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ATO

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.

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:

Why are some businesses returning JobKeeper to the ATO?

Why are some businesses returning JobKeeper to the ATO?

Super Retail Group - owner of the Supercheap Auto, Rebel, BCF and Macpac brands - handed back $1.7 million in JobKeeper payments in January after releasing a trading update showing sales growth of 23% to December 2020. Toyota announced that it will return $18 million in JobKeeper payments after a record fourth quarter. And, Domino’s Pizza has also handed back $792,000 of JobKeeper payments.

The clawback on JobKeeper begins

The clawback on JobKeeper begins

At the recent Senate Estimates hearing, Jeremy Hirschhorn, the ATO’s Second Commissioner, stated that $120 million in JobKeeper payments had been clawed back from those either deliberately seeking to rort the system or who had made reckless mistakes

Let's talk about the ATO's JobKeeper audit targets

Let's talk about the ATO's JobKeeper audit targets

The JobKeeper subsidy has progressed beyond the rush for eligibility and entered its second phase: compliance. Late last month, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released guidance highlighting where the regulator will focus its compliance resources.

Working from home – The ATO shortcut method and what is best for you

Working from home – The ATO shortcut method and what is best for you

Last week the ATO announced a temporary simplified ‘short cut’ method aimed to make it easier for individual taxpayers to claim tax deductions for additional expenses incurred as a result of working from home due to the current pandemic – Covid-19 or Coronavirus.

ATO introduces MyGov ID

ATO introduces MyGov ID

For those of you not are not aware, the ATO have set up a new way of accessing their online services called MyGov ID

The Stimulus Package: What You Need To Know

The Stimulus Package: What You Need To Know

The Government has announced a $17.6 billion investment package to support the economy as we brace for the impact of the coronavirus.

The yet to be legislated four part package focuses on business investment, sustaining employers and driving cash into the economy.

ATO targets 'lifestyle' assets

ATO targets 'lifestyle' assets

The ATO has requested insurance policy information from 30 insurers for lifestyle assets such as yachts, thoroughbred horses, and fine arts.

Can the tax office take money out of your account? Your right to know

Can the tax office take money out of your account? Your right to know

You might have seen the recent spate of media freedom advertisements as part of the Your Right to Know campaign. The prime-time advertising states that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) can take money from your account without you knowing. The question is, do you really know what powers the ATO have?

ATO take the 'gloves off' on overseas income

ATO take the 'gloves off' on overseas income

Five years ago, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offered a penalty amnesty on undisclosed foreign income. Five years on, the ATO has again flagged that underreporting of foreign income is an issue but this time the gloves are off.

Weirdest tax deductions revealed

Weirdest tax deductions revealed

Would you claim the Lego you bought for your kids throughout the year as a tax deduction? One taxpayer did and it made the Australian Taxation Office’s 2018-19 list of most unusual claims.

Confusion over personal income tax changes – what are you really entitled to?

Confusion over personal income tax changes – what are you really entitled to?

The recent income tax cuts that passed through Parliament do not mean everyone automatically gets $1,080 back from the Government as soon as they lodge their income tax return. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has been inundated with calls from taxpayers wanting to know where their money is and how they can access the $1,080 they now believe is owing to them.

Are you ready for the end of financial year?

Are you ready for the end of financial year?

The end of financial year is upon us again (yep sneaks up doesn’t it!). Are you ready? Have you considered what you can do to maximise your opportunities at this time of the year? There are many ways to take advantage of tax planning initiatives to manage taxable income.

ATO doubles rental deduction audits

ATO doubles rental deduction audits

In the 2017-18 financial year, more than 2.2 million Australians claimed over $47 billon in deductions and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) thinks that is too much - one in ten is estimated to contain errors.