Our Recent Blogs
Tax rate change coming into effect from 1 July 2024.
Australian Income Tax Brackets are changing for the first time in five years.
Choosing the right PAYG instalment method.
The ATO advises that Pay as you go (‘PAYG’) instalments are calculated using either the instalment amount method or the instalment rate method. It recently provided the following two case studies to illustrate the two methods.
Taxpayers need to get their ‘rental right’.
The ATO reminds rental property owners to take care when lodging their tax returns this tax time. Taxpayers should make sure all rental income is included, including income from short-term rental arrangements, renting part of a home, and other rental-related income.
GST Warning: Ride-share providers must be GST-registered.
In accordance with the GST Act, those offering 'taxi travel' services are obligated to register for GST, irrespective of their annual turnover (i.e. the usual $75,000 threshold does not apply).
Luxury Car Tax: Determining a vehicle’s principal purpose.
The ATO recently explained how to determine the principal purpose of a car for ‘luxury car tax’ (‘LCT’) purposes (since LCT is not payable on the supply or importation of cars whose principal purpose is the carriage of goods rather than passengers).
Different meanings of ‘dependant’ for super & tax purposes.
On a person’s death, their superannuation benefits can only be paid directly to one or more ‘dependants’ as defined for superannuation purposes, unless they are paid to the deceased’s legal personal representative to be distributed in accordance with the deceased’s Will.
Reallocation of excess concessional contributions denied.
The AAT has held that there were no special circumstances in relation to a taxpayer who made excess concessional contributions in a financial year, such that the ATO could allocate some of those contributions to the previous financial year.
Downsizer contribution measure eligibility has been extended.
The downsizer contribution concession was introduced to allow older Australians selling an eligible dwelling to make additional contributions into their superannuation fund.
Masters course fees not deductible as self-education expenses.
Case: The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (‘AAT’) has held that tuition fees for a public policy Masters course were not deductible, on the basis that the course did not relate to a taxpayer's work as a music teacher.
Proportional indexation of transfer balance caps from 1 July 2023.
The ATO reminds taxpayers that, from 1 July 2023, the general transfer balance cap will be indexed.
Individuals will have a personal transfer balance cap between $1.6 and $1.9 million, based on the highest ever balance of their transfer balance account between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2023.
Minimum Annual Payments for Super Income Streams.
The ATO reminds taxpayers that an SMSF must pay a minimum amount each year to a member who is receiving a pension that commenced on or after 20 September 2007 (e.g. account based pensions). If the minimum payment is not made by 30 June, this can result in adverse taxation consequences for the member.
Stay off the ATO’s radar and lodge your TPAR on time.
Taxpayers who operate in certain industries and that make payments to contractors may need to report these payments in a TPAR.
Change to Deductions this Tax Time.
Taxpayers who are small business owners operating from home, or who use a vehicle for business purposes, need to be aware of some changes when claiming deductions this tax time.
Technology Investment Boost due to end 30 June 2023.
Last year the previous Coalition Government announced a Technology Investment Boost as part of the 2022/23 Federal Budget. The Boost was announced to support eligible small businesses by providing an incentive to invest in their digital capacity.
‘Side hustles’ in the ATO’s sights.
A recent ATO article highlights the fact that it is increasingly trying to bring more modern techniques of money-making into its tax net. ‘Side hustles’ have really grown over the past few years — everything from the gig economy and drop shippers, to content creators and influencers.
New 15% super tax to apply from 1 July 2025.
The Government recently announced it will be imposing a 15% additional tax on individuals that have more than $3 million in superannuation. The new measure is expected to commence from 1 July 2025.
ATO and Australian Federal Police crackdown on GST-fraud promoters.
A raft of enforcement activity has been undertaken across the country by the ATO-led Serious Financial Crime Taskforce, including the execution of search warrants and issuing of warning letters.
Transfer balance cap indexation.
An individual’s transfer balance cap (‘TBC’) determines the maximum amount they can commit to a retirement phase interest in their super fund, such as an account-based pension, without being subject to penal taxation.
Testamentary Trusts.
The only two things in life that are certain – taxes and death. However, there is a way to reduce the exposure to tax for beneficiaries by establishing a Testamentary Trust. Testamentary Trusts are established by a will and only come into effect when the person passes.
Tips to reduce study & training loan balances.
If you have a study and training loan balance (e.g., a HELP debt), it may be worthwhile to consider methods of reducing the balance to ensure you are not left with a large tax bill when your 2023 income tax return is lodged.