Super Guaranteed

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Are you paying the right amount of super for your employees? It’s that time of the year again, where the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) release the indexation factors that are critical in determining various superannuation thresholds. While the super guarantee is still frozen at 9.5%, the maximum contribution base will increase to $54,030 per quarter (or $216,120) for 2018-19. Employers are not required to provide the minimum super guarantee for the part of employees’ wages above the maximum contribution base.

Besides the part employees’ wages above $216,120, you as an employer, are required to make minimum contributions of 9.5% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings by quarterly due dates to their nominated superannuation funds if you pay the employee $450 or more (before tax) in a calendar month. This is irrespective of whether an employee is full-time, part-time, casual, a family member, company directors, those who receive a super pension or annuity while still working, or temporary residents.

You should note that the ATO considers certain contractors that are paid mainly for their labour to be employees for super guarantee purposes. This is the case even if the contractor quotes an ABN. According to the ATO, you as an employer must make super guarantee contributions of 9.5% on what you pay your contractors if they are paid:

  • under a verbal or written contract that is wholly or principally for their labour;
  • for their personal labour and skills which may include physical labour, mental effort or artistic effort; or
  • to perform the contract work personally.

If you’re not paying the right amount of super for your employees and some contractors, beware, the ATO uses sophisticated data analytics to identify employers at high risk of non-compliance. 

It also takes a differentiated approach to compliance and penalties depending on the compliance history of the employer and how actively they engage to meet their superannuation obligations. Therefore, it pays to be in the good books of the ATO as they may take a more accommodating approach should your business have any discrepancies in super guarantee payment to your employees.

However, employers who are unwilling to meet their super guarantee obligations should expect the ATO to take firm compliance action including the imposition of penalties such as the super guarantee charge, a Part 7 penalty (up to 200%) for late lodgement of the super guarantee statement or failing to provide information when requested, and an administrative penalty (up to 75%) may also apply for an employer who makes a false and misleading statement.

Need help?

If you’re having issues with working out the right super amount to pay to your employees or if you would like to determine whether that person working for you is considered to be an employee or a genuine contractor, we can help.

 

Tax Time Focus Areas for Individuals

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It’s tax time again, as you gather your receipts and other assorted tax documents, you should also turn you mind to what the ATO is paying close attention to this year. This year, the ATO is focusing on taxpayers who claim “other” work-related expense deductions at label D5 on individual tax returns.

According to the ATO, taxpayers need to be able to show that they spent the money themselves and were not reimbursed, the expense was directly related to earning their income, and they have a record to prove it. Where the expense is for both work and private use, only the work-related portion can be claimed. The ATO urges taxpayers to remember that they are not automatically entitled to claim standard deductions and that all expenses need to be substantiated.

As a part of their focus on other work-related expense claims, the ATO will also be closely scrutinising work-related car expenses which around 3.75m individuals claimed in 2016-17 totalling $8.8bn. Assistant Commissioner Kath Anderson said:

“While most people want to do the right thing, we know the rules can be a bit tricky for some and we are seeing a lot of mistakes. We are particularly concerned about taxpayers claiming for things they are not entitled to, like private trips, trips they didn’t make, and car expenses that their employer paid for or reimbursed.”

There are two ways a deduction for car expenses can be calculated under tax law, the cents-per-kilometre method (which limits claims for work-related travel up to 5,000 km) and the log-book method in which a log book is kept for a continuous 12-week period to determine the work-related percentage of the actual expenses incurred.

Around 870,000 individuals claim the maximum amount under the cents-per-kilometre method each year, and the ATO is concerned that there is an erroneous belief among taxpayers that the maximum claim is a standard deduction that does not require evidence of any travel. While it notes that using the cents-per-kilometre method does not require a log book, taxpayers will still need to show evidence of the number of kilometres travelled by using a diary for example, if required.

This year, the ATO is using enhanced technology and data analytics to identify unusual claims, which includes comparing taxpayers to others in similar occupations earning similar incomes. It says its models are particularly useful in identifying individuals claiming things like home to work travel or trips not required as a part of their work.

The ATO is advising taxpayers that it may request proof that the travel for work was required, this is especially significant in circumstances where individuals may claim the transport of bulky tools or equipment as required by their work. It warns individuals this year, it’ll be on the lookout for false logbooks, claiming home to work travel, claiming for expenses paid for by the employer, incorrect claiming of home to work travel where bulky tools are not involved, and claiming expenses for a car which is under a novated lease.

Need help at tax time?

Bring in your receipts and associated tax documents, we can help you navigate the murky water of deductions and get you the maximum claim you are entitled to. If you’re thinking of claiming other work-related expenses or car expenses this year, let us look over your claim to make sure it’s all above board to avoid a future ATO investigation.

Small businesses not seeking accountants’ advice

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Source: http://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/professional-development/9168-sme-missing-out-by-not-seeking-accountants-advice

The Voice of Australian Business survey, undertaken by Bentleys, shows SMEs are missing out by not taking advantage of this expert advice.

The survey revealed a number of alarming statistics such as less than half of all surveyed businesses used an accountant or financial adviser to review their banking relationship in the last year.

Ross Prosper, director of taxation and business services at Bentleys Western Australia, said SME owners who don’t seek the services of an adviser could be doing their business a disservice.

“With approximately two million SMEs operating in Australia, these businesses form a significant part of the Australian economy,” he said.

“While experts in their own field, many SME owners are failing to maximise opportunities by engaging professional external accountants and financial advisers, who are experts in business and financial advice,” Mr Prosper added.

When asked who they turned to for advice and insight in running their business; friends, family and online media were the most common sources for small business owners. The strongest influence on business decision making was financial data from their own business (37 per cent) beating out accountants with just 30 per cent.

When examining the number of SMEs who use the services of an external consultant, the size of the business was seen to have a direct correlation. The survey showed 29 per cent of small businesses and 38 per cent of medium-size businesses reported using external consultants and advisers, compared to 18 per cent of micro businesses.

Mr Prosper said regardless of business size, SME owners should feel comfortable in seeking the insights of an external adviser.

“Ultimately, the goal of a business or financial adviser is to help clients achieve their goals. That may mean simply creating a budget to manage cash flow or developing an entire business strategy and then holding them accountable against this plan,” he said.

“Business advice and financial planning isn’t about pushing your client to purchase a product, it’s about advising and assisting them to reach their goals. A good adviser will provide strategic advice from a whole-of-wealth perspective, so that owners are free to focus on other aspects of the business that will ultimately help the business to grow.

“Ask friends and family for a recommendation or do your own research to find someone who you think will be a good fit for you and your business. And remember, a good external consultant will have a genuine interest in the success of your future; won’t push unnecessary products; and will be with you for the long term,” said Mr Prosper.

Client Alert (November 2015)

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Unbundling phone and internet expense claims for work purposes

Individuals can claim deductions for mobile, home phone and internet expenses that have been incurred for work purposes. However, correct apportionment for work use is a key issue. According to the ATO, as there are many different types of plans available, taxpayers need to determine their work use using a reasonable basis.

