Latest News
ATO warns about barter credit tax scheme
The ATO is warning the community to steer clear of an emerging tax scheme involving barter credits — a type of alternative currency used in some business networks. A tax scheme that involves artificially inflating deductions for donations of barter credits to deductible gift recipients (‘DGRs’) is on the rise. While it may seem enticing, […]
ATO’s new approach to holiday home expenses
The ATO has announced that it will take a somewhat different approach in relation to holiday home expenses that are claimed in relation to holiday homes. Broadly, the ATO now takes the view that, if a taxpayer’s rental property is also their holiday home, certain deductions relating to holding it will be completely denied (rather […]
Australians call out tax dodgers in record numbers
The ATO has hit a major milestone of over 300,000 tip-offs from the community about tax dodgers and other dishonest behaviours since 1 July 2019. In the 2024/25 financial year alone, almost 50,000 red flags were raised by members of the community who spotted something suspicious. Most of the tip-offs received related to shadow economy […]
Dental expenses are private expenses
The ATO has been seeing a number of deduction claims for dental expenses this tax time. Dental expenses are private expenses, including preventative and necessary dental treatment, medical expenses and other costs relating to client’s personal appearance (such as teeth whitening, makeup, skin care, shaving products and haircuts) are not deductible. These expenses are generally […]
Reminder of December 2025 Quarter Superannuation Guarantee (‘SG’)
As noted in the previous article, employee December 2025 Quarter Superannuation Guarantee must be received by the relevant super funds by 28 January 2026. 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 component. […]
Alternative providers to the SBSCH
Employers should start preparing for the permanent closure of the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (‘SBSCH’) on 1 July 2026. By acting now to find an alternative service, employers will: have an established process in place to pay super guarantee (‘SG’) for the March and June quarters (if they currently pay quarterly); reduce the risk […]
Varying PAYG Instalments Due To COVID-19
| | | Varying PAYG instalments throughout the year is now an option for taxpayers if they think they will pay too much, compared with their estimated tax for the year. To assist taxpayers who continue to be affected by COVID-19, the ATO has stated that it will not apply penalties or interest on varied […]
Division 7A Benchmark Interest Rate For 2022 Remains Unchanged
| | | The Division 7A benchmark interest rate for the 2022 income year remains unchanged from the 2021 rate of 4.52%.
New ATO Data Matching Programs
| | | The ATO has advised that it will engage in two new data matching programs, as outlined below: the ATO will acquire novated lease data from McMillan Shakespeare Group, Smartgroup Corporation, SG Fleet Group, Eclipx Group, LeasePlan, Toyota Fleet Management, LeasePLUS and Orix Australia for the 2018/19 through to 2022/23 financial years […]
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 […]