Latest News
ATO reminder about family trust elections
Taxpayers may be considering whether they should make a family trust election (‘FTE’) for a trust, or an interposed entity election (‘IEE’) for a trust or other entity. Making an FTE provides access to certain tax concessions (assuming the relevant tests and conditions are satisfied), although there are important things to consider. In particular, once […]
Taxpayer’s claims for various ‘home business’ expenses rejected
In a recent decision, the AAT rejected in full a taxpayer’s claims for “several classes or categories of deductions.” For the relevant period of 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, the taxpayer was (according to his employer) a ‘technical architect’. However, the taxpayer also claimed he worked from home 6am to 11pm seven days […]
SMSFs cannot be used for Christmas presents!
There are very limited circumstances where taxpayers can legally access their super early, and the ATO is reminding taxpayers that “paying bills and buying Christmas presents doesn’t make the list.” Generally, taxayers can only access their super when they: reach preservation age and ‘retire’; or turn 65 (even if they are still working). To access […]
ATO’s tips for small businesses to ‘get it right’
While the ATO knows most small businesses try to report correctly, it understands that mistakes can happen. The ATO advises taxpayers that it is important to get the following ‘basics’ right: using digital tools and business software to help track and streamline processes to increase the efficiency of their business; keeping accurate and complete records, […]
Reminder of December 2024 Quarter Superannuation Guarantee (‘SG’)
Employers are reminded that employee superannuation contributions for the quarter ending 31 December 2024 must be received by the relevant super funds by 28 January 2025. If the correct amount of SG is not paid by an employer on time, they will be liable to pay the SG charge, which includes a penalty and interest […]
Can staff celebrations attract FBT?
With the holiday season coming up, employers may be planning to celebrate with their employees. Before they hire a restaurant or book an event, employers should make sure to work out if the benefits they provide their employees are considered entertainment-related, and therefore subject to fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). This will depend on: the amount […]
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SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements Interest Rates
| | | The ATO has confirmed that the following interest rates charged under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (‘LRBA’) to an SMSF would be consistent with the safe harbour terms the ATO will accept for the 2021/22 financial year. Note that these rates are unchanged from those the ATO accepted for the 2020/21 […]
Introducing SMSF Rollover Alerts Using Superstream
| | | Since February 2020, the ATO has been issuing alerts via email and SMS when certain changes are made to a self-managed super fund (‘SMSF’). With the inclusion of SMSF rollovers in SuperStream, the ATO will send the fund an email and/or text message alert when the fund uses the SMSF verification […]
Lost, Damaged Or Destroyed Tax Records
| | | The ATO knows that many taxpayers are facing lasting impacts left in the wake of natural disasters, so if they find their records have been lost or destroyed, whether in cyclones, floods or bushfires, the ATO can help. According to ATO Assistant Commissioner Tim Loch: Government agencies, private health funds, financial […]
Government Payments Data-Matching Program
| | | The ATO’s government data matching for payments will acquire government payments data from government entities who administer government programs for 2017/18 to 2022/23 financial years. The data items include: service provider identification details (names, addresses, phone numbers, email, dates of birth, service type, ABN, ACN); and payment details (service provider ID, name […]
Preparing For The New Director ID Regime
| | | As part of its Digital Business Plan, the Government announced the full implementation of the ‘Modernising Business Registers’ program. This included recently enacted legislation introducing the new director identification number (‘director ID’) regime. The director ID is a unique identifier that a director will need to apply for once and will keep […]
Do You Use the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House?
| | | The ATO has advised employers intending to claim a tax deduction for super payments that they make for employees in the 2020/21 income year that any such payments must be accepted by the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (‘SBSCH’) on or before 23 June 2021. This allows processing time for the […]