For example, phone and internet services are often bundled. When a taxpayer is claiming deductions for work-related use of one or more services, they need to apportion their costs based on their work use for each service. If other household members also use the services, the taxpayer needs to take into account that use in their calculations.

TIP: If the taxpayer has a bundled plan, the ATO says they can identify their work use for each service over a four-week representative period during the income year. This will allow the taxpayer to determine their pattern of work use, which can then be applied to the full year. Please contact our office for assistance.

Student loan debt recovery from overseas

As part of the 2015 Federal Budget, the Government announced that Australians living and working overseas who have a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) or Trade Support Loan (TSL) debt would soon be required to repay that debt in line with the obligations that apply for debtors who live and work in Australia.

The repayment obligations are expected to apply from 1 July 2017, based on income earned in the 2016–2017 financial year. The repayment obligations would only commence once the individual’s income reached the minimum repayment threshold. People heading overseas for more than six months would be required to register with the ATO, while those already overseas would have until 1 July 2017 to register.

TIP: The Government is intending to facilitate reciprocal arrangements with foreign governments. That is, the Government intends to share details of individuals to allow foreign governments to identify if their citizens with student loan debts are living and working here in Australia. At this stage New Zealand and the UK have been flagged for reciprocal arrangements.

TIP: Individuals can make voluntary repayments at any time to reduce their HELP debts. Currently, if you make a voluntary HELP repayment of $500 or more, you get a 5% bonus. If your HELP debt balance is less than $500 and you make a voluntary repayment to pay out the debt, you also get a 5% bonus. Voluntary payments are in addition to compulsory repayments. Any voluntary repayments you make are not tax deductible.

SMSF trustees warned to plan for cognitive decline

The ATO has highlighted the issue of cognitive decline, noting that dementia is on the rise and that it is important for trustees of self managed super funds (SMSFs) to have plans to ensure that financial matters will be effectively managed, if and when trustees no longer have the capacity to manage their funds.

“SMSFs are in reality usually managed by one trustee and require a high level of financial decision-making. While many trustees remain perfectly capable of effectively managing their financial affairs well past retirement age, there is a risk that some with diminished capacity to effectively manage their fund may nevertheless continue to do so. Most don’t have a plan for what to do if they get to this point”, said Kasey Macfarlane, ATO Assistant Commissioner, SMSF Segment, Superannuation.

In this regard, Ms Macfarlane said, it was essential that trustees “agree in advance about decision points and exit decisions, to have a will and appoint an enduring guardian and power of attorney”.

Tax debt release application refused

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has refused a couple’s application to be released from their tax debts after finding the couple (the taxpayers) would not suffer serious hardship if they were required to satisfy the liability. The tax debt the taxpayers sought to have released amounted to some $25,000. The taxpayers argued they should be released from the tax debts because their financial position was due to “serious family difficulties and problems”, which had distracted them from their tax affairs.

Although the AAT was sympathetic towards to the taxpayers, it concluded they had not discharged the onus of proving that they would suffer serious hardship if they were required to pay the relevant tax debts. The AAT reached this conclusion after calculating the taypayers’ fortnightly income and expenses. In this regard, the AAT noted the taxpayers were making more than the required minimum mortgage repayments and could draw down on their home loan.

Even if it were a case of serious hardship, the AAT said, it would not exercise the discretion to waive the debt. Among other things, the AAT noted that one of the taxpayers was a beneficiary in the estate of her mother and stood to receive approximately $200,000.

TIP: Serious hardship exists when payment of a tax debt would leave you unable to provide for basic living necessities for yourself and dependants. The Tax Commissioner has the discretion to release you from eligible tax debts; however, even if the Commissioner is satisfied that serious hardship would result from payment of the tax debt, he is not obliged to exercise the discretion in your favour.

Retiring partner’s individual interest in net income of partnership

According to a recent ATO Taxation Determination, where a retiring partner receives an amount representing his or her individual interest in the partnership net income, that amount is assessable under section 92 of the Income Tax Assessment
Act 1936. This is the case even if the partner retires before the end of the income year or the payment is received in a subsequent income year. Furthermore, the way the payment is labelled or described will not change the ATO’s conclusion that the receipt represents the partner’s share of partnership net income and needs to be brought to account under section 92.

The ATO notes that a partner’s individual interest in the net income of a partnership is essentially a question of fact in each case, to be determined by reference to the partnership agreement, the partnership’s accounting records and any other relevant documents. The ATO notes that its approach in the Determination is a departure from several private rulings, in which it took such receipts into account under the capital gains tax (CGT) rules. The ATO says that an amount representing an individual interest in partnership net income may also represent capital proceeds from a CGT event; however, any capital gain that would otherwise arise is reduced to the extent that it is assessable under other provisions.

TIP: The Taxation Determination applies to assessments made after 3 June 2015. The ATO says it will not seek to disturb favourable assessments made before that date.

ATO targeting ride-sourcing drivers and eBay online sellers

The ATO has announced that it will acquiring details of ride-sourcing drivers from ride-sourcing facilitators. The data will be matched electronically with ATO data holdings to identify people. The ATO said the aim of the data-match is to identify taxpayers that can be provided with tailored information to help them meet their tax obligations, or to ensure their compliance with the tax law. The ATO estimated that records relating to between 10,000 and 15,000 individuals will be matched.

TIP: The ATO has affirmed that people who provide ride-sourcing services are providing “taxi travel” under the GST law. The ATO has previously advised that it expects all drivers involved in providing ride-sourcing services to be registered for goods and services tax (GST). Please contact our office for information and assistance.

The ATO is also acquiring online selling data from eBay relating to registrants who sold goods and services to a value of $10,000 or more during the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015. The data requested includes information that will enable the ATO to match online selling accounts to taxpayers, including names, addresses and contact information, as well as information on the number and value of transactions processed for each online selling account. It is estimated that records relating to between 15,000 and 25,000 individuals will be matched.

Client Alert Explanatory Memorandum (October 2015)

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This issue of Client Alert takes into account all developments up to and including 17 September 2015.

Excessive deduction claims on holiday homes on ATO hit list

The ATO is increasing its focus on holiday home investors and, in particularly, whether they are correctly claiming deductible expenses. The ATO has recently advised that it will send letters to taxpayers in approximately 500 postcodes across Australia, reminding them to only claim the deductions they are entitled to, for the periods the holiday home is rented out or is genuinely available for rent.

Note: If a property is rented at below market rates, for example to family or friends, deduction claims must be limited to the income earned while rented.

