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Taxation

Your essential EOFY guide

Your essential EOFY guide

The end of the financial year is fast approaching. We outline the areas at risk of increased ATO scrutiny and the opportunities to maximise your deductions.

The Fringe Benefit Tax traps

The Fringe Benefit Tax traps

The Fringe Benefits Tax year (FBT) ends on 31 March. We explore the problem areas likely to attract the ATO’s attention.

The ATO Debt Dilemma

The ATO Debt Dilemma

Late last year, thousands of taxpayers and their agents were advised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that they had an outstanding historical tax debt. The only problem was, many had no idea that the tax debt existed.

The Problem When the Evidence Doesn't Match What The Taxpayer Tells the ATO

The Problem When the Evidence Doesn't Match What The Taxpayer Tells the ATO

A recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) highlights the importance of ensuring that the evidence supports the tax position you are taking.

The case involves heritage farmland originally purchased for $1.6m that sold 7 years later for $4.25m and the GST debt that the ATO is now pursuing on the sale.

The Redesign of Stage 3 Personal Income Tax Cuts

The Redesign of Stage 3 Personal Income Tax Cuts

After much speculation, the Prime Minister has announced that the Government will amend the legislated Stage 3 tax cuts scheduled to commence on 1 July 2024. Relative to the current Stage 3 plan, the proposed redesign will broaden the benefits of the tax cut by focussing on individuals with taxable income below $150,000

The tax implications of small-scale subdivisions

The tax implications of small-scale subdivisions

You’ve got a block of land that’s perfect for a subdivision. The details have all been worked out with Council, the builders, and the bank. But, one important aspect has been left out; the tax implications.

Why is my tax refund so small?

Why is my tax refund so small?

There is a psychology to tax refunds that successive Governments have been reticent to tamper with. As a nation, Australia relies heavily on personal and corporate income tax, with personal income tax including taxes on capital gains representing 40% of revenue compared to the OECD average of 24%. And, for the amount we pay, we expect a reward.

ATO looking at deductions for your holiday home

ATO looking at deductions for your holiday home

The ATO is more than a little concerned that people with holiday homes are claiming more deductions than they should and have published the starting questions they will be asking to scrutinise claims:

Working from home...what's the deal?

Working from home...what's the deal?

The ATO has ‘refreshed’ the way you can claim deductions for the costs you incur when you work from home. From 1 July 2022 onwards, you can choose either to use a new ‘fixed rate’ method (67 cents per hour), or the ‘actual cost’ method depending on what works out best for your scenario. Either way, you will need to gather and retain certain records to make a claim.

Fuel tax credit changes

Fuel tax credit changes

The Government temporarily halved the excise and excise equivalent customs duty rates for petrol, diesel and all other petroleum-based products (except aviation fuels) for 6 months from 30 March 2022 until 28 September 2022. This has caused a reduction in fuel tax credit rates.

A 120% tax deduction for skills training?

A 120% tax deduction for skills training?

It’s a great headline isn’t it? Spend $100 and get a $120 tax deduction. Days after the Federal Budget announcement that businesses will be able to claim a 120% deduction for expenditure on training and technology costs, we started receiving marketing emails encouraging us to spend now to access the deduction.

Victorian State Government Small Business Assistance

Victorian State Government Small Business Assistance

The Victorian State Government Small Business COVID hardship fund offers $10,000 to eligible and medium businesses, including employing and non employing businesses and had been introduced to allow more businesses who had not previously received some of the Victorian Government grant programs announced from the 27 May 2021. Applications are open from Thursday 12 August 2021 until program funds are exhausted or 11:59pm on Friday 10 September 2021, whichever is earlier.