Team Members

Joanne Casburn

Special Counsel

Joanne specialises in tax dispute resolution and litigation, including recent disputes involving trust issues, employee versus contractor and anti avoidance provisions.

Joanne Casburn specialises in tax dispute resolution and litigation, including recent disputes involving trust issues, employee versus contractor and anti‑avoidance provisions.

Joanne is a former Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Assistant Commissioner and was responsible for the management of the largest audits and disputes for the ATO in the Private Wealth area.

Joanne was also the ATO’s lead for tax issues associated with the property and construction industry and was involved in managing strategic litigation.

Qualifications, memberships and recognition

Solicitor – Supreme Court of Queensland
Bachelor of Laws – The University of Sydney
Bachelor of Economics – The University of Sydney
Masters of International Tax – UNSW Sydney
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice – College of Law
Currently enrolled in Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) in Tax Law – Edith Cowen University
State Councillor for The Tax Institute, Qld
Company Secretary and adviser to the Board of Crestnut Products Pty Ltd
Finalist – The Tax Institute SME Tax Adviser of the Year Awards 2020

Experience

19 years’ experience in senior roles in the ATO, including 10 years as Assistant Commissioner, dealing with compliance and technical issues for private groups and SMEs.
10 years’ experience in law firms and Big 4 accounting firms specialising in tax.
Representing clients in debt litigation and negotiations with the ATO.
Representing clients in tax litigation in the Administrative Review Tribunal and Federal Court.
Acting in ATO reviews, audits, settlements and general anti-avoidance panel matters.
Tax advice for individuals, SMEs and private groups including residency issues, director penalty notices, small business CGT concessions, trusts, employee versus contractor and international issues.
Implementing best practice for tax and corporate governance.
ATO private ruling applications and early engagement for advice.
Volunteer at the Griffith Tax Clinic.
Selected to conduct research on tax issues facing vulnerable taxpayers, through the lens of the tax clinics, for Doctor of Philosophy.

Areas of Expertise

Publications

Acknowledgment of country

Cooper Grace Ward acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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