Michael

Michael Buscema is a tax litigator with rare positioning to help privately wealthy clients resolve complex disputes with the ATO and SRO. For 11 years prior to joining Aptum, Michael worked for the ATO and Commonwealth Treasury, holding a range of senior positions including acting Assistant Commissioner of the ATO.

During his time at the ATO, Michael oversaw the ATO’s most complex, strategic recovery cases and was responsible for resolving multiple disputes valued over $100 million. Michael has particular expertise in working with wealthy groups to execute settlement and security agreements, having negotiated arrangements with the ATO totalling over $1 billion.

Clients gain unique insights into the ATO’s latest approach through Michael’s instrumental role in steering the ATO’s post COVID-19 debt recovery strategy. Combined with his experience as a policy director, Michael understands the political, legislative and risk factors that influence ATO decision making, enabling him to achieve the best possible outcomes in tax disputes.

With Michael’s approach, clients and their advisors can expect a simple process for resolving their tax dispute. Throughout his career, Michael has played a key role in implementing reforms to make Part IVC disputes more accessible for small and medium businesses. An expert in diffusing issues that can cause delay, Michael is experienced in bringing together stakeholders with wildly different interests to reach commercial outcomes with the ATO.

Michael’s interest in demystifying barriers to resolving disputes extends to his care for developing legal teams in ways that help clients meaningfully engage with the law – with humanness in communication a starting point for considerate, outcome-focused relationships.

Featured content by Michael:

• +61 3 7020 9236
• +61 487 000 933
• michael@aptumlegal.com.au