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 ATO can only release a taxpayer from a tax debt in limited [...]
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 to employees without incurring the 47% fringe benefits tax [...]
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 [...]
Tax on super balances above $3m hits Parliament Legislation enabling an extra 15% tax on earnings on super balances above $3m is before Parliament. While not a concern for the average worker, if enacted, those with significant property or other illiquid assets in their superannuation fund are most at risk, for example farmers and business [...]
Bah humbug: The Christmas tax dilemma Don’t want to pay tax on Christmas? Here are our top tips to avoid giving the Australian Tax Office a bonus this festive season. 1. Keep team gifts spontaneous $300 is the minor benefit threshold for FBT so anything at or above this level will mean that your Christmas [...]
Warning: Redrawing investment loans The ATO estimates that incorrect reporting of rental property income and expenses is costing around $1 billion each year in forgone tax revenue. A big part of the problem is how taxpayers are claiming interest on their investment property loans. We’ve seen an uptick in ATO activity focussing on refinanced or [...]
When is food GST-free? Chobani plain yoghurt is GST-free but Chobani’s ‘flip’ range is taxable? A recent case before the AAT demonstrates how fine the dividing line is between GST-free and taxable foods. Back in 2000 when the Goods & Services Tax (GST) was first introduced, basic food was excluded to secure the support of [...]
When trust distributions to a company are left unpaid What happens when a trust appoints income to a private company beneficiary but does not actually make the payment? The tax treatment of this unpaid amount was at the centre of a recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) that saw a taxpayer successfully challenge [...]
Self-education: What can you claim? The Australian Taxation Office have released a new draft ruling on self-education expenses. We revisit the deductibility of self-education expenses and what you can and can’t claim. If you undertake study that is connected to your work you can normally claim your costs of that study as a tax deduction [...]
The case of the taxpayer who was paid too late What a difference timing makes. A recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) is a reminder about the tax impact of the timing of employment income. In this case, the taxpayer was a non-resident working in Kuwait. As part of his work, he was [...]