Aptum Legal, which specialises in disputes, has recruited Michael Buscema to lead its tax disputes practice.
Before joining the firm, Buscema recently held the role of acting assistant commissioner at the ATO.
The law firm said Buscema would be a valuable addition to the team based on his 11 years of experience working for the ATO and Commonwealth Treasury.
Over his career, Buscema has held several senior and director-level positions in policy and dispute resolution. According to the legal firm, Buscema will “help shape the future” of the firm’s tax disputes practice.
Buscema said he is looking forward to his new role and working with the team at Aptum Legal.
“I’m thrilled to be guiding the continued development of a different approach to tax disputes with Aptum,” he said.
Buscema played a key role in steering the ATO’s post-COVID-19 recovery strategy and led a team responsible for the ATO’s most strategic tax disputes, both domestically and internationally.
Aptum Legal managing director Nigel Evans said Buscema’s ATO experience and insight would provide a refreshed and knowledgeable perspective to the team.
“Michael’s appointment brings a rare and unique insight into the ATO’s latest recovery priorities and approach to Aptum,” he said.
“We expect this will strengthen our capability in both Federal and State tax disputes.”
Buscema said he would be able to lead the team effectively when tackling the challenge of helping clients navigate the ATO’s latest approach.
“It’s important to take into consideration a client’s full experience with the ATO, not just their audit or objection, but how a variety of risk and circumstantial factors affect how taxpayers are treated.”
“For us, it’s about understanding a client’s objectives and packaging the essential information that gets outcomes in disputes and stripping away the rest.”
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