterhead

Options and hidden tax stings

What applies to GST does not necessarily apply to CGT. By JIM MAIN.

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Man uses calculator at a desk

Succession planning and hidden tax stings

Every succession plan has tax implications. Ensure your client gets good tax advice elsewhere if you can’t give it. By JIM MAIN.

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Stacks of Australian $100 notes on a scale

Tax stings and GST tales of woe

There are multiple different GST scenarios requiring separate analysis. According to Jim Main, taxpayers must be careful when using the margin scheme and the going concern exemption….

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