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 […]
ATO’s Taxable Payments Reporting System Update
| | | The ATO has confirmed that more than 60,000 businesses have not yet complied with lodgement requirements under the taxable payments reporting system (‘TPRS’) for 2019/20. The TPRS is a black economy measure designed to assist the ATO to identify contractors who don’t report or under-report their income. The ATO estimates that […]
Jobkeeper Comes to an End
| | | The ATO has advised that the final JobKeeper payment will be processed in April 2021. Enrolled businesses do not have to do anything when the program closes, although they will need to complete their final March monthly business declaration by 14 April 2021. Also, once a business is no longer claiming […]
FBT Rates and Thresholds for the 2021/22 FBT Year
| | | The ATO has updated its webpage containing the fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’) rates and thresholds for the 2017/18 to 2021/22 FBT years. Two amounts that were not previously announced for the 2021/22 FBT year are: the FBT record keeping exemption is $8,923 (up from $8,853 for the 2020/21 FBT year); and […]
Warning Regarding New Illegal Retirement Planning Scheme
| | | The ATO has recently identified a new scheme where SMSF trustees were informed that they could set up a new SMSF to roll-over the fund balance from the old SMSF and then liquidate their old SMSF, in an attempt to avoid paying potential tax liabilities. The ATO warns that taking part […]
ATO Support For Businesses In Difficult Times
The ATO has reminded taxpayers that it has a range of support available for small businesses experiencing difficult situations, such as natural disasters, mental health challenges or financial hardship. Depending on the business taxpayer’s circumstances, the ATO may be able to: give the business extra time to pay its tax. set up a payment plan […]
Proposed FBT Exemption — Retraining And Reskilling
| | | The government has announced it will introduce an exemption from FBT for retraining and reskilling benefits provided by employers to redundant, or soon to be redundant, employees where the benefits may not be related to their current employment. It is proposed that this exemption will not apply to: retraining provided under […]