Tax accountants in Melbourne

Award-winning tax advice in Melbourne’s CBD

Liston Newton Advisory is rated 4.8 from 32 reviews
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An award-winning Australian accounting firm

SMSF multi service firm of the year awardSMSF customer service firm of the year awardIfa innovator of the year awardIfa holistic adviser of the year award

We’re the business and personal tax accountants Melbourne trusts

With great financial success comes great financial responsibility. And as tax time rolls around, you’ll soon see that those responsibilities come with a dollar value. Working out your tax liabilities can be an anxious challenge no matter how financially savvy you are — let us help. For over 40 years, Liston Newton’s Melbourne CBD tax accountants have helped business owners and private individuals alike to develop tax-effective accounting strategies.

By working with you to thoroughly understand your current situation and your ultimate financial goals, we deliver bespoke personal tax advice, clearly laying out every step towards your financial freedom. The first step? Sitting down for a coffee. Come for a cuppa at our CBD offices on Queen Street. Parking is easy, but public transport is easier. But would you find a virtual meeting easiest? Just let us know.

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03 9070 9959
Business hours

Monday to Friday

8am to 5pm

Parking

Street parking on Queen St and Flinders Ln. Secure Parking at 367 Collins Street.

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Tax accounting services available in Melbourne

Award-winning tax accounting is only a fraction of our services. As a full-service advisory agency, we can assist you in strengthening every facet of your financial life.

When Liston Newton started with ReAqua, they hit the ground running, implementing changes to the business and the automation of the finance function. Their ability to take on feedback and adapt to the requests from key stakeholders has led to the business consistently improving monthly board meetings. We have found Liston Newton to be a great sounding board, and they are always available to brainstorm ideas or answer questions our business has.

Donald Fraser

CEO, Reaqua Solar Pumping

Liston Newton helped us move our accounting over to Xero. Their accountant managed the set-up and training so we felt comfortable with the software. We now have all our processes streamlined which gives us improved visibility of our business performance. This has allowed us to open two more stores without a significant increase in administration efforts.
Peter Luskan
Pandora

Secure long-term success with Melbourne’s tax experts

Talk to us

Minimisation is the minimum. We deliver robust strategies.

Liston Newton’s tax advisors have assisted individuals at every stage of life and businesses of all sizes to manage their taxes. In fact, many of us are small business owners ourselves. Our experience isn’t theoretical and generalised; it’s roadtested and specific.

Beyond helping you minimise your tax liability, we can also help you understand them better so that you can expand your business and your personal wealth.

Tax agent responsibilities

  • Preparing tax returns
  • PAYG compliance
  • BAS returns
  • Tax planning and minimising tax risks
  • Payroll tax
  • ASIC compliance
  • Investment property and capital gains tax

Learn more about your business with our comprehensive guides

At Liston Newton Advisory, we take pride in helping business owners get more out of their hard work. Our downloadable guides can give you an in-depth look at strategies and technologies that will help your business grow.

  • Discover tax strategies and business structures available to you
  • Understand and apply new business management technology
  • Get in touch with us for information tailored to your business

Download our CFO guide

Want to pay less tax and grow your business profits faster? Our free guide shows you how to take control of your finances, improve cash flow, and make better strategic decisions with help from a virtual CFO.

  • Learn practical ways to reduce tax and increase profitability.
  • Get tips on forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
  • Understand how a virtual CFO helps you scale sustainably.
Get our guide

Download our CFO guide

Want to pay less tax and grow your business profits faster? Our free guide shows you how to take control of your finances, improve cash flow, and make better strategic decisions with help from a virtual CFO.

  • Learn practical ways to reduce tax and increase profitability.
  • Get tips on forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
  • Understand how a virtual CFO helps you scale sustainably.
Get our guide

Meet the Melbourne team

Partner with an experienced personal tax return accountant

We use the breadth and depth of our expertise and industry-leading technology to deliver our most important professional service: peace of mind.

Australia’s most experienced and professional accountants — with industry leading qualifications and accreditations to show for it. Learn more from a specialised business accountant.

Why choose us

Grounded insights. Actionable approach. Proven success.

It stretches the imagination to think that tax accounting allows for any degree of personalisation, but that is, in fact, our specialty. Our Melbourne-based tax accountants have helped countless local clients align their tax strategies and personal goals in ways they never thought possible.

The business owners and high-wealth individuals we counsel have strong financial acumen. But our notoriously knotty taxation rules and regulations are a thorny thicket to untangle for anyone but a specialist. As an award-winning Melbourne tax accountant, we have proven time and again that our accounting strategies definitively work.

Attain financial peace of mind with:

If our claims seem too bold, read through our case studies. When you keep your head down and do the hard work for as long as we have, there’s no need to beat your chest.

Our methodology

Our methodology for reaching financial freedom

How we get you set

The first phase is all about establishing the fundamentals of your business and creating a strong foundation to build from. You also need to establish your long-term goals so you have a clear idea of what you're working towards.

  • Plan your goals
  • Structure your business and assets
  • Online accounting
  • People and HR
  • Protect your business and personal risk
  • Business and personal will

How we get you moving

The second phase is about gaining a deeper understanding of your business; how to make it more efficient and experience sustainable growth. This is where you transition from working in your business to working on your business.

  • Understand your numbers
  • Delegate bookkeeping
  • Systematise and automate tasks
  • Minimise tax
  • Forecast cashflow and capital needs
  • Quarterly coaching and accountability

How we get you free

The final phase is when all your hard work really starts to pay off. This is when you start using your profits to build your personal worth to a point that give you financial freedom—the freedom to work only if you want to.