The ATO is of the view that holiday home investors may be misinterpreting the rules regarding tax deductions for rental properties and may therefore be over-claiming on tax deductions for periods when the property is not being rented out. There are suggestions that the confusion among taxpayers as to what constitutes personal use or reasonable (or realistic) efforts to lease out a holiday home has resulted in homes that are not genuinely available for rent. The ATO has indicated that it will focus on the following:

  • excessive deductions claimed for holiday homes;
  • properties that are located in remote locations, with limited rental period and minimal income;
  • the use of risk detection data models and market analysis to identify and investigate claims where taxpayers have unusual rental income and deductions patterns compared to other investors in similar locations;
  • writing to owners to remind them of what they cannot claim; and
  • jointly owned holiday homes where husband and wife unequally divide the income and deductions.

It is important that the ATO continues to educate rental property owners on what they can and cannot claim. Taxpayers may have negatively geared investment properties giving rise to significant deductions and it is therefore inevitable that the need for review and monitoring arises.

Having said that, it should be noted that there is no clear guidance as to what constitutes “reasonable”, “genuine” or “realistic” in the context of making all the relevant attempts to rent out a holiday home. There is also a concern that investors may have to prove that efforts were undertaken to rent out the holiday home, perhaps by demonstrating that they have advertised the property for rent, engaged rental agents and so forth.

If the ATO were to commence a review or audit on a holiday home rental property, it is hoped that the ATO would not make any conclusions regarding the use of the holiday home or the intention of the taxpayer prior to objectively considering all the available evidence. This is especially the case if the holiday home is subject to seasonal demand.

Source: ATO media release, 31 August 2015, https://www.ato.gov.au/Media-centre/Media-releases/Helping-taxpayers-get-it-right-this-tax-time-on-rental-properties/.

Foreign property investors – reduced penalty period ending

The ATO has reminded foreign investors of a reduced penalty period if they disclose possible breaches of Australia’s foreign investment rules for purchases of Australian real property. The reduced penalty period is only available until 30 November 2015. To apply for the reduced penalty period, foreign investors must complete the reduced penalty disclosure form (available at http://compliance.firb.gov.au/personal-circumstances/).

From 1 December 2015, new criminal and civil penalties will apply. The ATO has also reminded foreign investors with an existing interest in agricultural land that they must notify it of their interests by 31 December 2015 and that the obligation to register exists regardless of the value of the land.

Note that a package of Bills to tighten Australia’s foreign investment framework has been introduced (see article below).

Source: ATO publication, “Foreign investors need to report”, 25 August 2015, https://www.ato.gov.au/Tax-professionals/Newsroom/Income-tax/Foreign-investors-need-to-report/.

Foreign investment framework rules to be tightened: Bills introduced

The Treasurer said the “legislative package shall ensure Australia maintains a welcoming environment for investment – but one that ensures that the investment is not contrary to our national interest”. Mr Hockey said the “reforms shall ensure that from 1 December 2015, Australia’s foreign investment framework is more modern, simple and effective.” The Bills are:

–        introduce civil penalties and additional stricter criminal penalties to ensure foreign investors and intermediaries do not profit from breaking the rules. Mr Hockey said the criminal penalties will be increased from $90,000 to $135,000 for individuals and will be supplemented by civil pecuniary penalties and infringement notices for less serious breaches of the residential real estate rules. Third parties such as real estate agents, migration agents, conveyancers and lawyers who knowingly assist a foreign investor to breach the rules will also be subject to both civil and criminal penalties. Note the ATO is administering a reduced penalty period for those who self-report non-compliance before 30 November 2015 (see above);

–        transfer to the ATO the responsibility of regulating foreign investment in residential real estate. The Treasurer noted the Government has provided $47.5 million over four years to the ATO to improve compliance and enforcement of the rules. In this regard, Mr Hockey noted the ATO’s data-matching abilities. Note that in May 2015, the ATO had announced that it will require details of foreign investors that apply to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) to purchase residential or agricultural land in Australia for the 2010–2011 to 2015–2016 financial years;

–        enable the lowering of screening thresholds for investments in Australian agriculture. Since 1 March 2015, the screening threshold for foreign purchases of agricultural land has been lowered from $252 million to $15 million based on the cumulative value of agricultural land owned by that investor. The Government is also introducing a $55 million threshold for direct interests in agribusinesses from 1 December 2015; and

–        reduce red tape by removing routine cases and better aligning the foreign investment framework with other corporate legislation. For example, Mr Hockey said the substantial interest threshold will be raised from 15% to 20% to better align the foreign investment rules with the takeover rules in the Corporations Act 2001. This means investors acquiring a stake of less than 20% will no longer need foreign investment approval.

  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Bill 2015
    (http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId%3Ar5515%20Recstruct%3Abillhome) – introduces fees on all foreign investment applications to fund the costs of administration and enforcement of the new regime. For residential and agricultural properties valued at $1 million or less, foreign investors will pay a fee of $5,000. Higher fees apply to more expensive residential and agricultural properties as well as commercial real estate and business applications.
  • Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land Bill 2015
    (http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId%3Ar5516%20Recstruct%3Abillhome) – establishes a register of foreign ownership of agricultural land operated by the ATO. On 1 July 2015, the Government established a register of foreign ownership of agricultural land operated by the ATO. All existing holdings must be registered with the ATO by 31 December 2015 and any new interests registered within 30 days. The ATO is collecting information such as the location and size of the property and size of the interest acquired. The Government has previously advised that the data will be made available to the public from 2016. The Government is also working with the states and territories to use their land titles data to expand the register in the future.

Note the Bills were still before the House of Reps at the time of writing.

Source: Treasurer’s second reading speech, “Foreign investment reform package”, 20 August 2015, http://jbh.ministers.treasury.gov.au/speech/026-2015/.

Payroll tax grouping – know the rules

The payroll tax grouping rules are complex and many employers across Australia are not aware of their existence or their obligations under these rules.

The payroll tax grouping rules require employers to group their payroll tax liabilities with other businesses that they control and have the effect of deeming businesses to be a single entity for payroll tax purposes.

Under the payroll grouping rules, wages of these related businesses are then added together, and the calculation of their payroll tax liability is based on the group’s total wages.

Further, all members of the group become liable for the payroll tax debts of the group which are incurred while they are members of that group. This means that if one member defaults in the payment of tax, that amount may be recovered from any of the other group members.

This article provides a basic overview of the rules.

Payroll tax – background

Payroll tax is a state or territory based tax payable by employers as a percentage of total wages paid to employees.

Although payroll tax is a state tax, different jurisdictions have different payroll tax rates and general deduction thresholds. New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria have substantially identical payroll tax legislation and Queensland has legislation to align to these states and territories.

Payroll tax is calculated on wages and salaries paid (or payable) by an employer to its employees and deemed employees at the following rates:

State/territory Payroll tax rate 2015–2016
ACT 6.85%
NSW 5.45%
NT 5.5%
Qld 4.75%
SA 4.95%
Tas 6.1%
Vic 4.85%
WA 5.5%

Payroll tax only becomes payable by an employer (or group – see below) when the total of all wages paid exceeds a general deduction threshold. The annual thresholds are different in each state and territory and are as follows:

State/territory General deduction threshold 2015–2016
ACT $1,850,000
NSW $750,000
NT $1,500,000
Qld $1,100,000
SA $600,000
Tas $1,250,000
Vic $550,000
WA $800,000 (phases out to $7,500,000)

Each state and territory also has a monthly threshold which, with the exception of New South Wales and Tasmania (which have different thresholds for 28-day, 30-day and 31-day months), is 1/12th the annual threshold.

