In Quality Publications Australia Pty Ltd v FCT, the Federal Court rejected a taxpayer’s claim that various documents created by its accountants were privileged.

The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has released a proposals paper canvassing options to address fraudulent phoenix activity. Senator Sherry said estimates provided to him indicate that ‘phoenix activity may be ripping up to $600 million...

The ATO has released Taxpayer Alert TA 2009/17which deals with life insurance bonds issued by tax haven entities. The ATO is concerned with life insurance bonds issued from tax haven entities (eg in Vanuatu) to Australian residents which are designed...

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services had tabled its report (the Ripoll report) into financial products and services and the collapses of Storm Financial and Opes Prime. The committee made 11 recommendations for...

In a recent speech, the Commissioner of Taxation, Mr Michael D’Ascenzo, spoke on the use of tax treaties. Mr D’Ascenzo said ‘in general, tax treaties are not intended to provide ways to avoid paying tax altogether’. ‘Some in the marketplace appear...