Latest News
Prepare for upcoming lodgments of SMSF annual returns
SMSFs need to appoint an auditor no later than 45 days before they lodge their SMSF annual return (‘SAR’). In preparation for lodgment of the SAR, SMSF trustees also need to: complete a market valuation of all the SMSF’s assets; prepare the SMSF’s financial statements; and provide signed copies of documents to their auditor, so […]
Using the ATO’s Small Business Benchmark
The ATO has updated its small business benchmarks for 2021-22. These benchmarks help taxpayers compare their business turnover and expenses with other small businesses in the same industry. Taxpayers can access the benchmarks on the ATO’s website, and then calculate their benchmark using the ATO app ‘Business performance check’ tool. For example, consider Deb who […]
How to claim working from home expenses
Taxpayers who have been working from home this financial year, and who consequently incurred work-related expenses, have two ways to calculate their work from home deduction: the actual cost method; or the fixed rate method. Using the fixed rate method, taxpayers can claim a rate of 67 cents per hour worked at home. This amount […]
Avoiding common Division 7A errors
Private company clients who receive payments, benefits or loans from their private companies need to ensure compliance with their additional tax obligations (which are often referred to as their ‘Division 7A’ obligations). There are multiple ways in which business owners may access private company money, such as through salary and wages, dividends, or what are […]
Penalties soon to apply for overdue TPARs
Businesses that pay contractors to provide certain services may need to lodge a Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) by 28 August each year. From 22 March, the ATO will apply penalties to businesses that: have not lodged their TPAR from 2023 or previous income years; have received three reminder […]
Jail sentence for fraudulent developer
A developer who conspired to lodge fraudulent business activity statements has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail with a non-parole period of six years and eight months. The developer was involved with two companies that formed part of a group known as the ‘Hightrade Group’ which developed properties such as a hotel […]
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Regulations Confirm No SG Obligation On Jobkeeper Payments Where Work Is Not Performed
| | | The federal government has registered the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Amendment (Jobkeeper) Payment Regulations 2020. These regulations ensure that amounts of salary or wages that do not relate to the performance of work and are only paid to an employee to satisfy the wage condition for getting the JobKeeper payment are prescribed […]
COVID-19 and Division 7A Relief
| | | The ATO has announced some limited relief for private companies that have loans to their shareholders or related parties that are governed by what are referred to as “complying loan agreements”. A complying loan agreement is entered into to avoid triggering an assessable deemed dividend that could potentially be equal to […]
Extension of the JobKeeper Payment
| | | Sadly, many Australian businesses are a long way from trending back to ‘normal’ as we approach 27 September 2020, the original date that JobKeeper was set to end. Thankfully the government has announced an extension of the JobKeeper Payment, with additional turnover qualifications. The JobKeeper Payment, which was originally due to […]
Jobkeeper Declaration Due 14 June
| | | Businesses that have enrolled in the JobKeeper Scheme and identified their eligible employees are reminded that they will need to make a monthly declaration to the ATO to ensure they continue to receive JobKeeper payments. The monthly declaration must be made by the 14th day of each month to claim JobKeeper […]
Treasury Laws Amendment – Extending The Instant Asset Write-Off
| | | Treasury Laws Amendment (2020 Measures No 3) Bill 2020 has passed both Houses of Parliament and is now law. Extending the Instant Asset Write-Off This legislation amends the income tax law to allow a business with an aggregated turnover for the income year of less than $500 million to immediately deduct […]
ATO On Property Investments
| | | The ATO has reminded taxpayers in a property business or thinking about investing in property that there are things they should know, such as: they need a clearance certificate from the supplier when buying property over $750,000; they may have to pay the GST on the sale of brand new residential […]