Deductibility of work-related expenses
Employer’s requirements and the deductibility of WREs Some employees may wonder whether a work-related expense (WRE) becomes deductible merely because their employer specifically requires the employee to incur the expense. Importantly, the ATO’s recent draft ruling on the deductibility of work-related expenses reiterates that an employer’s requirements do not determine the question of deductibility. Specifically, […]
Shortcut method for claiming home office running costs
ATO announces shortcut method for claiming home office running costs The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced a temporary simplified short cut method to make it easier for individual taxpayers to claim deductions for additional running expenses incurred as a result of working from home due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Based on the announcement, the […]
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 […]
Business Focus on Real Estate Agencies
What the changing business landscape means for real estate It’s a fact that our business environment is changing significantly, and the real estate sector is no exception. Pick up any newspaper and you’ll read headlines like, “Basically the minimum wage: What real estate agents really earn”, “King Kong Signs Real Estate Disrupter Purplebricks”, or “Why real estate agents suffer […]
Chief Financial Officer Program
Stressed by a lack of accurate financial information? Predicting the financial future of your business is not easy. Most businesses understand the need to price their products or services so they cover costs and make a profit. Understanding your business’s fixed and variable expenses is the first step in performing a break-even analysis. What sets […]
Legal practice management case study
Boutique law firm benefits from Omnis advice Perth’s Glen McLeod Legal is a planning and environmental law practice that provides authoritative and strategic advice and conducts significant litigation for clients in the Supreme Court, Magistrates Court, State Administrative Tribunal and commercial arbitration. Their highly specialised team provides legal advice on planning and environmental law, in […]
Claims for home office expenses
Claims for home office expenses increased The ATO has updated the hourly rate taxpayers can use to determine deductions for home office expenses from 45 cents to 52 cents per hour for individual taxpayers, effective 1 July 2018 (i.e. from the 2019 income year). According to the ATO’s recently updated PS LA 2001/6, individual taxpayers […]
Home office expenses
Expenses you can claim If you’re an employee who regularly works from home, you may be able to claim a deduction for expenses relating to that work. These are generally home office running expenses, and phone and internet expenses. In limited circumstances you may also be able to claim occupancy expenses. One such circumstance is […]
Home office expense claims
Increased scrutiny of home office claims Last year, 6.7 million taxpayers claimed a record $7.9 billion in deductions for ‘other work-related expenses’, which includes home office expenses. Reportedly, due to a high number of mistakes, errors and questionable claims for home office expenses, the ATO has recently advised that it will be increasing attention, scrutiny […]
Tax myths busted!
Tax season is underway To help Australians get their returns right, the ATO has identified the top 10 tax myths and misunderstandings it says are causing incorrect claims. Assistant Commissioner Kath Anderson says unreliable tax advice is leaving taxpayers exposed. Top of the list is the myth that everyone is entitled to claim a “standard deduction” […]
