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Yachts + Australian Tax

Specialist taxation and compliance guidance for foreign-flagged vessels entering Australian waters.
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Bringing a Superyacht
Into Australia?
We’ll Help You Do It Right

Entering Australian waters with a foreign-flagged vessel involves more than just navigation; it requires a detailed understanding of local tax, legal, and regulatory frameworks. From GST treatment and importation rules to charter eligibility and ownership structuring, a range of risks and requirements must be managed appropriately from the outset.
At Tax Navigate, we offer tailored tax consulting services for:
  • Yacht owners and potential buyers
  • Captains, yacht managers, and marine advisors
  • Intermediaries, including lawyers, brokers, accountants, family offices, customs agents, shipbuilders and shipyards
Whether your goal is private use, commercial chartering, or long-term compliance, we work closely with you and your team to ensure your vessel is legally ready to operate in Australian waters.
What We Help

YOU NAVIGATE

We provide end-to-end tax consulting for vessels entering Australia, including:

Tax planning for foreign-flagged vessels

Understand the Australian taxation implications for private use, charter operations, or a combination of both.

Structuring for commercial operation

Advice on structuring the vessel’s use and ownership for maximum tax efficiency and charter eligibility.

Ownership and flag state considerations

Guidance on the beneficial and legal ownership arrangements best suited to align with commercial and flagging objectives.

Australian tax and entity registrations

Full support in registering for business, tax and other local requirements as needed.

Fiscal agency services

Appointing a representative in Australia to handle local compliance and dealing with local regulators and authorities.

Claiming tax credits

Identify and secure available Australian tax credits. We also co-ordinate claiming overseas VAT/GST credits for Australian owners.

ATO representation and regulatory engagement

We manage communication with the Australian Taxation Office and other relevant authorities, so you don’t have to.
Jeff Pfaff’s Profile
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Who We Work With

Through Tax Navigate, we support a wide range of clients and professionals, including:
International yacht owners
entering or operating
in Australia
Brokers, managers, and maritime
professionals seeking trusted
technical guidance
Legal and accounting firms
looking to refer clients for
specialist taxation support
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Our Approach

Our process is tailored but straightforward:

Understand your vessel’s commercial objectives

We work with you to understand the vessel’s intended use in Australia and the outcomes you aim to achieve.

Design the right structure and registration plan

We advise on ownership structure, flag state implications, and handle necessary Australian and overseas registrations.

Deliver a tailored Australian tax plan

A clear, step-by-step guide outlining the taxation implications and responsibilities while in Australian waters.

Manage ongoing compliance and ATO engagement

We personally oversee all ongoing compliance and act as your representative with the ATO and other regulators ensuring your obligations are met with clarity and confidence.
Tax Navigate?

Why Choose

With years of industry expertise, we bring a unique blend of technical depth, industry insight, and commercial understanding.
Clients trust Tax Navigate for:
Deep knowledge of Australian GST law
Proven experience across government & private sectors
Practical, commercially focused outcomes
Hands-on, personal service, every step of the way
Learn more about our founder Jeff Pfaff’s expertise and skills
Jeff Pfaff’s Profile
View Client Case Studies

Need Advice for Your Vessel?

If you’re planning to bring a yacht into Australian waters or advising someone who is, get in touch for a consultation or send an enquiry today.
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