Trust Tax Losses
Australian trust loss rules are complex, poorly understood and onerous to apply. As a result, business or investment trusts risk claiming losses incorrectly, a situation that can result in a significant tax liability. By making a family trust election (FTE), small to medium sized privately-held businesses operating as a trust can satisfy the trust loss […]
Corporate Tax Losses
Do you pass the ‘continuity of ownership’ (COT) test? If your company has past tax losses that haven’t been used as a tax deduction, this tip is for you… Check the conditions under which a company’s past losses may be claimed as tax deductions. The benefits may include significant reductions in corporate tax payable. Owners […]
Mitigating penalties on Div 7A
Introduced almost 19 years ago, Division 7A and its various exemptions apply to all private companies, their shareholders and shareholder associates across the country. While I consider this matter an Accounting & Tax 101 function, I regularly see it applied incorrectly which is concerning when you consider the significant tax penalties it can bring. Good […]
DIVISION 7A – No obligation to repay principal on sub-trust loan
Practical Compliance Guideline (PCG) 2017/13 has been released by the ATO to deal with Division 7A UPEs under sub-trust loans which are likely to mature in the coming year. The PCG enables the conversion of a “7-year option 1 investment” sub-trust arrangement (Option 1 Loan) into a compliant loan, pursuant to section 109N of the Income Tax […]
GST on Amazon Fees
Amazon has just announced that it will charge 10% GST on Selling on Amazon fees from 1 July 2017 for Australian based Amazon sellers unless they are registered for GST. So What Does This Mean? You will have to provide your ABN (Australian Business Number) to Amazon, and You will have to register with the Australian Taxation Office for GST […]
Div 7A Traps
Division 7A Traps – Loan Repayments that are NOT Loan Repayments! Division 7A (or Div 7A for short!) is an anti-avoidance measure designed to prevent private companies from making tax-free distributions of profits to shareholders or to their associates in the form of payments, loans, forgiven debts or via the use of private company assets. […]
Long service leave for construction workers
Long service leave is an employee entitlement received after an employee works for the same employer for a long period of time. Once an employee completes ten years of service, they are entitled to two months of paid leave. As it is unusual for an employee in the building & construction industry to work for […]
Tax of lease incentives
The income tax implications of property lease incentives Lease incentives are commonly used by landlords to entice tenants to enter into a lease. The most common type of lease incentive relates to new tenancies in commercial buildings. These inducements can take many forms, including upfront cash payments, non-cash items such as motor vehicles or boats, […]
Basics of an Employment Termination Payment (ETP)
The taxation of employment termination payments An employment termination payment (ETP) is generally a lump sum amount paid to an employee upon termination of their employment.Depending on the type of ETP, the employee’s age and years of service, the amount may be taxed in a number of different ways. An ETP may comprise of a […]
Using your stock personally
The ATO knows that many business owners naturally help themselves to their trading stock and use it for their own purposes. This common practice can occur in businesses such as butchers, bakers, corner stores, cafes and more. It regularly issues guidance for business owners on the value it expects will be allocated to goods taken […]