  • Understand wealth creation
  • Investment portfolio
  • Investment property
  • Superannuation
  • Succession and exit planning
  • Your legacy

Case studies about our Melbourne clients

Community service is a special privilege

We want to be a business that’s part of the community we serve, not above it. We also believe that the best way to continuously serve our community is to offer up the skills we’re best at — fortunately, business and tax advice are always in high demand. We’re proud to use our expertise to sponsor and support:

  • The Cancer Council’s Small Business Advisory Service
  • The Type 1 Foundation for diabetes education and prevention
  • Several community sports teams in Wantirna, Richmond and St Kilda

And that’s just our Melbourne CBD office (we’ll let our South Melbourne tax accountants speak to their own charity choices). The staff at each of our offices across Australia have chosen to support different charities and initiatives closer to their communities and their own hearts.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What tax planning strategies do Melbourne CBD business owners commonly use?

Melbourne CBD business owners often rely on proactive tax planning to reduce liabilities and strengthen long-term financial stability. Structuring a business appropriately, taking advantage of available concessions, and timing financial decisions around the end of the financial year are all common steps.

The right strategies will vary based on your business model, industry, and future plans. A local advisor can help you:

  • Optimise your structure for tax efficiency, such as using a trust or company
  • Maximise relevant deductions, like R&D offsets or retail-specific expenses
  • Implement super contributions or prepayments to reduce this year’s tax bill
  • Adjust timing of income recognition or asset purchases
  • Stay across changing state and federal rules

We help clients build forward-thinking plans that adapt as their business evolves.

How can Melbourne tax accountants help with ATO audits or disputes?

If your business is facing an ATO audit or dispute, a local tax accountant can guide you through the process and represent your interests clearly and confidently.

Having an expert familiar with Melbourne’s commercial environment is especially useful for handling industry-specific audits. We work closely with clients to review documentation, prepare a response, and liaise directly with the ATO or legal professionals. Throughout the process, we aim to minimise disruption while ensuring your rights and obligations are clearly understood.

What are some common tax deductions for Melbourne-based consultants?

Consultants working in Melbourne often have a range of industry-specific deductions available that can reduce their taxable income significantly. Reviewing these deductions with a local advisor ensures your claims align with current ATO expectations.

These may include:

  • Home office expenses if you're working from a Melbourne CBD apartment or co-working space
  • Public transport or rideshare costs for business travel between clients
  • Software subscriptions and licensing fees for project management tools
  • Marketing, website, or client acquisition costs
  • Professional development or industry memberships

Every consultant’s situation is different. We tailor advice to your service type and work environment.

Are there any local council taxes or levies Melbourne businesses should be aware of?

Yes, businesses operating in the Melbourne CBD may be subject to additional council levies or regulatory charges depending on their industry and property use. These charges are administered by the City of Melbourne and can have a significant financial impact.

Waste collection fees, footpath trading permits, and congestion-related parking levies are all common costs for city-based businesses. If you’re leasing a space or operating a customer-facing business, we recommend reviewing these obligations as part of your broader tax planning.

Can Melbourne accountants assist with crypto tax obligations?

Absolutely. Melbourne has a growing number of investors and business owners dealing with cryptocurrency, and tax compliance in this space is increasingly important. Local accountants with crypto experience can help ensure your records meet ATO requirements.

Our advisors can:

  • Review your crypto transaction history across exchanges
  • Help calculate capital gains or losses
  • Interpret ATO guidance specific to staking, mining, or NFTs
  • Ensure records are clean and auditable

The rules around digital assets continue to evolve, so expert guidance is essential to avoid future penalties.

How can Melbourne-based property investors manage land tax and CGT?

Property investors in Victoria must factor in both land tax and capital gains tax (CGT) as part of their strategy, particularly in high-value areas like the Melbourne CBD. The state’s thresholds and exemptions for land tax can be complex, especially when multiple properties are involved.

Local accountants can assist by reviewing your landholdings, helping with CGT event calculations, and structuring purchases or sales to minimise liabilities. We often help clients explore SMSF or trust ownership strategies where appropriate.

What should international businesses know about operating tax-wise in Melbourne?

Foreign-owned entities or overseas clients establishing operations in Melbourne need to navigate both federal tax laws and local obligations. Structuring issues, GST registration, and withholding taxes are common challenges.

We assist international clients with understanding their ATO responsibilities, managing cross-border payments, and ensuring their local operations are set up tax-effectively. Working with a Melbourne-based advisor ensures cultural, commercial, and regulatory considerations are factored into your tax planning.

How can a Melbourne CBD tax accountant support year-end financial preparation?

At financial year-end, Melbourne businesses need to meet ATO deadlines while also using the period to optimise performance. A local accountant can provide guidance that aligns with the seasonal cashflow patterns, staffing needs, and industry cycles relevant to city-based firms.

We support clients with year-end planning by:

  • Reviewing accounts and adjusting for accruals or depreciation
  • Identifying last-minute deductions or super contributions
  • Lodging BAS and PAYG instalments accurately
  • Preparing financial statements and liaising with auditors or lenders

This helps ensure compliance while also positioning your business for strong performance in the new financial year.

We believe in technology, not in magic

Recent developments in ‘artificial intelligence’ have been, frankly, astounding. At first glance, extraordinary new AI tools seem capable of human-level creativity, from writing to photography and video creation. Many tools even claim to be able to boost business productivity with an AI-generated strategy. But anything that seems too good to be true probably is, especially in the hype-fueled tech world.

Liston Newton believes in technology. We gladly and regularly integrate new technologies into our operations. But we also believe that delivering results is more important to our clients than the appearance of techno-progressivism. Partner with us, and we’ll deliver personalised strategies, not confidently worded babble.