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Rhys Guild is the national head of Minter Ellison's tax division and also the firm’s national GST leader. He is recognised as one of Australia’s foremost GST/ VAT practitioners. Rhys advises leading corporations and public entities on GST, PAYG and customs duty, focused on the financial services, property and construction, energy, telecommunications and government sectors. In addition to advisory work, Rhys assists clients with ATO audits, disputes and applications for binding rulings. He also represents clients before the Federal Court, the Full Federal Court and the High Court of Australia. Some long-standing clients include American Express, Brookfield, Charter Hall, Transfield Holdings and Westpac, as well as various Commonwealth and NSW State government entities. Consistently recognised by his peers as one of Australia's Best Lawyers in tax in 2010, 2011 and 2012; Rhys is a regular commentator and speaker on diverse GST-related issues and developments.
Areas of expertise include:
A specialist GST practitioner, Rhys advises widely on GST issues for the financial services sector including advising major banks including retail and investment banks. He regularly advises managed funds, as well as advising on securitisations, debt issues, rights issues, restructuring and refinancing. Rhys has also advised both domestic and overseas insurers on GST matters and works with a number of large fund managers.
Recognised as a leading GST practitioner, Rhys heads Minter Ellison's national tax group. He advises leading Australian corporates and public sector organisations on the full spectrum of GST issues across diverse industries including financial services, property and construction, energy, telecommunications and government. Rhys has a formidable grasp of GST legislation and its impact on businesses and government entities. His comprehensive expertise spans both advice and structuring work, through to managing compliance as well as ATO audits, objections and appeals.
Rhys advises several high-profile public and private not-for-profit clients on their GST treatment and obligations and is intimately familiar with the numerous GST concessions available to the not for profit organisations.
Rhys has extensive experience advising companies in the energy, resource and infrastructure sectors on their GST obligations and the impact of the proposed Carbon Pricing Mechanism. He has acted for both domestic and international companies in assisting with their GST affairs.
Rhys has been involved in some of Australia's largest GST tax controversy cases. Most recently he represented American Express in its appeal to the full bench of the High Court of Australia in relation to its GST apportionment methodology. In addition he has been involved in numerous objections and appeals covering the financial services, property, aged care, funds management and manufacturing sectors.
As a leading GST practitioner, Rhys has significant experience conducting the GST component in tax due diligences for corporate acquisitions, investments and dispositions. He undertakes tax due diligences for purchasers and investors, and manages tax due diligences for vendors and targets.
Rhys has advised numerous responsible entities, trustees and custodians across the managed funds industry in relation to the broad range of GST issues they regularly confront. He has worked with clients to ensure that they achieve GST efficient structures and outcomes in relation to their on-going activities.