ATO business support
ATO support for businesses in difficult times The ATO has reminded taxpayers that it has a range of support available for small businesses experiencing difficult situations, such as natural disasters, mental health challenges or financial hardship. Depending on the business taxpayer’s circumstances, the ATO may be able to: give the business extra time to pay […]
Payroll matters February 2022
Higher PAYG withholding rates continue to apply to backpackers As we recently communicated, the High Court has held that the ‘working holiday maker tax’ (also known as the ‘backpackers tax’) did not apply to a taxpayer on a working holiday visa from The United Kingdom who was also an Australian tax resident. This was due […]
COVID-19 vaccination incentives and rewards
FBT consequences of providing non-cash benefits The ATO has reminded employers to consider their tax and super obligations when employees are provided with incentives or rewards for getting their COVID-19 vaccination. When employees are provided a cash payment, including paid leave for employees to get their COVID-19 vaccination (or additional paid leave to recover from […]
‘Backpacker tax’ may not apply to some backpackers
Working holiday maker tax ruling Employers should be aware of the application of the Double Tax Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom. The High Court has held that the ‘working holiday maker tax’ (also known as the ‘backpackers tax’) did not apply to a taxpayer on a working holiday visa from the United Kingdom […]
ABN ‘intent to cancel’ program
The ATO is cracking down on inactive ABNs The ATO is reviewing Australian business numbers (‘ABNs’) to identify potentially inactive ABNs for cancellation It has introduced a new automated process to allow taxpayers (or their tax agents) to confirm if their ABN is still required via a secure voice response system. An ABN may be […]
Managing business cash flow
The ATO has issued a reminder to businesses It asserts that paying regular attention to record-keeping and reporting tasks will help firms better manage their cash flow and allow them to plan for the future. The best way to make sure a business has enough cash available to meet its tax and other obligations is […]
Data matching update
AUSTRAC transaction report information data-matching program The ATO will acquire transaction report information data from AUSTRAC for the period of 17 June 2021 through to 30 June 2027. AUSTRAC (the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) is the Australian Government agency responsible for “detecting, deterring and disrupting criminal abuse of the financial system to protect […]
Varying PAYG instalments due to COVID-19
Pay as you go (‘PAYG’) instalments Taxpayers can vary their pay as you go (‘PAYG’) instalments throughout the year if they think they will pay too much, compared with their estimated tax for the year. To assist taxpayers who continue to be affected by COVID-19, the ATO has stated that it will not apply penalties […]
Documenting gifts or loans from related overseas entities
Disguising undeclared foreign income as a gift or loan The ATO is currently reviewing certain arrangements where Australian taxpayers seek to disguise undeclared foreign income as a gift or loan. Genuine gifts or loans received from related overseas entities (including family members and friends) are sometimes used to fund businesses or to acquire income-producing assets. […]
Reminder for first-time share investors to declare income
Exchange Traded Funds (‘ETF’) investors With the growth of micro-investment platforms helping new investors enter the market, the ATO has issued a reminder for first-time share and Exchange Traded Funds (‘ETF’) investors. The ATO is concerned that first-time investors often do not understand their tax obligations in relation to reporting capital gains from the sale […]
