Banking business income to a private account
Recordkeeping and monitoring business cash flow The ATO has stated that it has “no concerns” with business owners banking their business takings or other sales in private accounts, but that this may become an issue when this income isn’t reported. Therefore, the ATO notes that a good way to avoid this problem is to establish […]
Rental properties and second-hand depreciating assets
Be aware of the tax rules surrounding ‘second-hand depreciating assets’ The ATO is reminding taxpayers that have a residential rental property, to take care when making claims for second-hand depreciating assets used in their properties. In most cases, these are items that existed in the taxpayer’s property when they purchased it, or were in their […]
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment reinstated
Pandemic Leave Disaster payment In recognition of the risks associated with more infectious new Covid-19 variants through the winter period, the Federal Government has agreed to reinstate the ‘Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment’ to 30 September 2022, which was otherwise set to end as of 30 June 2022. Eligibility for the payment will be backdated to […]
ATO to target ‘wash sales’ this Tax Time
Wash sales are a form of tax avoidance that the ATO is focused on this tax time The ATO is warning taxpayers to not engage in ‘asset wash sales’ to artificially increase their losses to reduce gains (or expected gains). Definition Wash sales typically involve the disposal of assets (e.g. cryptocurrency and shares) just before […]
ATO targeting SMSFs
ATO targeting SMSFs that fail to lodge annual returns The ATO has observed an increase in the number of SMSFs that fail to lodge their first annual return and become what the ATO refers to as ‘NEVER’ lodgers. The ATO is particularly concerned where there has been a roll-over into these SMSFs, as this is […]
ATO small business focus
ATO’s small business focus for 2022 income year The ATO announced that it will be focussing on the following matters for small business tax returns for the 2021/22 year: Deductions that are private in nature and not related to business income, as well as overclaiming of business expenses (especially for taxpayers running a home-based business). […]
2021/22 Individual Tax Return Checklist
Tax saving strategies prior to 1 July 2022 Your Checklist Claims for deductions Receipts for deductions Car claims and log books Please review the information below and contact our office if you need assistance. A strategy often used to reduce taxable income (and, in turn, tax payable) in an income year is to bring forward […]
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 […]
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 […]
Common business errors at tax time
Avoiding small business tax time errors The most common errors small businesses make when completing their tax returns are failing to: declare all income account for private use of business funds or assets keep all required records or have adequate record-keeping systems. To avoid making errors this tax time, first ask yourself if you have: […]
