(22/03/2019) Many homeowners are not aware that the “main residence” rules exempting the family home from capital gains tax (CGT) are in fact quite complex and contain many traps. Here we highlight three common scenarios in which a homeowner may face some CGT liability when it is time to sell. 1.Using your home to generate […]
(15/02/2019) The government plans to give companies greater access to prior year tax losses in a bid to stimulate business innovation. A new alternative to the “same business test” – the “similar business test” – will make it easier for companies that have experienced a significant change in ownership or control to carry forward their […]
(18/01/2019) The government is simplifying the Division 7A rules that govern deemed dividends, proposing a new 10-year loan model for compliant loans to start 1 July 2019. Significantly, companies with existing loans would be forced to transition to the new model, which also includes a considerably higher benchmark interest rate. Division 7A is a long-standing […]
(11/01/2019) The government has created a new opportunity for some recent retirees to make additional superannuation contributions. From 1 July 2019, a 12-month exemption from the “work test” for newly retired individuals aged between 65 and 74 years with a total superannuation balance below $300,000 means many older Australians will now have an extra year […]
(14/12/2018) The ATO has begun issuing determinations for individuals who exceeded their concessional super contributions cap in 2017-18. Concessional contributions include all employer contributions, such as the 9.5% superannuation guarantee and salary sacrifice contributions, and personal contributions for which a deduction has been claimed. A higher volume of excess concessional contributions (ECC) determinations will be […]
(01/03/2019) The ATO has recently warned taxpayers to be alert to malicious scammers who are using increasingly sophisticated methods and technology to impersonate the ATO. A new tactic on the rise involves “spoofing”, whereby scammers mimic a legitimate ATO phone number visible on caller ID to call or send SMS messages to taxpayers, or mimic […]
(11/01/2019) Combating the black economy has been a key priority of the government in recent years. To reduce business activity that takes place “under the radar” of the tax system, new laws commencing on 1 July 2019 will prevent businesses from claiming deductions for payments to employees and certain contractors if they fail to comply […]
(14/12/2018) Do you run a business that would like to bid on Commonwealth government contracts or is likely to do so in the future? From 1 July 2019, the government is seeking to exclude from the tender process those businesses that do not have a “satisfactory tax record (STR)”. The initiative would apply to all […]
(01/02/2019) If you are an employee and you sometimes work from home, you may be able to claim deductions for some of the expenses you incur, provided you are not reimbursed by your employer. Here, we consider two common types of expenses that employees may claim and how you must substantiate your deductions. Running expenses […]
(07/12/2018) In an effort to assist women experiencing family and domestic violence, the government has proposed to extend the ability to access early release superannuation based on feedback from the wider community. Currently, the early release of superannuation can only be provided in limited circumstances such as terminal illness and severe financial hardship. It is […]