For New South Wales and Tasmania, the monthly thresholds are as follows:

  New South Wales 2015–2016 Tasmania 2015–2016
29-day month $59,426 $99,044
30-day month $61,475 $102,459
31-day month $63,525 $105,874

Generally, employers are required to self-assess their liability to payroll tax on a monthly basis, which is then reconciled at the end of each financial year. Employers are required to register for payroll tax if during any one month their total Australian wages (or the group’s total Australian wages) exceed the relevant monthly deduction threshold level.

For payroll tax purposes the definition of wages is very wide and includes:

  • normal wages;
  • staff allowances;
  • staff commissions and bonuses;
  • employer (pre-tax) superannuation contributions including super guarantee payments, monetary and non-monetary salary sacrifice contributions and contributions to defined benefit funds;
  • the aggregate grossed up (using type 2 factor) amount fringe benefits;
  • the value of shares and options;
  • payments made to certain contractors;
  • certain payments made by employment agencies in relation to employment agency contracts;
  • director payments; and
  • termination payments and paid-out accrued leave.

There are, however, a number of payments that are specifically exempted from payroll tax such as:

  • maternity or adoption leave paid in addition to normal leave entitlements;
  • payments made under the Commonwealth Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme;
  • contributions made by employers to a non-fringe benefit portable long service leave scheme or a redundancy or severance scheme;
  • the reimbursements of business expenses incurred by employees for expenses incurred in the course of the employer’s business but only where the precise amount is reimbursed;
  • the income tax free portion of redundancy or early retirement payments; and
  • certain payments made by an insurer, and compulsory Workers Compensation payments.

Illustrative example 1

ABC Pty Ltd has employees in both Victoria and Tasmania and in a 31-day month, the monthly wages paid for all of those employees is $50,000. As ABC Pty Ltd has businesses in more than one Australian jurisdiction, it will need to calculate its payroll tax liability in both states.

Victoria

The monthly Victorian general deduction threshold is $45,833 (based on $550,000/12 months). ABC Pty Ltd would therefore need to register for payroll tax in Victoria as it has exceeded the monthly Victorian general deduction threshold of $45,833.

Tasmania

The monthly Tasmanian general deduction threshold is $105,874 (the specific threshold for a 31-day month). Given that ABC Pty Ltd pays its employees $50,000, it would not need to register for payroll tax in Tasmania as it has not exceeded the monthly Tasmanian threshold.

The nexus test for payroll tax

The payroll tax legislation has provisions to determine in which Australian jurisdiction a payroll tax liability arises in situations where the employees of a business work in more than one state or territory. The nexus provisions look at a number of factors in order to determine the state or territory most closely connected with the employee’s services. These factors are considered in the following order:

  • the state or territory where the employee’s principal place of residence is;
  • where the employee has no principal place of residence, the state or territory where the address of the Australian Business Number of the employer is registered;
  • where the employer does not have an Australian Business Number or has more than one, the jurisdiction where the employer has their principal place of business;
  • if none of the above can apply, the state or territory jurisdiction where the wages, or the majority of the wages, are paid or payable. This would generally be the jurisdiction in which the employee has their bank account; and
  • if none of the above apply, the state or territory where the majority of the employee’s work occurs.

The nexus test is also important when considering the available general deduction thresholds because if a business pays wages in more than one state or territory the threshold is calculated as a proportion equal to the ratio of wages paid in a particular state or territory.

For example, if the wages paid in Victoria were 25% of the total Australian wages paid, then the relevant threshold for Victoria would be 25% of the full threshold of $550,000, ie $137,500.

Payroll tax grouping – basic rules

The grouping provisions have the effect of deeming businesses to be related and include these businesses in a group for payroll tax purposes.

Businesses will be grouped for payroll tax purposes if there is a common link between them. That is, if the grouping definitions are met, businesses are obliged to form a group unless they can obtain the relevant exemption.

Where payroll grouping occurs, a single threshold deduction applies to the group as if it were a single entity.

Nonetheless, each group member has to register for payroll tax and lodge a separate return but the calculation of their payroll tax liability is based on the group’s total wage.

When will grouping occur?

A payroll tax group will occur in the following circumstances:

1.         Related companies

All corporations that meet the Corporations Act 2001 definition of “related companies” are grouped. In that definition companies are taken to be related if two or more companies are:

  • a holding company and a subsidiary; or
  • both subsidiaries of the same holding company.

This applies even if the common ownership is by virtue of an overseas holding company.

It should also be noted that the potential exemption from grouping referred to above is not available at all to companies grouped under the related companies’ provisions.

2.         Use of common employees

Businesses will be required to be grouped when any services agreement between two or more businesses results in the employees of one business performing duties as an employee for another business.

Not all service agreements will trigger this provision. In order for this to apply the service agreement must set out the specific duties to be performed by the employees of a business for the other business.

Illustrative example 2

Alpha Pty Ltd and Beta Pty Ltd are related companies. During recent times, Beta Pty Ltd has been struggling to meet increased demand from customers and requires additional administrative support at its head office located in NSW.

As a result, Alpha Pty Ltd enters into a service agreement with Beta Pty Ltd under which Alpha will provide two of its employees to Beta. The employees will undertake specific receptionist, secretarial and administrative duties at Beta Pty Ltd for a period of six months.

This arrangement would be considered to be the provision of employees for specific duties connected with the business and a grouping requirement between the two businesses would arise.

Alpha Pty Ltd and Beta Pty Ltd will therefore be required to form a tax group for payroll tax purposes.

3.         Commonly controlled businesses

Where two or more businesses are controlled by the same person or persons there is a requirement to group for payroll tax purposes. For these purposes a person includes individuals or a trustee or a corporate entity.

Businesses are considered to be commonly controlled where a person or persons control more than 50% across different entities. For example:

  • One person is the sole business owner (whether or not as trustee).
  • Joint owners, together as trustees, are the sole business owners.
  • A person or set of persons are entitled to exercise more than 50% of the voting power at directors’ meetings or more than 50% of voting rights attached to voting shares that the company has issued.
  • A person or set of persons constitute or control more than 50% of the board of management of a business entity.
  • A person or set of persons own more than 50% of the capital of a partnership or are entitled to more than 50% of the profits.
  • A person or set of persons are a beneficiary of more than 50% of the value of a trust. (Under a discretionary trust, all beneficiaries are deemed to have a controlling interest).
  • An entity has a direct, indirect or aggregate interest of more than 50% in any corporation.

