Present role
Dave Ananth is a partner at Meridian Partners. His practice is Student Loans and Tax Disputes, Negotiations. He acts for individuals and businesses in New Zealand and overseas on Inland Revenue matters.
Relevant experience
Dave has more than 35 years’ legal experience. He is a former Inland Revenue prosecutor and a former Magistrate and Judicial Officer in Malaysia. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 1989 and holds an LLB.
Principal areas of work
- Student-loan repayment obligations, enforcement issues and engagement with Inland Revenue
- Tax debt, payment arrangements and applications for relief where statutory grounds exist
- GST, PAYE and income tax disputes, audits and investigations
- Crypto tax, statutory demands and Inland Revenue enforcement
- Use-of-money interest and penalty issues
- Negotiations involving businesses, directors and overseas taxpayers
Approach to matters
Dave advises on the available legal options, the supporting information required and the steps involved in engaging with Inland Revenue. Remission or relief is sought where proper statutory grounds exist. Decisions remain with Inland Revenue or the courts; no particular outcome is assured.
Media and tax-policy commentary
Dave writes and contributes to media discussions on taxation, Inland Revenue administration and student-loan policy. His wider tax commentary sits alongside the firm’s other practices in Meridian’s Articles & Media archive. DaveTax is his specialist student-loan publication and media platform; formal legal services are provided through Meridian.
Professional and public appointments
- Honorary Consul of Timor-Leste, Auckland, New Zealand
- Honorary Advisor, ASEAN Region, Auckland Business Chamber
- President, New Zealand Malaysian Business Association
- Layperson member, New Zealand Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
- Expert panel member, Ethnic Advisory Panel, Indian Newslink
- Trustee, Atmabhav
Representative public engagements
Dave’s Timor-Leste engagements have included agricultural and dairy-sector introductions, discussions on financial cooperation and investment, and labour-mobility engagement under New Zealand’s RSE framework.
Direct contact
For direct contact details, see the profile above. To reach the wider firm, email info@mplaw.nz.