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 […]

Ride-Share Income

Have you or someone you know considered taking up ride-sharing (also called ride-sourcing) to earn extra income, or even as an alternative form of employment? When providing ride-sharing services through Uber or GoCatch and other facilitators for a fare, there are things you will need to know, and traps you need to be aware of. […]

Simple Div 7A

If you have a company, then you have probably sat in a meeting with your accountant and heard the phrase ‘that may raise Division 7A issues’. Everyone usually then grumbles and nods wisely, and moves on… But you may be asking yourself, what is Division 7A? Glad you asked. In short, Division 7A is relevant […]

Do you have a Div 7A obligation?

Have you paid private bills from your company account? Do you owe money to your company? If you answered yes to any of the above questions then should understand how Division 7A (or “Div 7A”) works and how it affects you. When is a Div 7A loan triggered?  It is usually triggered when a payment […]