Blog
Who is assessed on interest on bank accounts?
As a general proposition, for income tax purposes, interest income on a bank account is assessable to the account holders in proportion to their beneficial ownership of the money in the account. The ATO will assume, unless there is evidence to the contrary, that joint account holders benefici ..
2017/18 Federal Budget
The Government handed down the 2017/18 Federal Budget on Tuesday 9th May 2017. The Budget proposes several changes in the following areas; Personal Income Tax Measures Limiting plant and equipment depreciation deductions to outlays actually incurred by investors – for residential investmen ..
Increase to SBE Turnover Threshold
As was previously announced, the Small Business Entity (‘SBE’) definition has changed with respect to the turnover eligibility requirement. The aggregated turnover threshold has increased from $2 million to $10 million with effect from 1 July 2016 (i.e., the current, 2017, income year). ..
Reduction in FBT rate from 1 April 2017
In conjunction with the introduction of the temporary budget repair levy (of 2%, payable by high income earners), the FBT rate was also increased from 47% to 49% for the 2016 and 2017 FBT years. However, the FBT rate will revert back to 47% from 1 April 2017. This means there will be a dis ..
Making 'intangible' capital improvements to pre-CGT assets
The ATO has confirmed that, if intangible capital improvements are made to a pre-CGT asset, they can be a 'separate CGT asset' from that pre-CGT asset if the relevant requirements are satisfied. The result of this is that, while the disposal of the pre-CGT asset itself will be exempt from CGT, ..
Personal income tax cuts are law
The government has finally legislated the tax cuts originally announced in the May 2016 Budget, t he following are the rates for adult residents for the 2016/17 income year (i.e., from 1 July 2016). Taxable income Tax on this income 0 – $18,200 ..
GST on Low-Value Imports
Goods imported into Australia – often by consumers using the internet – which cost less than $1,000 are currently GST-free. On May 3 2016, as part of its package of Budget Night announcements, the Federal government proposed that, as of 1 July 2017, this low-value threshold (‘LVT’) of $1,000 wi ..
Deductibility of Gifts provided to Clients
The ATO has confirmed that a taxpayer carrying on business is generally entitled to a deduction for expenses incurred on a gift made to a former or current client, if the gift is characterised as being made for the purpose of producing future assessable income. However, the expense may not ..
ATO Exposes Dodgy Deductions
With over eight million Australians claiming work-related expenses each year, the ATO is reminding people to make sure they get their deductions right this tax time. Assistant Commissioner Graham Whyte said that, in 2014/15, the ATO conducted around 450,000 reviews and audits of individual tax ..
Tax implications for the sharing economy
The ATO is reminding taxpayers who earn income through the sharing economy that they have tax obligations they should consider. Examples of sharing economy services include: Ride-sourcing – providing taxi travel services to transport passengers for a fare Renting out a room or a whole house ..
Recent Posts
- ATO watching for foreign income this Tax Time
- "Outrageous" deductions rejected
- ATO guidance regarding incorrect ENCC determinations
- The ATO hits the road
- Motor vehicle registries data matching program protocol
- ATO guidance regarding 'downsizer contributions'
- ATO Updates
- Company loans to shareholders under review
- Scammers impersonating tax agents
- Expansion of the TPRS