Feds crack down on tax fraud
ATO and AFP crackdown on GST-fraud promoters A raft of enforcement activity has been undertaken across the country by the ATO-led Serious Financial Crime Taskforce, including the execution of search warrants and issuing of warning letters. At 31 December 2022, the ATO took compliance action on more than 53,000 clients and stopped approximately $2.5 billion […]
Significant change to claiming working from home expenses
Be aware of updated rules when claiming working from home expenses Before 1 July 2022, an individual taxpayer that incurred additional deductible expenses as a result of working from home, had a choice of three methods to claim these expenses. These choices were: The shortcut method – which was available from 1 March 2020 to […]
Builder unable to obtain refund of incorrectly charged GST
Ruling by Administrative Appeals Tribunal impacts GST refund guidelines The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has held that a builder was unable to receive a refund of GST incorrectly charged on the sale of a residential premises that had been rented for just over five years since construction was complete. The taxpayer claimed the GST charged on […]
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 […]
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, […]
Talking tax with new workers
Completing a tax file number declaration The ATO is reminding employers that have taken on new employees that those employees can complete a TFN declaration through ATO online services, and that this is an easy way for them to provide both their employer and the ATO with the information needed. If a new employee has […]
2022/23 October Federal Budget
Federal Budget overview On 25 October 2022, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down an updated 2022/23 Federal Budget, the first for the Albanese Labor Government. Key measures Certainty for unlegislated taxation and superannuation measures Digital Currency – Clarifying that digital currencies are not taxed as foreign currency Depreciation – Reverse the self-assessment of the effective life […]
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 […]
More COVID-19 business grants are now tax-free
Federal Government expands tax-free status of more COVID-19 grant programs The Federal Government has expanded the list of State and Territory COVID-19 grant programs that may be tax-free to eligible businesses. A State or Territory Government COVID-19 grant payment will generally be tax-free if: the payment is received under a grant program that is formally […]
Decision in disclaiming interest in trust distribution
High Court rejects attempt to disclaim interest in trust distribution The High Court has rejected a taxpayer’s attempt to disclaim an interest in trust income that arose as a result of a default beneficiary clause being triggered. This decision is significant, because it backs the proposition that disclaimers of trust income cannot be effective if […]
