News
Earning income for personal effort
April 17, 2024
Taxpayers should remember that, if over half their income is from a contract for their personal effort or skills, then their income is classified as personal services income ('PSI'). Taxpayers can receive PSI in almost any industry, trade or profession, e.g., as a financial professional, IT consultant, construction worker or medical practitioner. Taxpayers who earn […]
Quarterly TBAR lodgement reminder
April 17, 2024
SMSFs must report certain events that affect any member's transfer balance account ('TBA') quarterly using transfer balance account reporting ('TBAR'). These events must be reported even if the member's total superannuation balance is less than $1 million. SMSF trustees must report and lodge within 28 days after the end of the quarter in which the […]
Using the ATO’s small business benchmarks
April 17, 2024
The ATO has updated its small business benchmarks for 2021-22. These benchmarks help taxpayers compare their business turnover and expenses with other small businesses in the same industry. Taxpayers can access the benchmarks on the ATO's website, and then calculate their benchmark using the ATO app 'Business performance check' tool. For example, consider Deb who […]
Reminder of March 2024 Quarter Superannuation Guarantee (‘SG’)
April 17, 2024
Employers are reminded that employee super contributions for the 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 quarter must be received by the relevant super funds by 28 April 2024 (which is a Sunday), in order to avoid being liable to pay the SG charge.
How to claim working from home expenses
April 17, 2024
Taxpayers who have been working from home this financial year, and who consequently incurred work-related expenses, have two ways to calculate their work from home deduction: the actual cost method; or the fixed rate method. Using the fixed rate method, taxpayers can claim a rate of 67 cents per hour worked at home. This amount […]
Avoiding common Division 7A errors
March 15, 2024
Private company clients who receive payments, benefits or loans from their private companies need to ensure compliance with their additional tax obligations (which are often referred to as their 'Division 7A' obligations). There are multiple ways in which business owners may access private company money, such as through salary and wages, dividends, or what are […]
Penalties soon to apply for overdue TPARs
March 15, 2024
Businesses that pay contractors to provide certain services may need to lodge a Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) by 28 August each year. From 22 March, the ATO will apply penalties to businesses that: have not lodged their TPAR from 2023 or previous income years; have received three reminder […]
Jail sentence for fraudulent developer
March 15, 2024
A developer who conspired to lodge fraudulent business activity statements has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail with a non-parole period of six years and eight months. The developer was involved with two companies that formed part of a group known as the 'Hightrade Group' which developed properties such as a hotel […]
FBT time is fast approaching!
March 15, 2024
Please be reminded that 'FBT time' is just around the corner, employer's need to stay on top of their fringe benefits tax (FBT) obligations. Employers need to ensure they have attended to the following matters this FBT time: Identify if they have an FBT liability regarding fringe benefits they have provided to their employees or […]