Business & Commercial
Tax legal advice can concern a transaction, an assessment, a review, an audit or a dispute over obligations. The tax type, entity, period and decision are the starting points. Federal taxes and state duties or other state taxes can involve different authorities.
General information only — not legal advice. This Australian overview is not a statement of every state or territory’s law. Check the jurisdiction and current requirements with an appropriately qualified adviser.
Preparing a return, providing financial advice and challenging a decision are different services. Ask how the lawyer will work with an accountant or tax agent and which notices need prompt attention. Do not assume that an enquiry or objection changes payment or other obligations.
Organise the following material you already lawfully hold. This is a preparation list, not a complete evidentiary requirement. Ask the verified adviser what they need and how to send it securely.
Keep originals and dates intact. Use a short initial enquiry for a conflict and suitability check before sending sensitive documents.
Provide the exact notice, assessment or proposed transaction and identify the taxpayer and period involved. Ask what legal issue requires advice and how it will be coordinated with your accountant or tax agent. Separate advice on a position from lodging a response, negotiating or conducting review proceedings.
An accounting explanation and a legal review of a dispute can serve different purposes. Do not assume an adviser has accepted responsibility for a response date because they are already preparing routine returns.
Which decision or transaction is being assessed, and how will legal and accounting advice be coordinated?
Ask the adviser to explain the assumptions behind the answer, any missing information and what would change the proposed next step. You can request an initial assessment without assuming that full representation is included.
Ask how information can be shared with appropriate consent and who will do each task. Bring the relevant advice and records. Make confidentiality and communication arrangements explicit instead of assuming all advisers operate as one team.
Compare the defined work and exclusions, not just the initial price. Ask about GST, third-party expenses, later stages and what happens if the scope changes. Our legal fees guide explains useful questions, and the comparison worksheet helps record proposals.
For a related legal task, read administrative & government law. Use both sets of preparation questions if your enquiry spans the two tasks.
Define the work before comparing the fee
Identify the business entity, the commercial objective and the stage of the transaction or disagreement. An owner’s personal position, a company’s interests and another participant’s interests may require separate advice.
Mention connected issues when you enquire. One engagement may not cover every part of your situation.
Use these primary resources for background and current pathways. A state-specific resource is an example for that jurisdiction, not a rule for all Australia. Broad regulator and tribunal links do not establish your eligibility or a legal entitlement.
Federal tax administration; state taxes have separate revenue authorities.
Specified Commonwealth decisions; not all decisions are reviewable by the ART.
Our document lists, questions and examples are original editorial preparation prompts. Follow the relevant authority for current requirements and seek individual advice before acting.
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