Latest News
ATO’s focus on small business
The ATO is ‘detecting and addressing’ recurring errors in specific industries when businesses have a turnover between $1 million and $10 million. These industries include property and construction (including builders, contractors and tradies), and professional, scientific and technical services (including engineering, design, IT and consulting professionals). In these industries, the ATO continues to see recurring […]
ATO reminder: Business expenses that can (and cannot) be claimed
Taxpayers can claim a tax deduction for most business expenses, provided they meet the ATO’s three ‘golden rules’: The expense must be for business use, not for private use. If the expense is for a mix of business and private use, they can only claim the portion that is used for business. They must have […]
Dual cab utes and FBT
The ATO wishes to dispel the ‘common myth’ that dual cab utes are automatically exempt from fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). If an employer provides dual cab utes to staff to complete their duties and the vehicle is available for personal use, then the benefit may be subject to FBT. By understanding how their employees use […]
ART dismisses argument that medical expenses were deductible
In a recent decision, the Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) held that a taxpayer could not claim a tax deduction for medical expenses incurred by him in relation to his total and permanent disability pension. The taxpayer had been terminated from his employment due to total and permanent disablement (‘TPD’). For the 2024 income year, his […]
ATO warning regarding private use of work vehicles and FBT
Employers that supply work vehicles to their employees need to check how the work vehicles are used and whether any exemptions apply to determine if they attract fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). FBT generally applies when a work vehicle is made available for private use, even if it is not actually used. Private use includes any […]
Tips to help sole trader clients
The ATO is seeing sole traders make mistakes in the following areas: not reporting all income — this includes income earned outside their business (like a ‘side hustle’), cash jobs, or payments in-kind/barter deals; overclaiming expenses — this includes claiming the portion of an expense related to personal use, or overstating the cost of goods […]
Zone Tax Offset – exclude ‘fly-in-fly-out’
In the 2015–16 Federal Budget, the government announced that it will exclude ‘fly-in-fly-out’ and ‘drive-in-drive-out’ (FIFO) workers from the Zone Tax Offset where their normal residence is not within a ‘zone’. Currently, to be eligible for the Zone Tax Offset, a taxpayer must reside or work in a specified remote area for more than 183 […]
Employee Share Scheme Changes
Changes to the tax treatment of employee share schemes (ESS) took effect on 1 July 2015. These apply to Employee Share Scheme interests (shares, stapled securities and rights to acquire them) issued on or after that date. There are changes to some existing rules as well as new concessions for employees of start-up companies. The […]
Investments
Profits or returns you make on your Investments usually become part of your income for tax purposes. Many expenses relating to your Investments are tax deductible – for example, interest on money you borrow to buy shares. Australian residents for tax purposes are taxed on their worldwide income, so whether you have investments in Australia or […]
Truck Drivers: Work-Related Expenses
As tax time is fast approaching we will be outlining common work-related expenses for Truck Drivers. Short-haul or local Truck Drivers usually return home at the end of a day’s work. A long-haul Truck Drivers usually sleeps away from home in the course of driving the truck. When you can make a claim In […]
GST – Goods and Services Tax
GST (Goods and services tax ) is a broad-based tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia. How does the GST work Generally, businesses and other organizations registered for the Goods and Services Tax will: include GST in the price they charge for their goods and services claim credits […]
Investing in shares
Dividends (income from shares) are considered income for tax purposes. There are also other tax implications of obtaining, owning and disposing of shares, including shares in employee share schemes. You can claim deductions for costs related to the dividend income, such as management fees and interest on money you borrowed to buy the shares. Obtaining […]