Videos - Waterhouse Lawyers

Videos

How we can help

Our range of videos demonstrate how we can help you with your tax affairs

Introduction

Waterhouse Lawyers are expert tax lawyers.

Tania Waterhouse, the firm’s principal, is a former ATO director, with specialist knowledge of all tax matters.

The Waterhouse team are all passionate about tax law and wanting to help their clients.

Our range of videos show how we can help you with your tax affairs.

Managing ATO audits and disputes

What do you do when the ATO comes knocking on your client’s door? High wealth individuals and SMEs – often your best clients – are the most likely targets. Learn the best way to handle an audit based on the inside knowledge of a 40-year ATO veteran and former Deputy Commissioner.

  • Find out how to ensure your clients receive a fair go during an audit
  • Understand the mindset of ATO officials and what they are looking for
  • Discover how to present the best possible face to increase the chance of a successful, quick outcome

Taxation Debt

Being served with a ATO notice is worrying at the best of times – even more so if you have a tax debt and you cannot pay immediately.

We understand the trauma of receiving a debt notice from the ATO. We can help you to enter into a payment plan, or seek a remission of interest. We can also help explore alternative options.

All of our clients appreciate our sensitive and caring approach to their tax crisis. They have all stated how relieved they are to have sought our assistance.

This video shows you how we can help in this situation.

Tax Residency

Australians working overseas need to know whether they are a resident or non-resident of Australia. This will determine their tax liability in Australia.

Just because you are working living and working full time doesn’t mean you are automatically a non-resident. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into account.

We have particular expertise with crew on superyachts, pilots, IT workers and can help determine your tax residency status.

See our video for more information.

High Wealth Individuals

High Wealth Individuals in Australia need to structure their affairs in the most tax advantageous manner.

Likewise an offshore investor in Australia needs to understand their taxation obligations if they invest in Australia.

Here we discuss how we can help your entity to structure your taxation affairs or give advice on investing in Australia.

Audit/Objection

If you disagree with a tax assessment you are entitled to make an objection to that decision. We can prepare an objection which puts your case in the most favourable light possible. We have a very high success rate in the outcome of objection decisions.

Being audited is a particularly stressful experience. Taxpayers unintentionally give the wrong message because, for instance, they may not understand the auditor’s queries, perhaps due to language difficulties. We can help reduce that stress by liaising directly with the ATO and ensuring that the taxpayer’s affairs are being accurately represented to the ATO.

To learn more, see our video.

Audits Uncovered

ATO activity and tax audit predictions 2024

 

 

 

Audits Uncovered -Fairness Under Review - The ATO’s Interest Charges in Focus

Learn how escalating GIC and ATO remission practices are driving audit-to-debt risks for clients and accountants.

 

 

Need tax advice?

How we can help

We can liaise with the ATO if you are being audited; obtain a payment plan for a tax debt; and represent you in a tax court case.

Testimonials

SATISFIED CLIENTS

When I was audited by the ATOI was given the wrong advice by my legal and accounting advisers.  I was therefore left with a very unfavourable outcome and I had to object

I engaged the team at Waterhouse Lawyers for my audit objection and they were able to successfully reverse some very poor ATO decisions. I wish I had contacted Tania and team as soon as I received the original audit notice rather than trying to deal with the matter myself.

Unfortunately due to the original advice I had, the matter then progressed to something of a very serious nature. I contacted Tania and she very quickly returned my call and was able to give me advice at a time that was terrifying for me personally.

 

Tax Audit – Objection – grateful thanks

Saving my life and company

Hello Tania,

I hope this note finds you well.

You may or may not recall our case.

I will keep this short, as I can imagine you are very busy, but wanted to update you of the outcome. After you went into bat for me against the ATO in 2018, due to them issuing a garnishee over the company leaving me nowhere to go.
With your persistence we reached an agreement…saving my life and my company!

In our last conversation you asked me to let you know how we ended up and told me “show them that we would make it”!

Today I am emailing you with an enormous smile on my face…our ATO Super Guarantee Account debt was finalised in August, 2020 and today we received the attached statement from the ATO…as of 8th December, 2020 this is also finalised.
It has not been an easy journey, especially with the additional challenges of COVID…but we survived!

Thankyou Tania from the bottom of my heart, as without you I would not be sitting here typing this email.
May I wish you, your family and colleagues a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.

Warm Regards,

Trisha F

Trisha F – December 2020

Integrity shines

I would like to thank you once again for being so honest and fair with me and I very much appreciate your gesture to reduce your fees.

I would certainly recommend you to anyone looking for a good lawyer and one with integrity.

John

John T—February 2015

In-depth knowledge of tax residency and other tax issues

Dear Tania,

Just want to say a big thank you, coming from a financial background myself, I was so impressed by your in-depth knowledge on tax residency and other tax issues, these are areas I often find that lots of accountants don’t even have an answer for, you are so knowledgeable, helpful, and really put my mind at ease.

Lourdes W—July 2018

So very Grateful.  Five Star Service in tax matter

After 13 years of not being aware of it, the ATO advised me of an issue… a financially crippling, life changing kind of issue.  Their timing was exceptional, with massive cutbacks at work, my employment future was uncertain, and a wife currently going through IVF the additional stress was almost unbearable.

I spent almost 6 months attempting to obtain the information I needed from the ATO with very little success.

In desperation I contacted Tania, and within a day of engaging her services she had cut to the core of the problem, obtained the information I had not been able to and explained clearly to me what the situation was.  Within a week she had investigated the options available to me, identified a recommended course of action and put me contact with the relevant people to assist.

Tania was extremely professional and empathetic, kept me updated constantly on her progress and achieved a favourable outcome.  My wife and I are so very grateful and it is an enormous relief to be able to put this behind us.

I would highly recommend Tania to anyone having tax issues of any kind.

Arran

Arran B—July 2015

Credentials

Recognition

Law Council of Australia logo - Tax Lawyer Sydney Melbourne
law society of new south wales logo - Tax Lawyer Sydney Melbourne
the tax institute logo - Tax Lawyer Sydney Melbourne
Transfer Pricing Association Global logo - Tax Lawyer Sydney Melbourne