ATO Targets
Small business owners. Rogue tax practitioners. Uninformed taxpayers. Rental property owners. Such taxpayers have long managed to avoid consequence for partially-correct tax returns. Finally, it seems the Australian government has acknowledged the extent to which individuals are undermining its principal revenue collection agency – the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Fresh off a funding windfall from the […]
Basics of Downsizing Contributions
The Federal Government recently announced that, as of 1 July 2018, downsizers aged 65 years or older may opt to contribute proceeds from the sale of their home (up to a total of $300,000 each) toward their super fund(s). Referred to as a downsizer contribution, it is treated as being non-concessional; existing in addition to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Complication of investments for children
It is a fairly well-established and welcome act for an aunt or uncle or of course a parent to start a savings account for a new addition to the next generation. It is not so common however, among the warm and generous emotions that accompany such a gift to factor in the taxation obligations that […]
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 […]
Dealing with a wind up notice
Wind-up notices are a type of statutory demand that’s typically served by creditors, including the ATO, to enforce the payment of debt by a business. The wind-up notice, usually made under section 459E of the Corporations Act (‘the Act’), requires a business to appear in court with its creditor to determine whether the business is […]