ATO's new requirements for NFPs If you are involved with running a not for profit (NFP) organisation it is important to be aware of key obligations and requirements. In particular, if the NFP qualifies as a tax exempt entity there are some specific conditions that need to be satisfied and a relatively new ATO reporting [...]
From air fryers to swimwear: Tax deductions to avoid With the 2025 tax season fast approaching the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is reminding taxpayers to be careful when claiming work related expenses. This is in reaction to a spate of claims that didn’t quite pass the ‘pub test’. To give you a few examples of [...]
Labor’s victory: Unpacking the promises and priorities As the Labor party settle back into their seats having secured a majority in the House of Representatives, we look at the campaign promises and the unfinished business from the last term. Individuals Personal income tax cuts: the 2025-26 federal budget introduced a modest income tax cut for [...]
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 of these assets residential or commercial Australian property, you [...]
Budget 2024-25 The 2024-25 Federal Budget is the third for the Albanese Government and consistent with previous years, the primary themes are expected to be the cost of living and the economic shift to net zero. According to election guru Antony Green, the window for the next election starts on Saturday, 3 August 2024, “the [...]
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 [...]
How much is my business worth? For many small business owners, their business is their largest asset and for many, one that is expected to help fund their retirement. But what is your business really worth and what sets a high value business apart? Every business owner is naturally curious about just how much their [...]
Non-compete clauses and worker restraints under review A new issues paper from Treasury’s Competition Review questions whether non-competes and other restraints are limiting job opportunities and movement. A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey found that 46.9% of businesses surveyed used some kind of restraint clause, including for workers in non-executive roles. The [...]
Getting back what you put in: Loans to get a business started It’s not uncommon for business owners to pour their money into a business to get it up and running and to sustain it until it can survive on its own. A recent case highlights the dangers of taking money out of a company [...]
How to take advantage of the 1 July super cap increase From 1 July 2024, the amount you can contribute to super will increase. We show you how to take advantage of the change. The amount you can contribute to superannuation will increase on 1 July 2024 from $27,500 to $30,000 for concessional super contributions [...]