The assault on professional services

The Assault on Professional Services Practices

The assault on professional services The ATO has signalled that it is willing to pursue professional services firms who divert profits to avoid tax. Two new cases before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal demonstrate how serious the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is about making sure professional services firms – lawyers, accountants, architects, medical practices, engineers, architects
Read More…

April 2024 News Update

News Update April 2024

Click  here to view PDF: News Update April 2024 Warning on SMSF asset valuations The ATO has issued a warning to trustees of SMSFs about sloppy valuation practices. ATO data analysis has revealed that over 16,500 self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have reported assets as having the same value for three consecutive years. With many
Read More…

March 2024 News Update

March 2024 News Update

Click  here to view PDF: March 2024 News Update 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. Electric vehicles causing sparks In late 2022, the Government introduced a concession that enables employers to provide some electric vehicles
Read More…

The problem when the evidence doesn’t match what the taxpayer tells the ATO

The importance of evidence

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. In 2013,
Read More…

February 2024 News Update

February 2024 News Update

Click  here to view PDF: February 2024 News Update Stage 3 personal income tax cuts redesigned The personal income tax cuts legislated to commence on 1 July 2024 will be realigned and redistributed under a proposal released by the Federal Government. After much speculation, the Prime Minister has announced that the Government will amend the
Read More…

December 2023 News Update

December 2023 News Update

Click  here to view PDF: December 2023 News Update The controversial case of the taxpayer who claimed a loss on their home A decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has the tax world in a flurry after the Tribunal found in favour of a taxpayer who sold the apartment she lived in for a loss,
Read More…

30% tax on super earnings on balances above $3 million

TAX ON SUPER

30% tax on super earnings on balances above $3 million Treasury has released draft legislation for consultation to enact the Government’s plan to increase the tax rate on earnings on superannuation balances above $3m from 15% to 30% from 1 July 2025. This is the final step before the legislation is introduced into Parliament. From
Read More…