2023-24 Federal Budget Summary
Modest but meaningful A range of measures provide cost-of-living relief to individuals such as increased and expanded JobSeeker payments and better access to affordable housing. As part of the measures introduced for small business, a temporary $20,000 threshold for the small business instant asset write-off will apply for one year, following the end of the […]
Electric vehicle home charging rates: cents per km
Draft Guidelines on Calculating Electric Vehicle Charging Costs Released by ATO Recordkeeping Requirements and Application of the EV Home Charging Rate for FBT and Income Tax Purposes The ATO recently released draft guidelines setting out a methodology for calculating the cost of electricity when an electric vehicle (‘EV’) is charged at an employee’s or individual’s […]
Electric vehicle FBT exemption now law
Legislation to make certain electric vehicles exempt from FBT enacted into law Certain zero or low emissions vehicles provided as a car benefit on or after 1 July 2022, can be exempt from fringe benefits tax (FBT). For this exemption to apply various criteria need to be satisfied. The car needs to have been both […]
Improving payroll governance
Make sure you’re up to date on payroll compliance How employers can understand and meet their payroll obligations and some of the common issues seen by the ATO. How to meet your employer obligations The ATO wants to help you ensure your entity’s payroll governance measures are designed effectively and fit for purpose. This means […]
Christmas Parties and Gifts 2022
With the well-earned December/January holiday season on the way, many employers will be planning to reward staff with a celebratory party or event. However, there are important issues to consider, including the possible FBT and income tax implications of providing ‘entertainment’ (including Christmas parties) to staff and clients FBT and ‘entertainment’ Under the FBT Act, […]
2022-2023 Budget Measures that are now law
Low and Middle Income Tax Offset A measure that will no doubt be beneficial for individual taxpayers is the increase in the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (‘LMITO’) for the 2022 income year by $420. The LMITO is a tax offset that reduces an individual taxpayer’s tax liability. This means that the maximum amount […]
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 […]
Business tax update October 2021
Extending administrative relief for companies to use technology The Government has passed legislation renewing the temporary relief that allows companies to use technology to meet regulatory requirements under the Corporations Act 2001. These temporary relief measures will allow companies to hold virtual meetings and use electronic communications to send meeting materials and execute documents until […]
Fringe Benefits Tax exemption
New FBT retraining and reskilling exemption available Recent legislative amendments mean that employers who provide training or education to redundant (or soon to be redundant employees) may now be exempt from fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). The ATO has reminded eligible employers that they can apply the exemption to retraining and reskilling benefits provided on or […]
2020/21 Year-end Checklist for Business
Traditionally, year-end tax planning for small businesses is based around accelerating deductions and deferring income However, this year, consideration will also need to be given to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Small Business Entities (‘SBEs’) – i.e., those with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million – often have greater tax planning opportunities […]