Ryan Steele

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Taxation; Controversy (including ATO Reviews/audits); Litigation and Dispute Resolution

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Queensland University of Technology
• Bachelor of Business (Finance) – Queensland University of Technology
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice – College of Law
• Admitted to practice in

SELECTED REPRESENTATIONS

• JMC Academy v Commissioner of Taxation – dispute with the Commissioner centered around the definitions of ‘contractor’ and ‘employee’ both at common law and the extended definition under the SGAA.
• Fewstone Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation – Dispute with ATO centred around taxation on a pre-CGT assed. The ATO amended assessments on the basis that the transactions were a ‘tax avoidance scheme’. This was the first Judicial consideration of section 45B.
• Ryan’s involvement in the matter was as a Graduate under the supervision of Damien Bourke who led proceedings for the taxpayer.
• Cavanagh and Commissioner of Taxation – first case on the entitlement of a taxpayer to access small business litigation funding. Ryan worked as a Graduate on this matter under the supervision of Damien Bourke and Joanne Casburn who represented the taxpayer.
• Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Markwell – Successful debt proceedings where the ATO was forced to concede. Ryan worked as a Graduate on this matter under the supervision of Damien Bourke and Joanne Casburn who represented the taxpayer.