With the exception of entities grouped for payroll tax under the related companies’ provision, a business may apply for an exclusion from grouping. This may be granted where the relevant state or territory is satisfied the business is conducted independently and not connected with any other group member.

Only one member of a payroll tax group can claim the group’s threshold entitlement. The net effect is therefore, a reduction in the availability of the threshold(s).

Take home message

A careful examination of the implications of the payroll tax grouping provisions should be made for all business structures. In particular, the application of the grouping provisions may vary for each state or territory, so the applicable provisions should be reviewed. The potential eligibility for exclusion from the rules should also be assessed. Furthermore, as business conditions may change and as part of the overall management of a business, it may be prudent to regularly examine your business’s payroll tax obligations.

No GST credits for mining accommodation

In a succinct nine-paragraph decision, the Full Federal Court has dismissed the taxpayer’s appeal from the decision in Rio Tinto Services Ltd v FCT [2015] FCA 94 that it was not entitled to input tax credits (ITCs) for acquisitions relating to mining accommodation (employee/contractor housing) in the Pilbara.

Background

This was a test case on whether the definition of “creditable purpose” in s 11-15 of the GST Act contains a principal purpose test. Section 11-15(2)(a) provides that a thing is not acquired for a creditable purpose to the extent that the acquisition relates to making supplies that would be input taxed. The provision of residential accommodation is an input taxed supply under s 40-35.

The taxpayer, Rio Tinto Services Ltd, was the representative member of the Rio Tinto Ltd GST group, which carried on a large scale mining enterprise in outback Australia. The group provided and maintained residential accommodation for its workforce in various locations, comprising some 2,300 houses and apartments. This was operated at a considerable loss, eg in 2010 the taxpayer received $6.1 million in rent but the associated costs exceeded $38.8 million.

The case was conducted as a test case for GST paid in October 2010 on expenditure including construction and purchase of new housing, repairs, cleaning and landscaping. The taxpayer claimed it was entitled to input tax credits of nearly $600,000 for acquisitions made by group members in providing and maintaining residential accommodation for the group’s workforce in the Pilbara region.

The taxpayer argued that the acquisitions were made wholly for a creditable purpose because the supply was not an “end commercial objective” in itself but was a necessary and essential part of its mining operations. The taxpayer said it was not in the business of providing residential accommodation. Rather, it provided housing at a loss in order to attract workers who would provide the labour necessary to carry on its mining enterprise. In other words, the taxpayer sought to link the acquisitions to its general operations (which were taxable and/or GST-free), so that an input tax credit could be claimed.

The Commissioner accepted that the provision of residential accommodation was a necessary and essential part of the group member’s business. However, the taxpayer’s ITC claims were rejected on the basis that they came within the terms of s 11-15(2)(a) of the GST Act.

Decision at first instance

In Rio Tinto Services Ltd v FCT [2015] FCA 94, Davies J rejected the taxpayer’s construction of s 11-15, holding that s 11-15(2)(a) prevented input tax credits from being claimed in relation to the supply of residential accommodation.

Davies J followed the view that s 11-15(1) is a “positive test”, while s 11-15(2)(a) is a “negative test” or “blocking provision”. According to her Honour, s 11-15(2)(a) is concerned with the objective relationship between an acquisition and making supplies which would be input taxed, not the “moving cause or principal purpose” behind the acquisition. Her Honour noted that something may be acquired in carrying on an enterprise but nonetheless wholly or partly relate to making supplies that would be input taxed. The words “relate to” denote that there must be a relationship or connection between an acquisition and the making of input taxed supplies, not that a principal purpose must be determined, the Court said.

In this case, Davies J found there was a direct and immediate connection between the acquisitions and the provision of the leased accommodation, and this triggered s 11-15(2)(a). Her Honour also rejected the taxpayer’s alternative argument that the input tax credits should be apportioned by applying the same proportion that mining product revenue formed to total revenue (in this case, 99.88%).

The taxpayer appealed to the Full Federal Court.

Full Federal Court decision

The Full Federal Court gave an ex tempore (“at the time”) judgment, unanimously holding that the terms of s 11-15(2)(a) of the GST Act do not depend on the reason or purpose for making the supply or acquisition. Rather, the Court said, they turn on characterising the extent to which the acquisition relates to the subsequent supply. This requires the precise identification of the relevant acquisition and a factual inquiry into the relationship between that acquisition and the making of supplies that would be input taxed. Where an acquisition relates wholly to input taxed supplies, it is not to be apportioned merely because that supply may also serve some broader commercial objective of the supplier.

In this case, the Full Federal Court said it was clear from the facts that all of the acquisitions related wholly to making supplies of rental residential accommodation. Although the supplies of accommodation were for the broader business purpose of carrying on the taxpayer’s mining operations, this did not alter the fact that the acquisitions all related to supplying premises by way of lease, which were input taxed supplies.

Accordingly, the Full Federal Court dismissed the taxpayer’s appeal.

Rio Tinto Services Ltd v FCT [2015] FCAFC 117, Full Federal Court, Middleton, Logan and Pagone JJ, 24 August 2015, http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2015/117.html.

ATO’s proportionate compliance approach to SMSFs

From 1 July 2014, the ATO has had three new regulatory compliance powers to deter and address SIS Act contraventions by self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees: education directions, rectification directions and administrative penalties. The new laws were introduced to give the ATO more flexible and proportionate powers to deal with the various levels of non-compliant behaviour by trustees. ATO Assistant Commissioner, SMSF Segment, Superannuation, Kasey Macfarlane, recently delivered a speech covering how the new regime works, its interaction with the ATO’s existing enforcement and other powers, how the ATO was applying the regime, and how it works for individual versus corporate trustees.

Some key points from the speech:

Identifying risk

The ATO selects SMSFs for audit and review using risk models, intelligence or referrals from other state or commonwealth departments and law enforcement agencies. The ATO has two primary automated risk models – when an SMSF is established and when an SMSF is operation.

In the SMSF establishment model, the ATO will, among other things, focus on the compliance history of the trustees/directors (eg if they have previously been part of another SMSF the ATO has had issues with). The ATO will also approach trustees by telephone and asks them questions about key obligations and concepts (eg sole purpose test). Depending on the answers, the ATO may allow registration or put conditions in place. Once the SMSF is in operation, the ATO will look at the income tax and regulatory history of the SMSF – this includes the SMSF annual return, auditor contravention reports, and other data sources. In addition, the ATO receives “dob-ins” from the general public and related parties of SMSF trustees and directors and the ATO manually reviews alerts and information in databases like RP data and AUSTRAC.

Rectifying contraventions

Many SMSF professionals use the Super P2P service. Ms Macfarlane said the ATO expects that in most cases where a trustee or auditor finds an issue or contravention, they can rectify it without ATO assistance. She said the auditor would likely report the contravention and the rectification and this would “generally be enough” to satisfy the ATO. Ms Macfarlane said the ATO encourages all trustees and their advisors to adopt this type of approach, ie to take steps to rectify a breach as soon as it is identified. She said in these circumstances, the ATO would be “unlikely to apply further sanctions unless other factors are identified, such as if the same or similar contraventions frequently arose”.

