Indirect Tax

Managing indirect tax compliance is about more than meeting deadlines, it’s about building confidence in your systems, reducing risk, and ensuring your business is prepared for scrutiny. At BDO, we help clients establish strong foundations for GST and related tax obligations through practical support and strategic oversight.

Our team assists with routine lodgements, including Business Activity Statements (BAS) and Instalment Activity Statements (IAS), as well as ABN and GST registrations for new or expanding businesses. We also guide eligible businesses through Deferred GST Scheme registration, helping improve cash flow and streamline import processes.

Beyond lodgements, we offer compliance reviews and health checks to identify gaps or inefficiencies in your current processes and provide tax governance frameworks that support long-term accountability and assurance. Whether you're looking to strengthen internal controls or prepare for regulatory review, our specialists work with you to ensure your compliance approach is fit for purpose.

Indirect tax considerations play a critical role in the success of business transactions. Whether you're preparing for an IPO, acquiring assets, or restructuring your operations, our experts provide strategic advice and technical support across all stages of a transaction, helping you identify risks, uncover opportunities, and meet compliance obligations.

Due diligence

Our team conducts indirect tax due diligence for a wide range of transactions, including IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and asset sales. We assess GST, state taxes, and other indirect tax exposures to help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected liabilities. Our insights support smoother negotiations and stronger post-deal outcomes.

Structuring

Effective structuring can significantly impact the tax efficiency and compliance profile of a transaction. We advise on GST and state tax implications of various deal structures, helping you optimise outcomes while meeting regulatory requirements. Whether you're restructuring for growth, divesting assets, or consolidating operations, we tailor our advice to your business strategy.

Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) applies to wine producers, importers, and wholesalers, and must be reported in your Business Activity Statement (BAS) if you're registered for GST. 

The rules around WET can be complex, particularly when it comes to calculating liabilities, applying rebates, and determining whether transactions are taxable. Our team can help you understand your WET obligations and ensure you're reporting the correct amounts. 

Our team works with wine businesses of all sizes to provide practical, tailored advice, whether you're navigating the rebate system, managing wholesale transactions, or seeking clarity on compliance requirements.

We combine deep industry knowledge with a collaborative approach to help you stay compliant and make informed decisions that support your commercial goals.

Fuel tax credits can provide valuable relief for businesses that use fuel in eligible activities, but working out your entitlements can be challenging. From understanding eligibility rules to calculating claims accurately, the process requires a comprehensive understanding of the legislation.

We work with businesses across infrastructure, agriculture, construction, and other fuel-intensive industries to assess entitlement, optimise claims, and implement processes that support accurate reporting. Our goal is to help you maximise your credits while staying fully compliant with ATO requirements.

Whether you're claiming for on-road or off-road use, we’ll guide you through the process and ensure your claims are substantiated and audit-ready.