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 […]
Single Touch Payroll (STP) Are You Ready?
If you’re an employer and have 20 or more employees, you should already know and be in the process of Single Touch Payroll. If you have 19 or less employees, you will be required to report through Single Touch Payroll to the ATO from 1st July 2019. Many new employers may be scratching their heads […]
ATO Scam Calls – What You Need To Know
As most of you should hopefully know by now, there are MANY ATO scam calls going around Australia from automated voice messages to real people impersonating your accountant or tax agent. Recently the ATO have been made aware of the current scam calls which involve a pre-recorded call impersonating the ATO and threatening Australian Taxpayers […]
Your Tax Return Due Date and Overdue Implications
It is important to understand your obligations as an Australian Taxpayer to know your tax return due date. It’s extremely important. We have broken it down for you in simple terms to better understand your tax return due date. If you are lodging your taxes using an online platform yourself, you are required to lodge […]
Single Touch Payroll For Employees
With the introduction of Single Touch Payroll for employees, the way workplaces report your tax and super information the ATO has changed. The ATO have changed the way workplaces will be reporting your tax and super information which will provide the ATO with your tax and super information on more of a frequent basis. The […]
Airbnb in the Firing Line This Tax Season
With the increased popularity in “sharing economy” accommodation Airbnb and similar properties are predicted to be in the firing line this year with the ATO. It comes as no surprise the ATO have recently commenced the ‘sharing economy (accommodation) data matching program’. Through this program the ATO will be collecting information from rental platforms such […]
Employees and Payment Summaries
The ATO has also reminded employees about employees and payment summaries. How they get their end of financial year information from their employer, showing their earnings for the year, depends on how their employer reports their income, tax and super information to the ATO. Specifically: Employers that are not yet reporting through STP will continue […]