Latest News
PAYGW reminders for activity statement lodgments
The ATO will be sending certain employers a reminder to lodge their activity statements. The reminder will include the amounts the ATO has on record for them, such as: PAYG withheld amounts reported through Single Touch Payroll; and any other pre-filled amounts, including GST instalments and PAYG instalments (instalment amount option). The ATO’s reminders are […]
ATO AFCX data-matching program
The ATO will acquire relevant account and transaction data (data-matching) from the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (‘AFCX’) for the 2025 to 2027 income years, including the following: Client identification details (names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, identity verification document details, IP addresses, etc); and Bank account transaction details (bank account details, transaction date and […]
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House is closing
The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (‘SBSCH’) will close on 1 July 2026. Editor: The SBSCH is a free online service provided by the Australian Government through the ATO. The SBSCH can be used by employers to pay superannuation for all their employees through a single payment. The SBSCH will then distribute the money to […]
Getting the main residence exemption right
The ATO has the following tips for taxpayers in relation to the CGT main residence exemption. They should consider if they have bought or disposed of property in the past income year. If they have sold property, were they using it solely as their primary place of residence, earning income from it (rental or business), […]
Bill to reduce student debt now law
Legislation has recently been enacted which delivers on the 2025/26 Federal Budget announcement to reduce student debts. Pursuant to this legislation: there is a one-off 20% reduction to Higher Education Loan Program debts and other student loans that were incurred on or before 1 June 2025; the minimum repayment threshold is increased from $54,435 in […]
ATO to include tax ‘debts on hold’ in taxpayer account balances
From August 2025, the ATO is progressively including ‘debts on hold’ in relevant taxpayer ATO account balances. Editor: A ‘debt on hold’ is an outstanding tax debt where the ATO has previously paused debt collection actions. Tax debts will generally be placed on hold where the ATO decides it is not cost effective to collect […]
Super Changes And Full Expensing 12-Month Extension Now Law
A plethora of superannuation law tweaks has recently been made (via recent legislative reforms) which include: Removing the $450 monthly super guarantee threshold. Reducing the eligibility age for making downsizer contributions from 65 to 60. Changes to facilitate the removal of the work test for those aged between 67 and 75 regarding non-concessional and salary […]
Tax Deductibility Of COVID-19 Test Expenses
After much speculation, the Government announced that COVID-19 tests, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (‘PCR’) and Rapid Antigen Tests (‘RATs’), will be both: tax-deductible; and exempt from FBT; broadly where they are purchased for work-related purposes. This will require the introduction of new specific legislation (i.e., to clarify that work-related COVID- 19 test expenses incurred by […]
Covid Test Costs To Be Tax Deductible
The Australian government announced on 7 February 2022 that legislation will be changed to ensure covid test costs will be tax deductible for the 2022 financial year. The deduction will apply both when an individual is required to attend the workplace or has the option to work remotely. What testing expenses will you be able […]
Payment Extension Relating To Jobkeeper Objections
The JobKeeper rules have been amended to ensure the ATO can make payments to certain taxpayers after 31 March 2022. Where a taxpayer has objected to an ATO decision relating to JobKeeper, a payment can be made by the ATO after 31 March 2022 to give effect to the objection decision and decisions of the […]
Single Touch Payroll Exemption Extended For WPN Holders
The ATO has extended the Single Touch Payroll (‘STP’) reporting exemption available to entities that have a withholding payer number (‘WPN’). As a result of this extension, certain entities that have a WPN (but not an ABN) will not be required to report under STP for the 2021‑22 and 2022-23 financial years. This continues the […]
Higher PAYG Withholding Rates Continue to Apply To Backpackers
As we recently communicated, the High Court has held that the ‘working holiday maker tax’ (also known as the ‘backpackers’ tax’) did not apply to a taxpayer on a working holiday visa from the United Kingdom who was also an Australian tax resident. This was due to the application of the Double Tax Agreement between […]