Tax Essentials for Commercial Lawyers
As a commercial lawyer you need to have a working understanding of the tax issues that can affect your clients. In this programme you will explore the tax updates that you need to know right now, focusing on the tax issues that can arise in the documentation of commercial transactions, and a high-level view of GST changes. You will also receive a crash course on how to effectively manage tax risk when it arises. Gain the essential tax skills important for all commercial lawyers. WEB233NZA44
Description
Attend and earn 3 CPD hours
Chair: Dave Ananth, Special Counsel, Stace Hammond
9.15am to 10.15am Key Tax Updates Affecting Everyday Practice
This session will discuss key tax updates affecting everyday practice, with a focus on the documentation of commercial transactions, including:
- Buying or selling a business: key tax clauses to be aware of in your sale and purchase agreement
- Tax issues in procurement and supply agreements.
- Recent and proposed tax changes affecting commercial transactions
Presented by Chris Harker, Partner, Mayne Wetherell
10.20am to 11.20am Tax Issues for Lawyers - GST and Brightline Tax
- GST issues such as: zero-rating, GST issues for property transactions, change in use of assets, GST issues related to commercial sale transactions, and recent GST amendments
- Brightline Tax – common issues re the application of the bright-line rules including how the main home exemption applies, the new roll over relief provisions related to trusts and co-ownership, and issues to be aware of with co-ownership familial transactions
Presented by Graham Lawrence, Director and Harriet Zhang, Tax Manager, The Advisory Group
11.25am to 12.25pm Effectively Managing Tax Risk
Presented by Simon Akozu, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
12.25pm to 12.30pm Closing Comments from the Chair
Learning Objectives:
- Examine the common tax issues that can arise in everyday commercial practice
- Analyse the implications of recent changes to GST
- Gain insights into how you should manage your tax risk
Presenters
Dave Ananth
Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaysia, Dave has over 30 years’ experience in legal practice in New Zealand and overseas jurisdictions. His primary practice area is in tax. Before joining Stace Hammond, Dave was a Director of Ernst & Young, Malaysia. Before that, he worked as a prosecutor for the Inland Revenue Department. Due to his extensive experience and level of expertise, he is able to directly negotiate with the IRD, accountants and other professional colleagues in the tax and commercial arena. He also has the added benefit of having extensive networks in Asia and other overseas jurisdictions. Dave is passionate about ensuring that tax law and its financial implications are accessible and understood by a wide audience. To help achieve this, Dave presents seminars addressing GST and other tax related matters to local and international audiences. He has also published opinion pieces that address the impact of GST on the telecommunication industry, petroleum industry and other utility industries.
Chris Harker
Chris advises on tax law. He has advised on a number of significant transactions including mergers and acquisitions, restructures, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and financing arrangements. He has also acted for clients seeking binding rulings from Inland Revenue in respect of prospective transactions, and represented clients in respect of Inland Revenue investigations and disputes.
Simon Akozu
Simon is a Tax Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts. His clients include leading New Zealand corporates, financial institutions, and high net worth individuals. His areas of focus include M&A, infrastructure projects, financing arrangements and crypto assets.