Enforcement outcomes

The ATO reported the following enforcement outcomes for 2014–2015: 361 accepted enforceable undertakings; 54 education directions given (new power); 27 rectification directions given (new power); 92 funds made non-compliant, with trustees receiving a notice of non-compliance; 662 disqualified trustees; and 44 SMSFs wound-up due to compliance action.

Education and rectification directions

Ms Macfarlane made the following points:

  • Education directions – When a contravention of the SIS Act or regulations occurs due to a lack of knowledge or understanding by the trustee, an education direction may be appropriate. A trustee may be directed to undertake education in addition to other compliance action. For example, they could be directed both to undertake education and to rectify the contravention, and potentially also have an administrative penalty imposed.
  • Rectification directions – For contraventions of the SIS Act or regulations that occurred on or after 1 July 2014, the ATO can now direct the trustees to rectify a contravention with specified action and to provide the ATO with evidence of compliance with the direction. Generally, the ATO allows six months to rectify an issue, but in limited circumstances a slightly longer period may apply. This doesn’t prevent the ATO considering whether to accept an enforceable undertaking from a trustee if offered. These arrangements rely on SMSF trustees initiating the undertaking with the ATO before it issues the rectification direction (and this may be more practical for the trustees).

When considering whether to issue a direction, the ATO will take into account: any financial detriment that might reasonably be expected to be suffered by the fund as a result of the person’s compliance with the direction; the nature and seriousness of the contravention; and any other relevant circumstances.

  • Failure to comply with rectification direction – If the trustee fails to comply with the rectification direction within the specified period, then they have committed an offence of strict liability and are liable for a penalty of $1,800 (10 penalty units). The trustee or director may also be disqualified or issued with a notice of non-compliance. A trustee may request the terms of the rectification direction be varied, for example more time to complete the rectification. Requests must be made in writing, be received on or before the end of the period specified, be signed and dated, and set out the reasons for making the request. The ATO must make a decision on the request within 28 days or they will be taken to have refused the request. The trustee may object to the ATO decision to: give a rectification direction; or refuse to vary a rectification direction.

Administrative penalties

Where a trustee contravenes a specific provision of the SIS Act, an administrative penalty will automatically be imposed, as set out in s 166 of the SIS Act. From 31 July 2015, the Commonwealth penalty unit increased from $170 to $180. In the case of contraventions by a corporate trustee of an SMSF, the directors are jointly and severally liable for the one administrative penalty imposed whereas individuals will each receive a separate administrative penalty. Where there is more than one trustee, Ms Macfarlane said it’s expected each trustee will have the penalty imposed on them individually unless there are exceptional circumstances supporting the imposition on specific trustees only. The burden will be on the trustee to prove, for example that another trustee committed fraud against them. Ms Macfarlane made the following points re penalty remission:

  • When considering remission, the ATO will take into account: compliance history; rectification action; and any other relevant circumstances.
  • Trustees may object to the ATO’s decision not to remit, or not to remit in full, the administrative penalty. However, Ms Macfarlane said it is unlikely that a trustee will be given more than one penalty remission as multiple breaches demonstrate poor compliance history.
  • As the rules are new, so far the ATO has either remitted the penalty or are considering a remission request. However, Ms Macfarlane said that as the ATO audits more SMSFs for breaches made since 1 July 2014, people can expect to see increasing application of SMSF administrative penalties over the next 18 months, with requests for remission being denied in instances of serious and/or repeated non-compliance.
  • The ATO needs to confirm a contravention before it will apply a penalty. Ms Macfarlane said the ATO does not intend to automatically apply penalties to all contraventions reported to it. “We must impose the SMSF administrative penalty when we confirm an eligible breach during an ATO audit, so it’s best to avoid the audit by taking steps to rectify the breach before we get involved,” she said.

Approach to new powers

Ms Macfarlane said the ATO uses “the new powers and penalties to drive compliance, not to increase revenue”. “So while you can expect to see us actively using the directions powers, in a large percentage of cases our application of SMSF administrative penalties will be more judicious, via favourable remission requests, for first offences,” she said. However, Ms Macfarlane also reminded people of the purpose of SMSFs to provide retirement benefits for members. “Those people looking to ‘play the system’ and receive a present-day tax benefit in their personal or business affairs are on notice; regulatory and income tax breaches related to the same transaction or arrangement will no longer be treated in isolation. If we find an aggressive taxation approach coupled with a regulatory breach we will definitely look to disqualify the trustee,” she said.

Ms Macfarlane also discussed four case studies illustrating how the new regime will operate. The following case study (Case study 4) illustrates a scenario where the ATO considers an education direction, a rectification direction and remission of administrative penalties:

Case Study 4

The Northern Super Fund, a regulated SMSF was established on 4 May 2011. John and Martha are members of this SMSF. The trustee is Vineyard Video Pty Ltd with John and Martha as directors. The fund’s total assets as at 30 June 2014 are $400,000. The fund lodged all SMSF annual returns on time with no prior contraventions reported.

The 2014–2015 SMSF annual return was due on 28 February 2016. An ATO audit of the 2014–2015 income year starts on 1 April 2017 as the SMSF annual return has still not been lodged and no extension to lodge has been requested.

The directors admit to the ATO case officer that they have not lodged because they are behind in the administration of the SMSF. For the 2014–2015 income year, it is found that the trustee has failed to: prepare the accounts and statements of the fund; appoint an approved SMSF auditor within the prescribed timeframe, and lodge the SMSF annual return.

Accordingly, in the 2014–2015 income year the trustee has contravened ss 35B, 35C and 35D of the SIS Act. As the contravention occurred after 1 July 2014, an education direction can be considered. Although an education direction may not be the most appropriate tool in this instance, as the trustee has lodged all previous annual returns on time, it appears that the trustee has knowledge of and is aware of the requirements.

It may be appropriate to issue a rectification notice to prepare the accounts and statements for the 2014–2015 income year, to provide the accounts and statements to an SMSF auditor and to lodge the 2014–2015 SMSF annual return.

Under s 166(1), the body corporate is liable for administrative penalties of $1,700 (10 penalty units) for contravening s 35B. Additionally the trustee is also liable for a failure to lodge penalty.

The trustee has lodged all other SMSF annual returns on time and has no prior contraventions. This is a first contravention and may warrant full remission of the administrative penalty.

Source: ATO speech, “The new administrative penalty regime: the ATO’s new stick”, Address to the Tax Institute National Superannuation Conference, Doltone House, Sydney, 20 August 2015, https://www.ato.gov.au/Media-centre/Speeches/Other/The-new-administrative-penalty-regime–the-ATO-s-new-stick/.

