Tax

The executor of a $100 million estate is amending its case against PricewaterhouseCoopers that alleges the firm gave negligent advice and acted with a conflict of interest while advising on tax liabilities.

Twelve cases brought by Labor politician Eddie Obeid and his family against the tax office are back on track after they were stayed in 2017 pending the outcome of a criminal prosecution against Obeid and his son Moses.

Liquidators appointed by the court to five companies behind $130 million worth of construction projects in Brisbane have won more time to bring potential claims while they investigate several matters, including an allegedly “very odd” tax situation.

A former director of defunct developer Maxcon Developments and his family members have lost a bid to set aside examination orders, with a judge rejecting their argument that the ATO was using the examinations as a “dry run” for other claims.

The Star has settled a long-running dispute with the ATO over GST on payments made to junket operators, with the ATO agreeing to refund $33 million of the $88 million in dispute. 

Victoria’s State Revenue Office has gone to the High Court in its battle with shopping centre landlord Vicinity Funds over $82.5 million in stamp duty.

Tax advisors will face tougher penalties for misconduct under new federal legislation introduced in response to the PwC tax leaks scandal and recommendations from a Tax Practitioners Board review. 

Hamilton Locke has lured three partners and their teams from K&L Gates, bolstering its tax offering in response to client demand.

Tax reforms aimed at capital gains and negative gearing sailed through Parliament on Thursday night, with the Treasurer calling the changes a win for "workers, first home buyers and future generations".

A former director of Melbourne-based Aviation 3030 has failed to overturn a finding that the liquidators of the landbanking company could recover half of a $3.4 million landholder duty liability from him.