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, […]
Simplified depreciation rules for small business
The simplified depreciation rules are attractive for small businesses as, among other things, they allow an immediate write-off for assets costing less than $20,000. In contrast, tax paying entities that do not qualify as a small business must use the general depreciation rules (also known as the uniform capital allowance rules), where certain assets need […]
Getting deductions for clothing and laundry expenses right
The ATO allows certain taxpayers to claim a deduction for the cost of buying and cleaning occupation-specific clothing, items of protective wear and for certain unique, and usually distinctive, uniforms. To claim a deduction it is generally expected that you will be able to provide evidence that you purchased the clothing concerned, and will have […]
What is your “total superannuation balance” and why does it matter?
Recent superannuation reforms introduced a concept of “total superannuation balance”, which on the surface may give the simple impression that it is the sum of the balances of a person’s superannuation interests. However, this is not the case. What is the total balance relevant for? The total superannuation balance is relevant in determining a super […]
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 […]
SMSFs And The In-House Asset Rules Explained
A not-uncommon conundrum for many SMSF trustees is what to do when the fund is found to have breached the in-house asset rules. There are also some common misconceptions about these regulations that keep resurfacing. WHAT DOES THE ATO SAY IN RELATION TO THE IN-HOUSE ASSET RULES? Recent ATO statistics on the SMSF sector show […]
FBT And Cars: A Perennial Head-Scratcher
The provision of cars by employers to employees remains an issue that continues to create confusion for some business taxpayers. A not-uncommon situation is where the employer fails to identify that a car fringe benefit has been provided. This is typically found in family companies or trusts where a car bought by the business is […]