Foreign income reporting
ATO watching for foreign income The ATO is urging taxpayers who receive any foreign income from investments, family members or working overseas to make sure they report it this tax time. New international data sharing agreements allow the ATO to track money across borders and identify individuals not meeting their obligations. “This year, the ATO […]
“Outrageous” tax deductions rejected
Unusual tax claims disallowed The ATO has published some of the most unusual claims that they disallowed last financial year. Nearly 700,000 taxpayers claimed almost $2 billion of ‘other’ expenses, but the ATO’s systematic review of claims had found, and disallowed, some very unusual expenses, including: claims for Lego sets bought as gifts for children, […]
STP transition ended for large employers
STP transition year for large employers has ended Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting started for large employers (20 or more employees) from 1 July 2018. The 12 month transition period for large employers to start STP reporting ended on 30 June 2019. The ATO will contact large employers who have yet to start reporting through STP and […]
Tax housekeeping
Private health insurance statements now optional Taxpayers with private health insurance should be aware that insurance providers are no longer required to provide statements to their members. Taxpayers lodging their tax returns using a registered tax agent should have their health insurance details ‘pre-filled’ into their return (but they will need to contact their health […]
Dodgy car claims
ATO “puts the brakes” on dodgy car claims The ATO is making work-related car expenses a key focus again during Tax Time 2019. Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said over 3.6 million people made a work-related car expense claim in 2017/18, totalling more than $7.2 billion. “We are still concerned that some taxpayers aren’t getting the […]
Tax cuts become law
Immediate tax relief passed The Government has announced that more than 10 million Australians will receive immediate tax relief following the passage of legislation through the Parliament, which increases the top threshold for the 19% tax rate from $41,000 to $45,000 and increases the low-income tax offset from $645 to $700 in 2022/23. In combination […]
ATO targeting false laundry claims
ATO targeting false clothing and laundry work-related claims In 2018, around six million people claimed work-related clothing and laundry expenses totalling nearly $1.5 billion. Assistant Commissioner Karen Foat said although many Australians can claim clothing and laundry expenses, it’s unlikely that half of all taxpayers are required to wear uniforms, protective clothing or occupation-specific clothing […]
Rental property audits
Tax office to double audits of ‘dodgy’ rental deductions Rental property owners are being warned to ensure their claims are correct this tax time, as the ATO has announced it will double the number of audits scrutinising rental deductions, with a specific focus on: over-claimed interest; capital works claimed as repairs; incorrect apportionment of expenses for […]
Tax time tips for small business
Top 3 business tax return issues To lend a ‘helping hand’ to small businesses to get their tax right this tax time, the ATO has identified the top three issues for small businesses lodging their tax returns: Failing to report all of their income; Not having the necessary records to prove small business expenses claims; […]
Data matching cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency data matching program The ATO is collecting bulk records from Australian cryptocurrency designated service providers (‘DSPs’) as part of a data matching program to ensure people trading in cryptocurrency are paying the right amount of tax, and correctly meeting their tax (and superannuation) obligations. The ATO will collect data from cryptocurrency DSPs to identify […]
