- Address: 123 Anywhere Street
- hello@watsontax.com.au
SYDNEY · MELBOURNE · CANBERRA · AUSTRALIA
Senior Tax, Commercial and Private Wealth Legal Advice for Serious Matters
Specialist legal practice advising on significant tax issues, transaction structuring, private wealth, commercial risk & whistleblower matters.
WHO WE ARE
A Focused Specialist Practice for Significant Tax, Commercial and Private Wealth Matters.
Watson Tax Lawyers is a focused specialist legal practice advising on significant tax issues, transaction structuring, private wealth, commercial risk and whistleblower matters.
The firm provides senior legal judgment where the issue is technically difficult, commercially significant or personally consequential. Watson Tax Lawyers works directly with clients and also alongside lawyers, accountants and business advisers who need specialist support for substantial disputes, complex tax issues or commercial decisions of real consequence.
WHAT WE DO
Four Areas of Specialist Advice.
Every matter is handled by Anthony personally, with senior judgment from the outset.
01
Tax Advice, Transaction Structuring & ATO Matters
Significant tax advice for transactions, restructures, property and development projects, employee equity and business decisions, as well as ATO reviews, audits, objections and disputes.
The focus is on achieving the client’s commercial objective in a tax-effective, legally robust and practical way — including by structuring matters correctly at the outset, not merely responding once a dispute has arisen.
02
Family Offices, Private Groups & Intergenerational Wealth
Advice for family offices, private groups and high-net-worth families on succession, wills, control of family entities, tax structuring, intergenerational wealth transfer and disputes or potential disputes.
These matters often involve more than documents; they require judgment about control, expectations, governance and the avoidance or resolution of conflict.
03
Commercial Law & Business Risk
Strategic advice on commercial arrangements, contracts, governance, negotiated resolutions and major business decisions where legal, tax and commercial consequences overlap.
The focus is on identifying risk early, testing options and developing practical strategies that reflect both the documents and the real-world dynamics.
04
Whistleblower Law & Protected Disclosures
Advice for whistleblowers, people considering protected disclosures, and lawyers acting for whistleblower clients who require specialist support.
Watson Tax Lawyers assists with protected disclosure issues, whistleblower protections, retaliation risk, tax-related disclosures and the practical realities of reporting misconduct.
WHO WE ASSIST
The Clients & Advisers We Act for.
01
Business Owners & Private Clients
Owners and private clients whose personal and business affairs are closely intertwined — where a tax issue, transaction or dispute can have real consequences for both the business and the individual.
02
Family Offices, Private Groups & High-Net-Worth Families
Families dealing with succession, control of entities, tax structuring, governance and intergenerational tension within complex private groups.
03
Property Developers & Investors
Developers and investors involved in significant development projects, acquisitions, disposals or restructures where tax and commercial issues need to be considered together from the outset.
04
Executives, Directors & Professionals
Facing personal exposure or complex decisions — including governance questions, director and fiduciary duties, and the consequences of major commercial or tax positions.
05
Individuals Considering Or Making Protected Disclosures
Employees and executives who are considering a protected disclosure or have already made one and need advice on protections, retaliation risk and the practical realities of the process.
06
Lawyers, Accountants & Business Advisers
Advisers whose clients face substantial disputes, complex tax issues or “bet-the-farm” commercial decisions, and who require specialist support or co-counsel input from a senior tax and commercial practitioner.
Discuss Your Matter in Confidence.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
BY THE NUMBERS
40+
Years advising on tax, commercial and private wealth matters
28
Years as a partner at Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills
100+
Significant transactions, projects and disputes.
150+
Private groups, family offices and high-net-worth clients advised
Solicitor & Chartered Accountant | 35+ years’ experience in tax, private groups & commercial matters
founder of watson tax lawyers
Meet Anthony Watson
Anthony Watson is the principal of Watson Tax Lawyers. He is both a solicitor and a chartered accountant, with more than 35 years’ experience advising on significant tax, commercial and private wealth matters.
Watson Tax Lawyers exists for matters where technical tax knowledge, commercial judgment and discretion need to be brought together — whether the issue is a major transaction, a high-stakes ATO engagement or a sensitive family or governance dispute.
CLIENT CONFIDENCE
01 / 05
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS
A Clear Path, Led by Senior Judgment.
01
Confidential Discussion
We start with a focused conversation about your position, the entities involved and what is at stake — commercially, personally or reputationally.
02
Initial View & Scope
Anthony sets out an initial view of the issues, the range of viable options and the level of work required, so you can decide whether and how to proceed.
03
Strategy & Structuring
We design and document a clear path forward — structuring a transaction, preparing for an ATO process, or resolving a sensitive dispute within a private group.
04
Execution & Ongoing Judgment
Implementation is handled with care and discretion, with Anthony remaining involved as new facts emerge, counterparties respond or ATO positions develop.
Discuss Your Matter in Confidence.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
WHY WATSON TAX LAWYERS
A Practice Built around Senior Judgment.
I
Senior Judgment Only
Every matter is handled by Anthony personally. You work directly with the person whose name is on the door, not a leveraged team.
II
Tax & Commercial Lens Together
As both a lawyer and chartered accountant, Anthony combines technical tax analysis with the commercial realities facing owners, directors and family decision-makers.
III
Built for Private Groups & Referrers
The practice is designed around private groups, family offices and serious disputes. Accountants and lawyers regularly involve Anthony where a matter exceeds their internal capacity.
IV
Discreet & Event-Driven
Engagements focus on specific events — a restructure, an ATO review, a succession issue, a breakdown between principals, a potential disclosure — handled quietly with a clear strategy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to Common Questions.
Who does Watson Tax Lawyers act for?
Watson Tax Lawyers acts for business owners, private groups, family offices, high-net-worth individuals and senior executives, as well as for accountants and lawyers who need specialist support on complex tax and commercial matters.
Do you replace my existing accountant or lawyer?
No. In many matters Anthony is brought in alongside your existing advisers — particularly where a transaction, ATO engagement or dispute moves beyond their usual scope. The aim is to complement your existing team, not replace it.
What types of matters do you typically take on?
Engagements are usually event‑driven: a significant transaction or restructure, an ATO review or dispute, a complex succession or control issue within a private group, a high‑stakes commercial dispute, or a potential protected disclosure.
How are fees structured?
Fees are scoped in advance based on the nature and urgency of the matter. For some work this may involve fixed fees for defined stages; for others it may be time‑based. In all cases, the aim is to give you a clear view of the likely cost before you commit.
DISCUSS YOUR MATTER IN CONFIDENCE
Begin a Confidential Conversation.
If you are facing a serious tax, commercial, private wealth or whistleblower issue, contact Watson Tax Lawyers for a confidential discussion about your position and the options available.
- Watson Tax Lawyers will review your enquiry and respond as soon as practicable. The firm will confirm separately whether it is able to act and, if so, the applicable terms of engagement.