News
News
What to know about disaster relief payments
June 14, 2024
Taxpayers should be aware that some natural disaster relief payments are not taxable. Businesses that have received a government support payment because of a natural disaster (such as a major weather event) should check if they need to include this as assessable income in their tax return before they lodge, although they may not need […]
Government warns of ‘malicious’ myGov scammers
June 14, 2024
The Government has urged Australians to be vigilant regarding scammers who target ATO log-in details to commit tax fraud. The ATO has received a large number of reports of scammers using fake myGov sites to steal myGov sign-in details that can be used to commit tax and refund fraud in other people's names. These criminals […]
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 […]