Latest News
SMSF non-compliance with release authorities
Release authorities are documents issued by the ATO to super funds, authorising the release of money from a member’s super account to pay specific liabilities, including in relation to excess concessional contributions, excess non-concessional contributions, and Division 293 tax assessments. The ATO is seeing a rise in SMSFs that receive a release authority and are […]
New ATO Data-Matching Programs
The ATO acquires and uses data for pre-filling, detecting dishonest or fraudulent behaviour, and identifying areas where it can educate taxpayers to help them understand their tax obligations. When data does not match, the ATO may contact tax agents and their clients to find out why. Rental Income Data-Matching Over the coming months, the ATO […]
ATO’s focus on small business
The ATO is ‘detecting and addressing’ recurring errors in specific industries when businesses have a turnover between $1 million and $10 million. These industries include property and construction (including builders, contractors and tradies), and professional, scientific and technical services (including engineering, design, IT and consulting professionals). In these industries, the ATO continues to see recurring […]
ATO reminder: Business expenses that can (and cannot) be claimed
Taxpayers can claim a tax deduction for most business expenses, provided they meet the ATO’s three ‘golden rules’: The expense must be for business use, not for private use. If the expense is for a mix of business and private use, they can only claim the portion that is used for business. They must have […]
Dual cab utes and FBT
The ATO wishes to dispel the ‘common myth’ that dual cab utes are automatically exempt from fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). If an employer provides dual cab utes to staff to complete their duties and the vehicle is available for personal use, then the benefit may be subject to FBT. By understanding how their employees use […]
ART dismisses argument that medical expenses were deductible
In a recent decision, the Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) held that a taxpayer could not claim a tax deduction for medical expenses incurred by him in relation to his total and permanent disability pension. The taxpayer had been terminated from his employment due to total and permanent disablement (‘TPD’). For the 2024 income year, his […]
Share Dividend Income and Franking Credits
Mum and dad investors in receipt of dividends from their share portfolio often benefit from investing in blue chip shares because they usually have franking credits attached. As a general rule, an Australian resident shareholder is assessed for tax on dividends received plus any franking credits attached to those dividends. The shareholder is assessed on […]
Where has the year gone?
Where are we going? If you decide to go on a week’s holiday you wouldn’t normally just jump in the car and take off, would you? You would need to consider many things before leaving: Where do you want to go? Where to stay? Availability of accommodation? What to take with you? How much money […]
Identifying a good investment property
Most of us have heard the saying ‘Location, location, location’, but have we thought about what it actually means? Is it the only factor when considering buying an investment property? Location, location, location There is no doubt that location is one of the most important factors in determining a good investment property. It influences your […]
Gumtree sourced assets, and the realities of making a claim
A recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) brought into focus a growing phenomenon that you should keep in mind for work-related or business expense deduction claims, especially where the acquisition of claimable assets is made in a certain way. THE ENGINEER AND HIS “INVOICE” The AAT case involved a taxpayer’s attempt to make […]
The CGT Implications of Subdividing and Building on the Family Property
Given the state of the property market in Australia these days, a not-uncommon situation can arise where a residential propefty owner seeks to demolish and subdivide the block containing the family home and build residential units. lf you have the available land of course, the above is a solid strategy. However it can cause headaches from a tax perspective – and in […]
Are Personal Carer Travel Costs Claimable? It Depends …
A recent Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision has ramifications for taxpayers with disabilities, and who are in need of a personal carer. The decision centres around what is or is not acceptable as a tax deduction in relation to the costs that arise with regard to that carer under certain conditions. The circumstances of the taxpayer concerned in the case are particularly relevant, […]