Meet Leo Iermano
Leo Iermano brings over 30 years of direct ATO experience to the table, making him one of the most qualified experts in Australia when it comes to tax negotiations and dispute resolution.Leo is an ATO expert boasting over 30 years of invaluable experience with a proven track record, he has managed and led audits and teams across multiple areas of the ATO (Income Tax, GST, FBT, etc) with the prime objective of influencing taxpayer behavior for the benefit of all Australians.
Why Experience Matters When Negotiating with the ATO
When dealing with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the stakes are high. Whether you’re facing an audit, a dispute, or a complex tax issue, having an expert by your side can make all the difference. That’s why working with a true insider—someone who understands the ATO from the inside out—is critical.
When dealing with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the stakes are high. Whether you’re facing an audit, a dispute, or a complex tax issue, having an expert by your side can make all the difference. That’s why working with a true insider—someone who understands the ATO from the inside out—is critical.
Meet Leo Iermano – A True ATO Insider
Leo Iermano brings over 30 years of direct ATO experience to the table, making him one of the most qualified experts in Australia when it comes to tax negotiations and dispute resolution.
As a former ATO Director, Leo has: -Led and managed audits and teams across multiple tax areas, including Income Tax, GST and FBT.
-Played a pivotal role in the 2010 Federal Budget, representing the ATO responsible for raising $300 million for the ATO through strategic compliance initiatives and the employment of over 1,000 personnel, expanding the ATO’s compliance and enforcement capabilities.
As a former ATO Director, Leo has: -Led and managed audits and teams across multiple tax areas, including Income Tax, GST and FBT.
-Played a pivotal role in the 2010 Federal Budget, representing the ATO responsible for raising $300 million for the ATO through strategic compliance initiatives and the employment of over 1,000 personnel, expanding the ATO’s compliance and enforcement capabilities.
Unmatched Expertise for SMEs and Their Directors
No other firm in Australia has this level of expertise when it comes to dealing with the ATO. Leo’s unique insider knowledge allows him to anticipate the ATO’s approach, navigate complex tax matters, and negotiate from a position of strength—ensuring that SMEs and their directors get the best possible outcome.
When you’re up against the ATO, you need more than just a tax expert—you need someone who has been on the other side. With Leo Iermano, you gain a strategic advantage that no other firm can offer.
When you’re up against the ATO, you need more than just a tax expert—you need someone who has been on the other side. With Leo Iermano, you gain a strategic advantage that no other firm can offer.
Current Work
Tax Negotiator
Freelance Work
NOVEMBER 2019 TO CURRENT
Key Responsibilities
- Collaboratively developing and implementing tax debt solutions for clients.
- Delivering high-quality support across several taxation agents across Melbourne, leading negotiations with the ATO and key stakeholders.
- Led ongoing engagement with Auditors, Team Leaders, and Directors to review and secure tax approvals and achieve optimum results for clients.
- Escalated issues to different divisions of the ATO, engaging in ongoing communications to resolve GST, FBT, capital gains, and taxation problems, and negotiating ongoing business compliance.
- Built and nurtured strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Significant Achievement
- Leveraging sound negotiation skills to support several tax agents across Melbourne, negotiating taxation claims on behalf of individuals, and small and large businesses with turnover of up to $50M. Intuitively engaged with various ATO departments to significantly negotiate outcomes for key stakeholders, saving several businesses from bankruptcy.
Experience
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Delivery Director – Australian Business Register (July 2012 – July 2013) Director – Serious Evasion Risk & Intelligence (June 2010 – June 2012) Acting Senior Director – Complex Risk & Strategy (June 2010 – June 2012) Special Project Design Manager of New Policy (September 2009 – May 2010) Acting Director GST Risk and Strategy Across Markets (August 2008 – September 2009) Manager & Acting Director GST Complex Risk and Strategy (November 2006 – August 2008) Manager GST Large Compliance Program (April 2000 – November 2006)
Significant Achievements
Spearheaded the development of a policy proposal, leading the development of the project and overseeing engagement with internal and external stakeholders. Continually sought feedback from multi-disciplinary business divisions to support lodgement efficiency, improve compliance and data matching processes, and build business strategy. Successfully negotiated and secured $350M funding budget, resulting in the creation of over 1500 jobs and achieving $2Bn in revenue.
1. Built on ATO systems, not guesswork - Leo helped design the very compliance frameworks mostbusinesses now face.2. Firsthand insight into ATO risk models - We understand exactly how and why the ATO targets certainbusinesses-and how to respond strategically.3. Experience at the highest policy level - Leo worked directly with the Assistant Commissioner to shapenational enforcement priorities.4. Track record of recovering billions - He helped deliver over $2B in recovered revenue-now that expertiseprotects businesses, not prosecutes them.5. Real relationships, not assumptions - Leo knows the culture, language, and pressure points of ATOnegotiation from the inside.6. Proactive, not reactive - Our approach anticipates risk and works with ATO systems to protect viablebusinesses early.7. Tailored for directors under pressure - Leo brings clarity, empathy, and real solutions for business ownersfacing urgent tax debt.8. Integrated with funding outcomes - His insights directly inform our funding models-resulting in approvalswhere others walk away.9. Trusted by professionals nationwide - Accountants, insolvency practitioners, and brokers regularly turn toLeo for complex client cases.10. A mission to preserve good businesses - This venture exists to help directors act with confidence andclarity-before it's too late.
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