Hayden Bentley

An expert tax practitioner, Hayden acts for corporate groups, both listed and privately held, and high net worth individuals on a range of structuring and taxation issues. With over 15 years experience with a Big 4 accounting firm Hayden brings practical solutions to clients’ often complex problems.

Hayden has advised on complex tax audits and disputes with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) on issues such as division 7A and private company loans, tax consolidation, hybrid financial instruments, value shifting and cross-border restructures. He has appeared on behalf of clients at the ATO’s General Anti Avoidance Rule Panel and has successfully defended actual and threatened assessments on behalf of various clients totalling in excess of $500 million.

He has an industry focus on the mining, energy and resources sectors advising on inbound and outbound international tax structures and corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions and disposals.

He also offers bespoke structuring and commercial advice in conjunction with advising on taxation aspects of structures. Hayden also provides specialist advice on employee share schemes and incentive arrangement for key employees for both listed and private companies.

He is experienced in obtaining rulings and favourable exercises of discretions from the ATO on a timely basis for both public corporate transactions as well as for privately-held groups.

Described by Australian Legal Business as having a ‘cool head in complex matters’, Hayden is also recommended in the 2014 Chambers Asia Pacific Directory.

Hayden has contributed to numerous international industry journals, including the Australia chapters of both the second and third editions of The Projects and Construction Review, published by Law Business Research. The books provide an in-depth analysis of the most important issues related to resources and construction law practice.

As well as regularly lecturing for a number of industry and professional bodies, Hayden is the Chair of the Queensland State Council of The Tax Institute.