Entries by Admin

New “work test” exemption for recent retirees

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 […]

Deemed Dividend Rules: New 10-Year Loan Model

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 […]

Super Guarantee Compliance: Time To Take Action

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 […]

Explanatory Memorandum February 2019

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 […]

Client Alert February 2019

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 […]

New SMS scam ‘spoofs’ ATO number

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 […]

Instant asset write-off threshold upped to $25k

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 […]

ATO flags common errors with contribution deductions

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 […]

LRBA Changes May Hinder SMSF Gearing

In the last decade, many SMSFs have used a “limited recourse borrowing arrangement” (LRBA) as part of a gearing strategy to build members’ retirement savings. An LRBA is a special type of loan that allows SMSF trustees to borrow to buy an asset – typically real estate. Gearing strategies have been particularly attractive to SMSF members […]

Are You Getting the Most from Your Investment Property?

Property depreciation claims Just as with other assets linked to income-producing activities, you can claim depreciation on your investment property through low value asset pooling. Depreciation works to lower your taxable income, meaning that you pay less tax, which can help boost your return. What are depreciable assets? Depreciable assets for an investment property include both […]