Tax Office clarifies Division 7A position

The ATO has clarified five common myths about Division 7A tax legislation.
What’s new on study and training loans

The indexation rate for study and training loans is now based on the Consumer Price Index (‘CPI’) or Wage Price Index — whichever is lower.
When to lodge SMSF annual returns

All trustees of SMSFs with assets as at 30 June 2024 need to lodge an SMSF annual return (‘SAR’) for the 2023/24 financial year.
Avoid a tax time shock
Smart Tax Planning: Key Steps to Stay on Top of Your Obligations Ensure you’re setting aside the right amount of tax by reviewing loans, insurance and income details—learn how proactive steps can save you from a surprise tax bill! Individual taxpayers can take the following steps right now to ensure the correct amount of tax […]
Receiving payments or assets from foreign trusts
Foreign Trust Payments: Potential Tax Liabilities for Beneficiaries Understanding When Foreign Trust Distributions Must Be Included in Assessable Income Additional tax liabilities may arise when money or assets of a foreign trust are paid to a taxpayer or applied for their benefit, and they are a beneficiary of the foreign trust. These can include: loans […]
Tax incentives for early stage investors
Tax Incentives for Investors in Early Stage Innovation Companies (ESIC) Potential Tax Offsets and Capital Gains Tax Benefits for Qualifying Shareholders The ATO is reminding investors who purchased new shares in a qualifying ‘early stage innovation company’ (‘ESIC’) that they may be eligible for tax incentives. These tax incentives provide eligible investors who purchase new […]
Family trust elections and interposed entity elections
Understanding Family Trust Distribution Tax Key Considerations for Trustees and Entities to Avoid 47% FTDT on Distributions Outside the Family Group. Family trust distribution tax (‘FTDT’) is a special, 47%, tax sometimes payable by a trustee, director or partner. It applies when a trust has made a family trust election (‘FTE’), or an entity has […]
Government warns of ‘malicious’ myGov scammers
Stay Alert to Protect Your ATO Log-In Details from Scammers Government Warns of Rising Tax Fraud via Fake myGov Sites and Urges Vigilance The Government has urged Australians to be vigilant regarding scammers who target ATO log-in details to commit tax fraud. The ATO has received a large number of reports of scammers using fake […]
Taxpayer unsuccessful in having excess contributions reallocated
AAT Decision on Excess Concessional Contributions Tax Taxpayer’s Liability Upheld for Contributions Exceeding Cap Despite Lack of Employer Agreement The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (‘AAT’) recently held that a taxpayer was liable to pay excess concessional contributions tax in relation to contributions made on his behalf by his employer. In the 2021 income year, the taxpayer’s […]
Avoiding common Division 7A errors
Navigating Division 7A: Ensuring Compliance with Private Company Obligations Guidelines for Business Owners to Manage Payments, Benefits, and Loans from Private Companies Private company clients who receive payments, benefits or loans from their private companies need to ensure compliance with their additional tax obligations (which are often referred to as their ‘Division 7A’ obligations). There […]