Latest News
Expenses incurred to obtain employment were non-deductible
The Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) recently held that medical expenses incurred by a taxpayer to obtain (or regain) employment were not deductible as they were not incurred in gaining or producing his assessable income. The taxpayer was an airplane pilot. In July 2021, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority advised the taxpayer of the steps that […]
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, […]
Cryptocurrency and the ATO
Have you dabbled in Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, is not considered money or foreign currency but in fact is an asset for capital gains tax purposes. If you have purchased and disposed of any Cryptocurrency, this will need to be declared in your income tax return as a capital event. Appropriate records to […]
New Year Goals…
With the festive season done and dusted for another year, you may find yourself motivated about getting your priorities right and looking at new year goals. If you’re working for yourself or simply just like to be organised for the end of financial year ahead, take this opportunity to de-clutter and organise that chaos! Here […]
Consumers Compensated by Financial Institutions Still Need to Consider Tax
With the ongoing financial services Royal Commission, and likely future cases brought before various courts for compensation — or indeed the present building of class action lawsuits on the back of various revelations to come out of the Royal Commission — the ATO has felt the need to run over the rules (as they stand) […]
Investment Tax Issues You Need To Be Aware Of
Investors must consider a range of tax laws dealing with income, assets and deductions. Even that term “income”, the meaning of which most of us would assume, can take on nuanced shades of meaning when considered regarding investment. For example, investment income earnings such as dividends and interest are typically considered ordinary income. Franking credits, […]
Do you need an agreement between two business partners?
Going into new business with other people is exciting and can be extremely rewarding. The question remains … should you get an agreement between two business partners? A formal agreement can set the ground rules and stop owners getting caught out if things don’t quite go as well as planned. Whether your firm is structured […]
Taxpayer Alert, Not Alarm
Every now and then you might read or hear about a “taxpayer alert” being issued by the ATO. Taxpayer alerts are the ATO’s “early warning” signals to the public about a certain area of concern — it could be about fraudulent schemes, or dodgy investments, or perhaps about a tax minimisation tactic that the ATO […]