A key feature of discretionary trusts is the ability to distribute income on a “discretionary” basis, which means no beneficiary has a particular entitlement to any income or capital assets in the trust and the trustees can make distributions at their discretion. Importantly, distributions are generally taxed at the individual marginal tax rate of the beneficiaries, […]
IN BRIEF ATO Second Commissioner Andrew Mills says the ATO has listened to criticisms and is promoting a “culture of fairness” in how it deals with taxpayers, especially SMEs. The recently implemented Independent Review for Small Business allows small business owners who have been audited by the ATO to ask for a review of the […]
Many superannuation members are surprised – and sometimes frustrated – to learn that Australia’s superannuation system places tight restrictions on who can make contributions after age 65. Generally, individuals aged between 65 and 74 years must satisfy a “work test” in order to make: non-concessional contributions (i.e. personal contributions for which the member does not claim […]
Division 7A is a long-standing tax integrity measure that treats certain payments by private companies to shareholders or their associates as unfranked “dividends” for tax purposes. Those deemed dividends are then assessable income of the recipient and taxed at the recipient’s marginal tax rate. Current laws include an important exception to these rules: a payment is […]
The government is getting tough on employers who fail to make compulsory superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions. A host of measures are being implemented, ranging from improved reporting systems through to proposed employer penalties of up to 12 months’ imprisonment. Here, we examine two particular initiatives that will require some businesses to take action in the next […]
Tax clinic trial to reduce tax regulatory burden To help reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, including the tax burden, Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert has announced that the Federal Government has allocated $1 million to set up 10 tax clinics under a trial program based on the Curtin University Tax Clinic. Each clinic will receive […]
Tax clinic trial to reduce tax regulatory burden To help reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, including the tax burden, the government has allocated $1 million to set up 10 tax clinics across Australia under a trial program based on the Curtin University Tax Clinic. Each clinic will receive up to $100,000 for 12 months […]
ATO assistant commissioner Karen Foat said the agency has been following the development of a new scam that sends SMS messages under the guise of a phone number that appears to be sent from the tax office. The tactic, known as “spoofing”, is a common technique used by scammers in an attempt to make their […]
The government has increased the threshold for the instant asset write-off to $25,000 as it looks to entice the small business sector ahead of a federal election. Announced yesterday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged to increase the small business instant asset write-off to $25,000 from $20,000. The write-off will be available for small business […]
With greater numbers of clients now eligible to claim deductions for personal superannuation contributions, the ATO has identified some common errors that practitioners and their clients should avoid. For many super members, the 2017–18 financial year was the first opportunity they had to claim a deduction for personal super contributions, with the strategy previously only […]