William Zhang

Partner - Melbourne

William is a partner specialising in indirect taxes at RSM Australia. William advises corporations, property developers, investors, and businesses on complex GST, stamp duty, and land tax matters.

He works with private and public sector entities, large corporate groups, middle market and regional SMEs, high-net-worth individuals, property developers, and property funds across Australia and internationally.

William is known for his ability to balance technical precision with commercial outcomes. He helps clients navigate indirect tax issues that arise during property transactions, business acquisitions, corporate restructures, and cross-border investments. His advice is always practical and commercially focused, ensuring tax outcomes support the underlying deal rather than getting in the way of it.

“I help clients navigate complex indirect tax issues in a way that supports the deal and delivers practical, commercial outcomes.”

A core part of William’s practice involves advising on GST, stamp duty, and land tax issues linked to complex property and business transactions. He assists clients in structuring acquisitions and developments to achieve the best possible tax outcomes while maintaining deal integrity and commercial intent. This includes advising on GST margin scheme and going concern treatments, complex landholder and foreign purchaser surcharge duty and land tax issues, and other state-based tax concessions and exemptions.

William also has extensive experience managing GST, stamp duty, and land tax audits and investigations with the ATO and state revenue offices. He takes a calm, methodical approach to working with tax authorities, combining strong technical arguments with a clear understanding of the commercial context. This approach has often resulted in outcomes that exceed client expectations, including successful objections, significantly reduced assessments and favourable rulings.

International clients regularly seek William’s advice when investing in Australia or expanding their operations locally. He helps overseas investors understand Australia’s indirect tax landscape and advises on the most effective structures to minimise tax exposure while remaining fully compliant. His experience working with foreign investors gives him a strong understanding of the practical challenges they face when dealing with Australian tax systems for the first time.

William enjoys the constantly evolving nature of indirect tax legislation and the opportunities these changes create for clients. He works closely with other advisers, lawyers, and project teams to deliver integrated advice that considers both tax and commercial impacts. This collaborative approach allows him to support clients across a wide range of industries and transaction types.

Before joining RSM, William was a Client Director specialising in indirect tax at another leading accounting and advisory firm as well as a Revenue Specialist at the State Revenue Office. 

William is motivated by solving complex problems for clients and contributing to the continued growth of RSM’s indirect tax practice. He takes pride in delivering advice that creates real value and long-term client relationships built on trust and results.

Outside of work, William enjoys golf and tennis and has a strong appreciation for music. In another life, he almost became a classical guitarist before choosing a career in commerce and law. He also spends time as an occasional golf caddy for his children, combining family time with his love of the game.

Solutions William Zhang provides

William provides expert knowledge in the following areas:

• GST compliance and consulting
• National stamp duty consulting
• State taxes audit and compliance

Significant Projects

• Advised on the indirect tax aspects of a significant merger of two large dual listed companies.
• Advised on the stamp duty treatments (all Australian state jurisdictions) of a significant pipeline infrastructure project.  
• Assisted a listed Malaysian-based property developer in obtaining exemptions from Victorian Foreign Purchaser Additional Duty and Absentee Owner Surcharge when the taxes were first introduced.
• Helped several multinational manufacturing companies to successfully resolve GST audits with the ATO.
• Advised a Queensland property developer on a GST-free going concern ruling for the sale of a major property subdivision and development site, resulting in a favourable ATO outcome.
• Represented a large foreign property group in winning a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal case on Vic primary production exemption.

Associations

• Admitted to practice - Supreme Court of Queensland

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor, The University Of Queensland
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance, RMIT University