Latest News
Taxable payments annual report lodgment reminder
Businesses that pay contractors for ‘Taxable payments reporting system services’ may need to lodge a ‘Taxable payments annual report’ (‘TPAR’) by 28 August each year. Editor: This includes businesses paying contractors in the building and construction, cleaning and IT industries (among others). The ATO will apply penalties to businesses that have not lodged their TPAR […]
Hybrid vehicles and FBT changes
Employers that provide plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (‘PHEVs’) to employees (or associates) for personal use should remember the following. Home-charging expenses — new shortcut method The ATO has updated its guidelines to include a new method to make it easier to calculate PHEV electricity costs when a vehicle is charged at an employee’s home. To […]
When a hobby becomes a business
Taxpayers may not think they are running a business from their hobby or ‘side hustle’ activities. However, if they start to earn money from doing these activities regularly, they may be carrying on a business without realising it. Generally, carrying on a business involves ongoing and repeated activities with the intention of making a profit. […]
Know when a new logbook is required
Editor: Keeping a car logbook may be required to accurately calculate the business-use percentage of vehicle expenses (e.g., fuel, registration, insurance and depreciation) for tax deductions. Taxpayers can keep the same logbook for their car for five years, but there are circumstances where they may need a new one during that period. Relying on a […]
Work-related expense claims rejected by Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’)
The Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) recently disallowed a taxpayer’s claims for many different types of work-related expenses. The taxpayer was employed full-time as an engineer, working from home two days a week. For the 2023 income year, he claimed deductions totalling over $61,000, in relation to (among other things) car expenses, travel expenses, clothing expenses, […]
Check GST credit claims before lodging BASs
Taxpayers who are registered for GST can get GST credit claims (or ‘input tax credits’) for the GST included in the price of goods and services they buy for their business. However, if they buy something for both business and private use, they need to apportion their GST credit to only claim the business use. […]
Is it a Hobby or a Business?
If you are accepting money in the form of a sale for a product or service, it is important you determine whether you are running a business or if it is simply a hobby. We’ve listed below the important details to help you understand them. Running a Business The below characteristics generally indicate you are running […]
How Does Capital Gains Tax Work?
Capital gains tax is the tax paid on the gain of the sale of a capital asset. Capital assets such as real estate or shares, when sold, need to be declared in your tax return. The gain or loss is determined by the selling price of the asset less the purchase price. If there is […]
How to Get the Most Out of Your Day
Time Management & Self-Management is extremely important to ensure you are getting the most out of your day. Whether it be at work or home, you can apply the same principles to be your best version of YOU every day. There are a few ways you can get the most out of your day […]
Understanding the Division 293 Tax
Division 293 tax is an additional tax on super contributions which reduces the tax concession for individuals whose combined income and contributions are greater than the Division 293 threshold. Why do I have to pay this? Normally, contributions into a superannuation fund are taxed at 15% immediately. This is so when you turn 65 you will […]
How Much Tax Do I Need To Pay?
We often receive phone calls from our Clients asking us whether they are being taxed correctly in their wages. If you are unsure whether you are being taxed correctly, the ATO has an online calculator where you can answer a series of questions relating to your wages which will determine what tax should be withheld […]
What is the Medicare Levy
Quite often we are asked about the Medicare Levy. Common questions are “What is it?”, “Why do I have to pay it” and “Is there a way I can avoid paying it”. So we’ve broken it down for you below. What is Medicare Levy? Australian Residents are entitled to Medicare benefits which is access to […]