RONEIL PRASAD
TAX LAWYER | CONSULTANT | CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
Tax laws are fast evolving, and governments are constantly amending it to suit new needs. Internationally, the old “bricks-and-mortar” based tax systems are coming under stress. Fundamental changes from international efforts such the OECD BEPS project further add to the complexities that taxpayers have to deal with.
Roneil Prasad is a specialist tax lawyer at the vanguard of these changes. He regularly assists clients navigate through these fast-evolving changes as they are incorporated into domestic legislation. His broad practice includes all aspects of tax work, including tax advice, disputes, tax debt resolution, international taxation and tax transparency.
Roneil is often sought by governments to advise on structural reforms of their taxation systems.
Roneil is also a leading General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) practitioner – having written dissertations on GAAR at university and over 20 years’ experience in advising clients on the intricacies of GAAR.
About
Roneil is a highly experienced tax expert having worked in the field since 2000. As a lawyer and chartered accountant by training, he ideally suited to taxation work. After gaining valuable experience in a number of senior taxation roles in government and private practice (including Big 4), Roneil has been in sole practice since 2013.
Roneil advises corporates, multi-national enterprises and individuals on all areas of direct and indirect tax. He has a wide breadth of experience across all facets of taxation – advisory work, tax reform and policy, audits and investigations.
Roneil has specialised in international tax and GAAR work since 2000. This work has led to a progression into BEPS related work – such as advice on Economic Substance Rules and the Principal Purpose Test.
Roneil is also a sought-after Consultant on tax policy and developments. He regularly consults to international bodies, including a recent consultancy to UNDP on BEPS implementation and economic substance rules.
Roneil regularly advises governments on tax policy and tax reform. This work builds on Roneil’s significant government experience, including senior legal roles with New Zealand Inland Revenue and New South Wales State Revenue. He has also advised governments of Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries on tax administration reforms.
Roneil is fluent in English and Hindi. A fuller Linkedin profile is available here.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Master of Science (Taxation)
University of Oxford
Master of Laws (First Class Honours in Taxation)
University of Auckland Dissertation entitled Applicability of Choice Doctrine to General Anti Avoidance Rules
Bachelor of Laws
University of Auckland
Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours in Accounting and Taxation)
University of Auckland Senior Prize in Accounting and Finance
LAW ADMISSIONS
Roll of Legal Practitioners for the High Court of Australia
Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia
High Court of New Zealand
High Court of Fiji
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Solicitor – New South Wales Law Society
Chartered Accountant – Australia and New Zealand
Registered Tax Agent – Australia
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Taxation advice across various industries/sectors and in relation to the full range of taxes (including income tax, Capital Gains Tax, Goods and Services Tax)
- International tax (including transfer pricing, permanent establishment, residency)
- Tax audits, disputes and negotiations
- Tax debt
- AML/CTF issues
- Tax transparency issues
- General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) concepts and reconstruction issues.
- Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) developments, including Diverted Profits Tax and Digital Services Tax.
- Tax treaty issues, including practical application of the Principal Purpose Test
- Economic Substances Rules
- Taxation of trusts and investment vehicles.
- Environmental taxes.
- Tax policy submissions to government agencies
- Tax audits, disputes and tax debt
- Goods and Services Tax
