Julia Johnston

Background

About Julia Johnston

I am the director of Johnston Law, a tax law firm specialising in migrant tax issues. My passion lies in assisting migrants with the tax part of their New Zealand move. I assist my clients to understand the tax implications of time in NZ, and undertake structuring to ensure tax efficiency cross borders. I find a lot of people are unaware of the tax issues they face being new to New Zealand. I work within a tight knit ecosystem of advisors specialising in migration, and work within this ecosystem of advisors to ensure our clients have the wrap around services they require throughout the migration process. I help corporates, individuals and advisors to understand technical tax issues and pay as little tax as possible within the legitimate bounds of the law. My job is to identify the tax issues, and assist to implement the most favourable tax outcome within the commercial bounds of the project. By adding just a few lines to a contract or settlement agreement can add thousands of dollars of value to our client. I use my tax and commercial expertise to assist with relationship property work, where I assist clients with contracting-out agreements, separation agreements, property divisions, and the various negotiations and other related aspects of such work. Relationship separations are a distressing time in a client’s life. I assist with structuring for ventures within the property industry, from both a tax and relationship property perspective. I provide advice on the correct tax and GST treatment of various transactions. I also work with Inland Revenue instigated tax investigations, tax audits and risk reviews and negotiate settlements with Inland Revenue. I am not a substitute for your accountant, or your usual lawyer. I work with your accountant and other trusted advisors to ensure you receive a full suite of services and are operating in a tax efficient manner. I often consult for other lawyers to confirm the tax treatment of a transaction. As a lawyer, our communication is covered by legal professional privilege which is of benefit to clients, especially if they find themselves under investigation by Inland Revenue. Winner of the Finance Monthly Taxation award - NZ Taxation Advisor 2022, 2023 and 2024 Competencies: tax residency, relationship property disputes, contracting out agreements, separations, migrant tax, international tax, GST, land tax, property tax, dispute resolution, disputes with Inland Revenue, tax audits, tax investigations, commercial structuring, divorces.