FBT issues on the ATO’s radar

The ATO has updated their What attracts our attention list with six items that specifically relate to fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’), as follows:

1. Failing to report motor vehicle fringe benefits, incorrectly applying exemptions for vehicles or incorrectly claiming reductions for these benefits.
2. Incorrectly calculating car parking fringe benefits due to:
   1.        significantly discounting market valuations;
   2.        using non-commercial parking rates; or
   3.        parking rates not being supported by adequate evidence.
3. Mismatches between the amount reported as an employee contribution on an FBT return compared to the income amounts on an employer’s tax return.
4. Claiming entertainment expenses as a deduction but not correctly reporting them as a fringe benefit, or incorrectly classifying entertainment expenses as sponsorship or advertising.
5. Not reporting fringe benefits on business assets that are provided for the personal enjoyment of employees or associates.
6. Not lodging FBT returns (or lodging them late) to delay or avoid payment of tax.

FBT: Record-keeping exemption threshold

The exemption threshold for the FBT year commencing 1 April 2019 is $8,714 (up from the amount of $8,552 that applied in the previous year).

FBT: Benchmark interest rate

The benchmark interest rate for the FBT year commencing on 1 April 2019 is 5.37% per annum (up from the rate of 5.20% that applied for the previous FBT year).

This rate is used to calculate the taxable value of:

• a fringe benefit provided by way of a loan; and
• a car fringe benefit where an employer chooses to value the benefit using the operating cost method.

Example

On 1 April 2019 an employer lends an employee $50,000 for five years at an interest rate of 5% p.a. with interest charged and paid six-monthly, and no principal being repaid until the end of the loan.

The actual interest payable by the employee for the current year is $2,500 (i.e., $50,000 x 5%).

However, the notional interest, with a 5.37% benchmark rate, is $2,685, so the taxable value is $185 (i.e., $2,685 – $2,500).

Read how Omnis Group can help

Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT)

The Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) year runs from 1 April to 31 March.  Speak to us today to seek individual advice to minimise or eliminate your FBT liability.