Latest News
PAYGW reminders for activity statement lodgments
The ATO will be sending certain employers a reminder to lodge their activity statements. The reminder will include the amounts the ATO has on record for them, such as: PAYG withheld amounts reported through Single Touch Payroll; and any other pre-filled amounts, including GST instalments and PAYG instalments (instalment amount option). The ATO’s reminders are […]
ATO AFCX data-matching program
The ATO will acquire relevant account and transaction data (data-matching) from the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (‘AFCX’) for the 2025 to 2027 income years, including the following: Client identification details (names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, identity verification document details, IP addresses, etc); and Bank account transaction details (bank account details, transaction date and […]
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House is closing
The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (‘SBSCH’) will close on 1 July 2026. Editor: The SBSCH is a free online service provided by the Australian Government through the ATO. The SBSCH can be used by employers to pay superannuation for all their employees through a single payment. The SBSCH will then distribute the money to […]
Getting the main residence exemption right
The ATO has the following tips for taxpayers in relation to the CGT main residence exemption. They should consider if they have bought or disposed of property in the past income year. If they have sold property, were they using it solely as their primary place of residence, earning income from it (rental or business), […]
Bill to reduce student debt now law
Legislation has recently been enacted which delivers on the 2025/26 Federal Budget announcement to reduce student debts. Pursuant to this legislation: there is a one-off 20% reduction to Higher Education Loan Program debts and other student loans that were incurred on or before 1 June 2025; the minimum repayment threshold is increased from $54,435 in […]
ATO to include tax ‘debts on hold’ in taxpayer account balances
From August 2025, the ATO is progressively including ‘debts on hold’ in relevant taxpayer ATO account balances. Editor: A ‘debt on hold’ is an outstanding tax debt where the ATO has previously paused debt collection actions. Tax debts will generally be placed on hold where the ATO decides it is not cost effective to collect […]
Earning income for personal effort
Taxpayers should remember that, if over half their income is from a contract for their personal effort or skills, then their income is classified as personal services income (‘PSI’). Taxpayers can receive PSI in almost any industry, trade or profession, e.g., as a financial professional, IT consultant, construction worker or medical practitioner. Taxpayers who earn […]
Government warns of ‘malicious’ myGov scammers
The Government has urged Australians to be vigilant regarding scammers who target ATO log-in details to commit tax fraud. The ATO has received a large number of reports of scammers using fake myGov sites to steal myGov sign-in details, which can be used to commit tax and refund fraud in other people’s names. These criminals […]
What to know about disaster relief payments
Taxpayers should be aware that some natural disaster relief payments are not taxable. Businesses that have received a government support payment because of a natural disaster (such as a major weather event) should check if they need to include this as assessable income in their tax return before they lodge (although they may not need […]
Illegal Early Access To Super
Faced with tough times, some people may be thinking about accessing their super early. Taxpayers may have been approached by someone (a ‘promoter’) claiming that members of super funds can withdraw their super or use an SMSF to pay off debts, buy a car, or pay for a holiday. The ATO warns taxpayers that this […]
ATO issues warning about false invoicing arrangements
The Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (‘SFCT’) is warning businesses about using illegal financial arrangements such as ‘false invoicing’ to cheat the tax and super systems. False invoicing arrangements may consist of the following: an entity (the ‘promoter’) issues invoices to a legitimate business but no goods or services are provided; the business pays the invoices, […]
NFPs Need To Get Ready For New Return
From 1 July 2024, non-charitable not-for-profits (‘NFPs’) with an active Australian Business Number (‘ABN’) will be required to lodge a new annual NFP self-review return with the ATO to confirm their income tax exemption status. Editor: This will include sporting, community and cultural clubs, among other organisations. Non-charitable NFPs that have an active ABN can […]