Peter advises clients on a range of matters relating to estate planning, taxation, superannuation, trusts and asset protection. He takes the time to understand his client’s circumstances and objectives and provides clear and pragmatic advice.
Peter helps his clients and their professional advisers to resolve taxation issues with the Australian Taxation Office and Revenue NSW. He is experienced in bringing taxation audits and investigations to a commercial resolution and has prepared successful objections to many unfavourable taxation assessments and decisions.
Peter presents on topics associated with his areas of practice for a number of tax discussion groups. He is committed to continuous learning and development because the law (particularly in the areas of taxation and superannuation) is constantly changing.
Qualifications/Memberships
Master of Laws (University of Sydney) – specialising in Taxation Law
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business (Finance) (University of Technology Sydney)
Associate of the Tax Institute of Australia
Member of the SMSF Association
A word from Peter
"I often act for clients who are confronted with complicated legal issues. These issues range from tax disputes with significant amounts at stake, to trying to prepare an estate plan in circumstances where children from a previous relationship need to be provided for or where the estate is likely to be challenged. I take great satisfaction out of using my skills to guide my clients through stressful situations and help them to achieve the best possible outcomes."
Career highlights
Successfully objected to amended income tax assessments which denied considerable deductions for interest expenses on borrowed funds used to purchase units in a trust.
Successfully objected to an assessment of ad valorem duty on a declaration of trust over a commercial property in a contract for sale resulting in a significant refund of duty;
Successfully objected to and overturned amended assessments issued to a property developer which imposed GST on the sale of a block of residential apartments;
Prepared a successful application to degroup a property development company from a bricklaying company for payroll tax and negotiated a significant reduction in payroll tax liability for the bricklaying company after making submissions about exempt contracts and deductions.
Acted for a trustee of an SMSF under audit for serious contraventions of superannuation law, rectified the contraventions resulting in the fund maintaining complying status and later overturned a disqualification order imposed on the director of the trustee.
Specific areas of focus
Estate Planning: Advising clients in relation to their personal estate planning and drafting appropriate documents including testamentary trust wills and superannuation binding death benefit nominations.
Tax Disputes: Preparing objections and applications for review of decisions and assessments of the ATO and Revenue NSW and acting for clients under audit or investigation or in the context of a voluntary disclosure, alternative dispute resolution or payment arrangement negotiation.
Superannuation: Advising trustees on compliance (including ATO audits), rectification of breaches of superannuation law, investments and limited recourse borrowing arrangements.
Trusts: Drafting trust deeds, deeds of amendment and advising on issues relating to the establishment and administration of trusts.
Tax Advice: Advising on a range of state and federal taxes including CGT, GST, income tax, duties, payroll tax and land tax and preparing applications for private rulings from the ATO and Revenue NSW.