Find your small lost superannuation accounts

The Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No 4) Bill 2015 has been introduced. It proposes to amend the Superannuation (Unclaimed Money and Lost Members) Act 1999 to increase the account balance threshold below which small lost member accounts will be required to be transferred to the Commissioner of Taxation, ie from $2,000 to $4,000 from 31 December 2015, and from $4,000 to $6,000 from 31 December 2016.

Other amendments

The Bill also proposes the following amendments:

  • CGT scrip-for-scrip rollover integrity – makes amendments to improve the integrity of the scrip-for-scrip rollover in Subdiv 124-M of the ITAA 1997. Date of effect: applies in relation to CGT events that occur after 7.30pm (AEST) on 8 May 2012.
  • Government employees delivering overseas assistance – amends the income tax law by removing an income tax exemption which applied to employees of an Australian government agency who work overseas for not less than 91 continuous days in the delivery of Official Development Assistance. These employees will no longer be able to claim an income tax exemption on the income they earn while overseas. Date of effect: applies from 1 July 2016.

Source: Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No 4) Bill 2015 awaiting Royal Assent, before the House of Reps at the time of writing, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=BillId%3Ar5517%20Recstruct%3Abillhome.

Client Alert (October 2015)

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Excessive deduction claims on holiday homes on ATO hit list

The ATO is increasing its focus on holiday home investors and, in particular, whether they are correctly claiming deductible expenses. A key concern is when people make claims for expenses when the property was not available for rent. The ATO has recently advised that it will be sending letters to taxpayers in approximately 500 postcodes across Australia, reminding them to only claim the deductions they are entitled to, for the periods the holiday home was rented out or was genuinely available for rent.

TIP: Holiday home investors should be aware that the ATO appears to be taking a broad approach in monitoring rental deductions. Where relevant, it may be prudent for holiday home investors to take this opportunity to review the rules surrounding holiday home tax deductions to ensure that any risks or issues are addressed in a timely manner. It may also be a good idea to review records now so that you are prepared should the taxman come knocking. If you have any questions about this issue, please contact our office.

Foreign property investors – reduced penalty period ending

The ATO has reminded foreign investors that the reduced penalty period for possible breaches of Australia’s foreign investment rules for purchases of Australian real estate will close soon. The reduced penalty period is only available until 30 November 2015. From 1 December 2015, new criminal and civil penalties will apply. The ATO said if foreign investors disclose a breach of the rules for residential real estate purchases during the reduced penalty period, depending upon their circumstances, they may:

  • be given a concessional period of 12 months to divest themselves of the property, rather than a shorter period;
  • not be referred for criminal prosecution.

Payroll tax grouping – know the rules

For payroll tax purposes, businesses may be grouped with other businesses if there is a link between the companies. Businesses may be deemed linked in several ways. One of the most common ways is where two or more businesses are controlled by the same person or persons. However, there are specific exclusions under the payroll tax grouping rules which could apply for a business depending on the circumstances. This will require making an application to the relevant state or territory revenue authority.

When a group exists, only a single tax-free threshold will apply to the whole group. That is, the separate businesses themselves will not each have the benefit of the tax-free thresholds. Each member of the group will be liable for any outstanding payroll tax of the other group members. Therefore, it is important for businesses to identify whether they could be grouped for payroll tax purposes.

TIP: The potential eligibility for exclusion from the payroll tax grouping rules should be assessed. Furthermore, as business conditions may change and as part of the overall management of a business, it may be prudent to regularly examine your business’s payroll tax obligations.

No GST credits for mining accommodation

The Full Federal Court has dismissed a taxpayer’s appeal from an earlier decision which held it was not entitled to input tax credits for acquisitions relating to providing accommodation to employees and contractors working in the Pilbara.

The taxpayer, Rio Tinto Services Ltd, was the representative member of the Rio Tinto Ltd GST group, which carried on a large-scale mining enterprise in outback Australia. The group provided and maintained residential accommodation for its workforce in various locations, comprising some 2,300 houses and apartments. This was operated at a considerable loss, for example, in 2010 the taxpayer received $6.1 million in rent but the associated costs exceeded $38.8 million.

The case was conducted as a test case for GST paid in October 2010 on expenditure including construction and purchase of new housing, repairs, cleaning and landscaping. The taxpayer claimed it was entitled to input tax credits of nearly $600,000 for acquisitions made in providing and maintaining residential accommodation for the group’s workforce in the Pilbara region. It argued the housing for its workers were a necessary part of its mining operations.

The Full Federal Court said it was clear from the facts that all of the acquisitions related wholly to making supplies of rental residential accommodation. Although the supplies of accommodation were for the broader business purpose of carrying on the taxpayer’s mining operations, it said this did not alter the fact that the acquisitions all related to supplying premises by way of lease, which were input taxed supplies.

ATO’s proportionate compliance approach to SMSFs

From 1 July 2014 the ATO has three new regulatory compliance powers to deter and address contraventions of the superannuation law by trustees of self-managed super funds (SMSFs). These three new powers include the ability of the ATO to issue education directions, rectification directions and administrative penalties. The new laws were introduced to give the ATO more flexible and proportionate powers to deal with the various levels of noncompliant behaviour by trustees.

It is important for trustees to understand the ATO’s compliance approach to administrating the SMSF sector. A key message that the ATO has been communicating to all trustees is for them to rectify a breach as soon as it is identified. According to ATO Assistant Commissioner, SMSF Segment, Superannuation, Kasey Macfarlane, in these circumstances, the ATO would be “unlikely to apply further sanctions unless other factors are identified, such as if the same or similar contraventions frequently arose”.

Ms Macfarlane said the ATO uses “the new powers and penalties to drive compliance, not to increase revenue”. “So while you can expect to see us actively using the directions powers, in a large percentage of cases our application of SMSF administrative penalties will be more judicious, via favourable remission requests, for first offences,” she said.

Find your small lost superannuation accounts

A Bill has been introduced into Parliament which contains legislative amendments to increase the account balance threshold below which small lost member accounts will be required to be transferred to the Commissioner of Taxation, ie from $2,000 to $4,000 from 31 December 2015, and from $4,000 to $6,000 from 31 December 2016.

TIPS:

Moving all your super from multiple accounts into one account (known as “consolidating your super”) might help you to save on fees and make managing your super easier.

There may be sound reasons for maintaining a separate small superannuation account. It may be prudent to assess those reasons and, if those reasons are still valid, to take steps to ensure that you remain an active fund member.

Individuals are able to claim back their superannuation from the Commissioner at any time. Interest, calculated in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has been payable on unclaimed superannuation money repaid since 1 July 2013.

Please contact us for further information.

TaxWise Budget 2015-16

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TaxWise® 2015-16 FEDERAL BUDGET EDITION

The 2015-16 Federal Budget was handed down on 12 May 2015.

The intention of this Budget is to support small businesses and grow jobs, support families and ensure fairness of tax and benefits. At the same time, national security is being ensured as well as steadily repairing the budget in a measured way. The Treasurer, the Hon. Joe Hockey MP, stated that the Government is taking steps to continue to repair the budget “with sensible savings and a prudent approach to spending”.

