Businesses

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Lower company tax rate From 1 July 2016, the income tax rate applicable to qualifying companies has reduced to 27.5%. For the year ending 30 June 2019, this lower tax rate now applies for companies with aggregated turnover of up to $50 million, as long as they satisfy the “passive income test”. Small business restructure rollover […]

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Individuals

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Deduct work-related expenses People overclaiming deductions for work-related expenses like vehicles, travel, internet and mobile phones and self-education are on the ATO’s hitlist again this year. There are three main rules when it comes to work-related claims: You can only claim a deduction for money you have actually spent (and that your employer hasn’t reimbursed). […]

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Tax relief for individuals and small businesses

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Instant asset write-off The instant asset write-off threshold for small businesses has been increased to $30,000 and extended to 30 June 2020. And from 2 April 2019, the instant asset write-off has also been expanded to include businesses with a turnover from $10 million to less than $50 million. If you purchase an asset (new or secondhand) costing less […]

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Tax planning

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With the end of the 2019 income tax year upon us, this issue draws attention to year-end tax planning strategies and compliance matters that you need to consider to ensure good tax health. It focuses on the most important issues for small to medium businesses and individuals to consider. TIP: This is general information, but […]

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ATO reminds SMEs about paying super for backpackers

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The ATO has reminded businesses that employ backpackers that they may need to pay superannuation guarantee (SG) for them. Backpackers on working holidays are considered temporary residents, and are entitled to superannuation guarantee if they are paid $450 or more before tax in a calendar month. Once they leave Australia, they can claim the super […]

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Protecting Your Super – how new law may affect SMSFs

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The Treasury Laws Amendment (Protecting Your Superannuation Package) Act 2019 introduces a number of reforms to protect individual’s super savings from undue erosion by fees and unnecessary insurance. The ATO says it will now be able to proactively consolidate eligible unclaimed super money into eligible active super accounts, including SMSFs and small APRA funds, if […]

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Super death benefit for de facto partner upheld

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The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal against a decision to pay a superannuation death benefit pension to a fire fighter’s de facto partner instead of a lump sum to his estate in Howard v Batistich [2019] FCA 525. The trustee of the Crown Employees Superannuation Fund determined that the respondent, Ms Batistich, was a […]

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Ombudsman calls on ATO to cease small business recovery action where tax disputes are before AAT

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The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has issued a report into the ATO’s enforcement of debt recovery. In a press release, the ASBFEO called for the ATO to immediately cease debt recovery action where tax disputes were before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The report contains three key conclusions and seven recommendations. […]

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STP exemptions and deferrals – ATO reminders

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With reported unpreparedness for Single Touch Payroll (STP), mainly among small businesses, and with employers having less than 19 employees needing to report their employees’ tax and super information through STP from 1 July 2019, the ATO has reminded businesses about the STP exemptions and deferrals that are available. There are exemptions for reporting through […]

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Requirement registered to lodge 2019 tax and other returns

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The Notice of Requirement to Lodge a Return for Income Year Ended 30 June 2019 has been registered. This covers income tax returns and other lodgments for franking account returns, including special rules for late balancing corporate tax entities that elect to use 30 June as a basis for determining their franking deficit tax liability; […]

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