News

The ATO has recently published a document ‘debunking’ various Division 7A ‘myths’ Division 7A of the tax legislation is intended to prevent profits or assets being provided to shareholders or their associates tax free. A payment or other benefit provided by a private company to a shareholder or their associate can be treated as a dividend for income tax purposes

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If credit card surcharges are banned in other countries, why not Australia?  We look at the surcharge debate and the payment system complexity that has brought us to this point. In the United Kingdom, consumer credit and debit card surcharges have been banned since 2018. In Europe, all except American Express and Diners Club consumer surcharges are banned. And in

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“Succession planning, and the tax risks associated with it, is our number one focus in 2025. In recent years we’ve observed an increase in reorganisations that appear to be connected to succession planning.” ATO Private Wealth Deputy Commissioner Louise Clarke The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) thinks that wealthy babyboomer Australians, particularly those with successful family-controlled businesses, are planning and structuring

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All trustees of SMSFs with assets (including super contributions or any other investments) as at 30 June 2024 need to lodge an SMSF annual return (‘SAR’) for the 2023/24 financial year. The SAR is more than a tax return — it is required to report super regulatory information, member contributions, and pay the SMSF supervisory levy. However, not all SMSFs

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The indexation rate for study and training loans is now based on the Consumer Price Index (‘CPI’) or Wage Price Index — whichever is lower. This change has been backdated to indexation applied from 1 June 2023 for all HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan, and other study or training support loan accounts. Individuals who had a study

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The ATO will acquire rental bond data from State and Territory rental bond regulators bi-annually for the 2024 to 2026 income years, including details of the landlord and tenant, managing agent identification details, and rental bond transaction details. The ATO expects to collect data on approximately 2.2 million individuals each financial year. The objectives of this program are to (among

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We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our wonderful clients a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your continued support throughout 2024, we can’t wait to start 2025 with you. Our office will will closing for the Christmas break on Thursday 19 December 2024. Most of our staff will be reopening the office in the New Year

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With many businesses looking at Christmas parties, celebrations and gifts, now is a good time to look at what is tax deductible and what isn’t. Are the costs of client gifts deductible? What about gifts for your staff? Those client lunches or drinks, they’re a deductible expense right? Let’s see if we can answer some of these questions for you.

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There are very limited circumstances where taxpayers can legally access their super early, and the ATO is reminding taxpayers that “paying bills and buying Christmas presents doesn’t make the list.” Generally, taxayers can only access their super when they: reach preservation age and ‘retire’; or turn 65 (even if they are still working). To access their super legally before then,

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Employers are reminded that employee superannuation contributions for the quarter ending 31 December 2024 must be received by the relevant super funds by 28 January 2025.  If the correct amount of Superannuaion Guarantee (SG) is not paid by an employer on time, they will be liable to pay the SG charge, which includes a penalty and interest component. The SG

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