SMSF ATO Powers

The ATO – as the regulator of SMSFs (self-managed super funds) – has a range of treatments available to it to deal with SMSF trustees who have not complied with the super laws. The ATO says its primary focus is to encourage SMSF trustees…

Tax Debt Payment Plan

Taxpayers who can't pay their tax by the due date should consider whether to request a payment arrangement with the ATO. An arrangement to pay in instalments does not vary the time when the amount is due and payable, and therefore does not affect…

Super Guarantee: "Employees" or "Independent Contractors"?

An "employee" for superannuation guarantee purposes includes anyone who is an employee at common law. The relationship between employer and employee is often described as a "contract of service" whereas the relationship between principal and…

Sort Out the Income You Must Lodge on Your Tax Return

Broadly speaking, if you are a resident of Australia, you must annually lodge an income tax return and pay annual taxes on worldwide income from many sources. If you are lodging directly, the deadline is October 31 for the previous tax…

Super Guarantee: "Employees" or "Independent Contractors"?

An "employee" for superannuation guarantee purposes includes anyone who is an employee at common law. The relationship between employer and employee is often described as a "contract of service" whereas the relationship between principal and…

Using the Blackhole Expenditure Rule - Starting A Business

It costs money to start a business, and generally you cannot deduct those expenses because they are not incurred as part of running a company. Money spent to start a business is not considered as the cost of carrying on business. For example,…

Electronic data-matching

Electronic data-matching is a key tool used by the ATO to check compliance. Most people are willing to meet their tax and superannuation responsibilities. However, there are a small minority of taxpayers who don't fully meet their responsibilities.…

Trust Tax Tips 2016

Here are some useful tax tips and reminders concerning trusts: Beneficiaries Trustees should check their trust deed and make sure that they only make distributions to eligible beneficiaries. Only an eligible beneficiary can be presently…

Phone & Internet Claims - Tax Deduction 2016

The ATO has released information on claiming deductions for mobile, home phone and internet expenses for work purposes. The following are some key points made by the ATO. Substantiating claims Taxpayers need to keep records for a four-week…