STP and superannuation guarantee
ATO actively using data to warn employers not paying required SG on time In a presentation at the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Chairs Forum, the ATO’s Deputy Commissioner confirmed that as a result of STP, the ATO now has an “unprecedented level of visibility” of super information. In particular, the ATO’s examination of Super […]
SMS for SMSF
ATO to email, SMS SMSF changes In the interests of protecting self-managed super fund (SMSF) members and their retirement savings from fraud and misconduct, the ATO has announced it will send out an email and/or a text message via an SMS when changes are made, including updates to the SMSF financial details or member information. […]
Late SMSF annual returns to change Super Lookup ‘status
Super Lookup ‘status’ will change if SMSF annual returns are late The ATO considers the lodgement of an SMSF’s annual return on time to be a fundamental part of an SMSF trustee’s obligations. Consequently, from 1 October 2019, if an SMSF is more than two weeks overdue on any annual return lodgement due date and […]
Bushfire assistance
ATO November 2019 bushfire assistance Following the devastating bushfires across large parts of NSW and Queensland in November, the ATO has offered ongoing support. In particular, a specific helpline (1800 806 218) has been established that can be used by those impacted to seek assistance, such as to: obtain extra time to pay tax debt […]
Taxpayer liable for excess transfer balance tax
Taxpayer liable for excess transfer balance tax despite commutations A taxpayer has unsuccessfully tried to challenge an excess transfer balance tax liability, despite following the ATO’s instructions. The taxpayer was receiving three pensions in 2017, including two capped defined benefit income streams and one account based pension. Based on information reported by the super funds, […]
Reporting asset disposals for CGT
ATO’s data-matching capabilities increase Close attention being paid to capital gains made on shares, property and cryptocurrency. Therefore, it’s important to let us know about any asset disposals (which can include an asset’s sale, loss or destruction) and to keep records relating to CGT events, including asset disposals, for at least five years after the […]
ATO recommends updating ABN details
ATO recommends updating ABN details for disastrous reasons The ATO has provided a novel, though important, reason for businesses to update their ABN details: to help businesses to manage the coming disaster season. ABN details are used by emergency services and government agencies to help identify and contact businesses during times of emergency and potential […]
July 2019 ATO impersonation scam report
ATO impersonation scam update Unbelievably, scammers are still successfully bilking Australians out of tens of thousands of dollars, as a recent ATO scam report shows. According to the July 2019 ATO impersonation scam report: 6,179 online scam reports were received in the first month of their new online reporting form going live; 6,645 phone scam […]
The ATO hits the road
Could you be a black economy target? The ATO plans to visit almost 10,000 businesses this financial year in all States and Territories, across a variety of industries, as part of their strategy to deal with the black economy (they visited nearly 9,000 businesses in the 2018/19 financial year). According to Assistant Commissioner Peter Holt, […]
Transferred or newly registered vehicle data matching
Motor vehicle registries data matching program protocol The ATO will match the data provided by the State and Territory motor vehicle registering authorities against the ATO’s taxpayer records with the objective of identifying those who may not be meeting their registration, reporting, lodgment and payment obligations. Details will be requested where records indicate a vehicle […]
