Tax Office clarifies Division 7A position

The ATO has clarified five common myths about Division 7A tax legislation.
Taxpayer claims for various ‘home business’ expenses rejected
Taxpayer’s $40,000 Deduction Claims Rejected by Tribunal Unsubstantiated and Private Expenses Lead to Full Denial of Tax Deductions In a recent decision, the AAT rejected in full a taxpayer’s claims for “several classes or categories of deductions.” For the relevant period of 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, the taxpayer was (according to his […]
ATO reminder about family trust elections

Family Trust Elections: Key Considerations for Trustees Understand the Benefits, Risks, and Family Group Implications to Avoid Costly Taxes Taxpayers may be considering whether they should make a family trust election (‘FTE’) for a trust, or an interposed entity election (‘IEE’) for a trust or other entity. Making an FTE provides access to certain tax […]
AAT rejects taxpayer’s claims for work-related expenses
Work-Related Deductions Denied AAT Rejects Taxpayer’s Expense Claims Lack of evidence and use of company vehicles led the AAT to disallow nearly $10,000 in work-related deductions for a traffic controller. In a recent decision, a taxpayer’s claims for various work-related expenses were rejected by the AAT. The taxpayer was employed as a traffic controller in […]
ATO security safeguards for victims of fraud recently enhanced
Enhanced Security Measures for Victims of Identity and Tax Fraud Taxpayers affected by fraud can now set up Strong online access for easier, secure use of ATO services—learn how to protect your account long-term Where a taxpayer has been the victim of identity, tax or super fraud, the ATO may apply security safeguards to their […]
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 […]
Storing correct records for work-related expenses
Work-Related Deductions: What You Need for the New Financial Year Understanding Record-Keeping and Methods for Claiming Working from Home Expenses Taxpayers need to consider what work-related expenses they will be looking to claim in the new financial year, and what records they will need to substantiate those deductions. Records can be kept as a paper […]
Taxpayers can start lodging their tax returns
Streamlined Tax Lodgment: ATO Pre-Filled Data Simplifies the Process Ensure Accurate Deduction Claims and Stay Informed of Changing Rules With millions of pieces of information now pre-filled (including information from most banks, employers, government agencies and private health insurers), the ATO is giving taxpayers with simple affairs the ‘green light’ to lodge their tax returns. […]
ATO may cancel inactive ABNs
ATO’s Review of Inactive ABNs Ensuring Continued Eligibility and Steps to Reapply if Your ABN is Cancelled The ATO regularly reviews, and sometimes cancels inactive Australian Business Numbers (‘ABNs’). The ATO may review a taxpayer’s ABN if the taxpayer has not reported business activity in their tax return, or there are no signs of business […]
Navigating the Main Residence Exemption
ATO ‘main residence exemption tips’ Key Considerations for Taxpayers When Selling a Home The main residence exemption needs to be considered in a variety of situations when a taxpayer sells a property they have lived in. The ATO hopes that the following tips will help in this regard: Taxpayers should consider if they have started […]