The JobKeeper Payment Legislation
JobKeeper Payment Bills passed but no detail yet JobKeeper Payment details still not available We would like to take this opportunity to update you on the JobKeeper Payment Scheme. Bills passed but no detail yet Yesterday, the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Bill 2020 was introduced and passed both Houses of Parliament. Unfortunately, […]
New super guarantee amnesty
On 6 March 2020, the government introduced a superannuation guarantee (‘SG’) amnesty Employers who come forward from 6 March 2020 need to apply for the amnesty. This amnesty allows employers to disclose and pay previously unpaid super guarantee charge (‘SGC’), including nominal interest, that they owe their employees, for quarter(s) starting from 1 July 1992 […]
Coronavirus: Government announces new tax measures
ATO’s support measures to assist those affected by COVID-19 The Government has announced a number of economic responses to the Coronavirus (or ‘COVID-19’) pandemic, including economic stimulus packages worth billions of dollars. Some of the key tax measures include: From Thursday 12 March 2020, the instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 (for […]
Coronavirus Jobkeeper Payment
Federal Government offers $130b in coronavirus wage subsidies for businesses to pay workers The Government has announced a $130 billion JobKeeper payment to help keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the significant economic impact caused by the Coronavirus. Around 6 million workers will receive a fortnightly payment of $1,500 (before tax) […]
Natural disaster SMS scam
SMS scam targeting natural disaster victims The ATO is warning the community about a new SMS scam which promises an 8% bonus on 2020 tax returns to victims of recent natural disasters. The scam text message says: “Due to natural disasters, Australians are entitled to an 8% bonus on their tax return. Please begin the […]
Bushfire crisis response
The ATO’s Bushfire crisis response In response to the devastating bushfires across large parts of Australia, the ATO has been keen to advise those impacted that it understands peoples priority is their family and community. If taxpayers live in one of the identified impacted postcodes, the ATO will automatically defer any lodgments or payments, meaning […]
New ‘gig’ economy reporting
Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook The MYEFO announced the Government’s intention to implement a new third party reporting regime for the sharing economy. Treasury released its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (‘MYEFO’) for 2019/20 forecasting a surplus of approximately $5 billion. The new reporting regime will apply to businesses who operate via online platforms within […]
Proposed new record-keeping course
MYEFO – 2019/20 Treasury has released its Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (‘MYEFO’) for 2019/20 forecasting a surplus of approximately $5 billion. One new tax-related measure of note in the MYEFO was the announcement the ATO would be provided with a new discretion to direct taxpayers (found to be lacking in their substantiation efforts under […]
Lifestyle assets continue to be an ATO audit target
Lifestyle assets targeted The ATO has revealed it will request a further five years’ worth of policy information from over 30 insurance companies about taxpayers who own marine vessels, thoroughbred horses, fine art, high-value motor vehicles and aircraft. The ATO expects to receive information about assets owned by around 350,000 taxpayers from 2016 to 2020 […]
Disclosure of business tax debts
Taxation Administration (Tax Debt Information Disclosure) Declaration 2019 Following the enactment of legislation in late 2019, the ATO can disclose certain business tax debt information to external credit reporting bureaus. This information will primarily be used when issuing external creditworthiness reports in relation to relevant businesses, effectively treating tax debts in a similar manner to […]