Chris Jenkins

Executive summary

Chris Jenkins is a Partner in the Indirect Tax team at BDO in Perth, bringing more than 30 years of international experience across Australia, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to simplify complex tax matters, Chris is committed to delivering practical, actionable solutions that help clients save time and money. His career began as a value-added tax (VAT) inspector in the UK, providing him with a unique regulatory perspective that continues to inform his client-focused approach today.

Chris is recognised for his exceptional communication skills and responsiveness, consistently translating intricate tax legislation into clear, understandable advice. He is adept at managing high-stakes negotiations with tax authorities, leading clients through ATO reviews, and designing tax-effective restructuring strategies. Clients value his ability to break down complexity, anticipate challenges, and provide guidance that is both technically rigorous and commercially astute.

His experience spans a diverse range of sectors, including real estate and construction, mining and energy, government and infrastructure, universities, and not-for-profit organisations. Chris’s sector knowledge is complemented by his hands-on experience with indirect tax compliance, advisory, and ERP implementation projects for organisations of all sizes.

Expertise

• Indirect tax (GST and fuel tax) consulting and advisory services for local and global clients
• Indirect tax compliance services
• Management of indirect tax ERP implementations (SAP S4, Oracle, etc.) and design assistance
• Managing ATO indirect tax combined assurance reviews (CARs) and streamlined assurance reviews (SARs) for a range of clients, including international, top 100, top 1000, top 5000, and high net worth groups
• Negotiation of GST and fuel tax technical matters with the ATO, including private rulings and early engagement processes
• Extensive experience negotiating GST positions with the ATO, delivering significant GST refunds.

Experience

Private property development

• Lead GST adviser on numerous real estate acquisitions, sales, and land subdivisions for private developers.

Government and infrastructure

• Lead GST adviser for major government and infrastructure projects, including transfer of development assets, transfer of indigenous infrastructure assets, GST due diligence, review of systems and GST contract reviews.

Build-to-Rent (BtR)

• Lead GST adviser to various investment managers and developers in the BtR space, providing GST advice and structuring, and advice on GST law application for state-subsidised affordable housing.

Not-for-Profit

• GST adviser for health, aged care, social housing, and disability sectors.

Natural resources and energy

• GST adviser for large, multinational natural resources clients

Other

• Adviser for a large ASX listed company, providing national group review of GST controls and ATO justified trust requirements
• Adviser for a national insurance company, providing GST training and review.

Qualifications and affiliations

• Bachelor of Arts, Honours (Business Organisation)
• Tax Technician, Associate of Taxation Technicians, United Kingdom
• Affiliate Member, CA ANZ
• Associate Member, Taxation Institute of Australia