Latest News
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 […]
ATO warning regarding private use of work vehicles and FBT
Employers that supply work vehicles to their employees need to check how the work vehicles are used and whether any exemptions apply to determine if they attract fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). FBT generally applies when a work vehicle is made available for private use, even if it is not actually used. Private use includes any […]
Tips to help sole trader clients
The ATO is seeing sole traders make mistakes in the following areas: not reporting all income — this includes income earned outside their business (like a ‘side hustle’), cash jobs, or payments in-kind/barter deals; overclaiming expenses — this includes claiming the portion of an expense related to personal use, or overstating the cost of goods […]
Fitness Industry – Claiming Work-Related Expenses
This summary outlines some of the deductions a fitness professional can and cannot claim as an employee in the fitness and sporting industry. Car expenses A fitness professional cannot claim deductions for your car expenses from home to work even if: you work outside normal business hours, for example, shift work or overtime you […]
Travel Allowances and the Proper Use of the Exception to Substantiate Claims
Travel allowances are a payment or payments made to employees to cover accommodation, food, drink or incidental expenses they incur when they travel away from their home overnight in the course of their duties. In most circumstances, when claiming other deductions, you will be expected to be able to substantiate the expense being claimed with […]
Tips to getting started on the investment property ladder
Tip 1 – Start by paying off any high interest consumer debts (credit cards, car loans etc). There would be no point earning 5%+ pa on an investment if you are paying15%+ on credit card debt. Set up automatic deductions from your salary to accelerate repayments. Tip 2 – Continue the salary deductions after your […]
Look Before You Leap: The Small Business CGT Concessions
The CGT relief concessions available to small businesses can be very generous. However they can also be complex and confusing, so knowing a few of the finer details can go a long way to ensuring your small business can take best advantage of them. It’s never too early to consider an escape plan, so when […]
Are those investment returns on revenue or capital account?
Investment returns can be on revenue or capital account. Similarly investment expenditure could also be on revenue or capital account. The distinction between revenue and capital is not always clear and the characterisation of a receipt will ultimately depend on the circumstances that apply to the taxpayer. The distinction between an income and capital receipt […]
Do you need to lodge your tax return early?
If you are planning to permanently leave Australia before the end of the financial year, you may be able to have your tax return lodged early. Generally, the ATO only accepts early lodgment of individual returns in certain perscribed circumstances. If you are a resident of Australia for tax purposes, returns lodged before the end of […]