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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Tax Office to Double Audits of ‘Dodgy’ Rental Deductions
Rental property owners are being warned to ensure their claims are correct this tax time, as the ATO has announced it will double the number of audits scrutinising rental deductions, with a specific focus on: over-claimed interest; capital works claimed as repairs; incorrect apportionment of expenses for holiday homes let out to others; and omitted […]
How Does Capital Gains Tax Work?
Capital gains tax is the tax paid on the gain of the sale of a capital asset. Capital assets such as real estate or shares, when sold, need to be declared in your tax return. The gain or loss is determined by the selling price of the asset less the purchase price. If there is […]
How to Get the Most Out of Your Day
Time Management & Self-Management is extremely important to ensure you are getting the most out of your day. Whether it be at work or home, you can apply the same principles to be your best version of YOU every day. There are a few ways you can get the most out of your day […]
New Year Goals…
With the festive season done and dusted for another year, you may find yourself motivated about getting your priorities right and looking at new year goals. If you’re working for yourself or simply just like to be organised for the end of financial year ahead, take this opportunity to de-clutter and organise that chaos! Here […]
The Work Christmas Party
It’s not quite Christmas time yet, but most businesses will be in the process of thinking ahead to the yuletide festivities, if not already into well-advanced planning. One of the perennial questions is if and how fringe benefits tax applies to these activities. There is no separate fringe benefits tax (FBT) category for Christmas parties […]
Significant change to claiming working from home expenses
Before 1 July 2022, an individual taxpayer that incurred additional deductible expenses as a result of working from home, had a choice of three methods around claiming working from home expenses. These choices were: The shortcut method – which was available from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2022; The fixed-rate method – which was […]