The Budget mainly focuses on small businesses with aggregated turnover of less than $2 million and large businesses with global revenue of at least $1 billion. The main measures likely to affect you are outlined below. To ensure you know precisely how you may be affected by one or more of these measures, you should consult your tax adviser.

Budget measures affecting Individuals and Families

 

Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families and single seniors and pensioners increased

With effect from the 2014-15 year, the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families and single seniors and pensioners will be increased per the table below:

2014-15 2013-14
Singles $20,896 $20,542
Couples (no children) $35,261 $34,367
Single seniors and pensioners $33,044 $32,279

The additional amount of threshold for each dependent child or student will be increased to $3,238 (up from $3,156 for 2013-14).

The increase in these thresholds takes into account movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is to ensure that generally low-income taxpayers continue to be exempted from paying the Medicare levy.

Families package: reforms to child care system

The Budget contains a package of reforms to child care details of which are set out below.

Child Care Subsidy

From 2014-15, the Government will provide an additional $3.2 billion over five years to support families with child care needs. This is to help with getting parents back to work, to stay in work, and to undertake education and training or other recognised activities.

From 1 July 2017, a new Child Care Subsidy will be introduced to support families where both parents work. Families meeting the ‘activity test’ with annual incomes up to $60,000 will be eligible for a subsidy of 85% of the actual fee paid, up to an hourly fee cap. The subsidy will taper to 50% for eligible families with annual incomes of $165,000.

No annual cap will apply for families with annual incomes below $180,000. However, the Child Care Subsidy will be capped at $10,000 per child per year for families with incomes of $180,000 or more.

Parents must also do a minimum of eight hours a fortnight of work, study or training to qualify for any child care support.

The income threshold for the maximum subsidy will be indexed by CPI with other income thresholds aligned accordingly. Eligibility will be linked to the new ‘activity test’ to better align receipt of the subsidy with hours of work, study or other recognised activities.

The hourly fee cap in 2017-18 will be set at $11.55 for long day care, $10.70 for family day care, and $10.10 for outside school hours care. The hourly fee caps will also be indexed by CPI.

Also, a new Interim Home Based Carer Subsidy

Programme will subsidise care provided by a nanny in a child’s home from 1 January 2016. The pilot programme will extend fee assistance to the parents of approximately 10,000 children. Families selected to participate will be those who are having difficulty accessing child care with sufficient flexibility.

Support for families will be based on the Child Care Subsidy parameters, but with a fee cap of $7.00 per hour per child.

The Child Care Subsidy replaces the Child Care Benefit, Child Care Rebate and the Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance payments that will cease on 30 June 2017.

Child Care Safety Net

Additional support will be provided to eligible families through a Child Care Safety Net, providing targeted support to disadvantaged or vulnerable families to address barriers to accessing child care. This will be funded by $327.7 million over four years from 2015-16.

The Child Care Safety Net consists of three programmes:

  • the Additional Child Care Subsidy;
  • a new Inclusion Support Programme; and
  • the Community Child Care Fund.
  • The Child Care Safety Net replaces the Inclusion and Professional Support Programme (ceasing on 30 June 2016) and the Community Support Programme (ceasing on 30 June 2017).

Immunisation requirements for eligibility to Government payments

From 1 January 2016, children will have to fully meet immunisation requirements, that is be up-to-date with all childhood immunisations, before their families can access subsidised child care payments or the Family Tax Benefit Part A end-of-year supplement.

Exemptions will only apply for medical reasons.

Accessing parental leave pay from both employer and Government

From 1 July 2016, individuals will no longer be able to access Government assistance in the form of the existing Parental Leave Pay (PLP) scheme, in addition to any employer-provided parental leave entitlements.

Currently, individuals are able to ‘double-dip’ and access Government assistance in the form of PLP as well as any employer-provided parental leave entitlements.

The Government will ensure that all primary carers would have access to parental leave payments that are at least equal to the maximum PLP benefit (currently 18 weeks at the national minimum wage). This will save the Government $967.7 million over four years through this measure.

End of Family Tax Benefit Part A large family supplement

From 1 July 2016, the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A large family supplement will cease.

Families will continue to receive a ‘per child’ rate of FTB Part A for each eligible child in their family.

Family Tax Benefit Part A reduced portability

From 1 January 2016, families will only be able to receive Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A for six weeks in a 12-month period while they are overseas.

Currently, FTB Part A recipients who are overseas are able to receive their usual rate of payment for six weeks and then the base rate for a further 50 weeks.

Portability extension and exception provisions which allow longer portability under special circumstances will continue to apply.

Pension reforms not proceeding

The Government will not be proceeding with elements of the 2014-15 Budget measure “Maintain eligibility thresholds for Australian Government payments for three years” that relate to the pension income test free areas and deeming thresholds.

The Government proposal was to change how it deems the return from a person’s financial assets for the purposes of the pension active test. The deeming thresholds were to be reset from $46,000 to $30,000 for single pensioners and from $77,400 to $50,000 for pensioner couples from 1 September 2017. Instead, the pension income test free areas and deeming thresholds will continue to be indexed annually by CPI.

Modernising the methods used for calculating work-related car expense deductions

The methods of calculating work-related car expense deductions will be modernised from the 2015-16 income year.

This involves removing:

  • the ‘12% of original value method’; and
  • the ‘one-third of actual expenses method’

as these methods are used by less than 2% of those who claim work-related car expenses.

Remaining methods

The ‘cents per kilometre method’ will be modernised by replacing the three current rates based on engine size with one rate set at 66 cents per kilometre to apply for all motor vehicles, with the Commissioner of Taxation responsible for updating the rate in following years.

The ‘logbook method’ of calculating expenses will be retained.

These changes will not affect leasing and salary sacrifice arrangements and will better align car expense deductions with the average costs of operating a motor vehicle.

Zone tax offset to exclude “fly-in fly-out” and “drive-in drive-out” workers

From 1 July 2015, the zone tax offset will exclude ‘fly-in fly-out’ and ‘drive-in drive-out’ (FIFO) workers where their normal residence is not within a ‘zone’.

The zone tax offset is a concessional tax offset available to individuals in recognition of the isolation, uncongenial climate and high cost of living associated with living in identified locations.

The specified remote areas of Australia covered by the zone tax offset are comprised of two zones, Zone A and Zone B. In general, Zone A comprises those areas where the factors of isolation, uncongenial climate and the high cost of living are more pronounced and Zone B comprises the less badly affected areas. The tax offset for ordinary Zone A residents is accordingly higher than the tax offset for ordinary Zone B residents. A special category of zone allowances is available to taxpayers residing in particularly isolated areas (‘special areas’) within either zone.

Eligibility is based on defined geographic zones and residing or working in a specified remote area for more than 183 days in an income year. However, it is estimated around 20% of claimants do not actually live full-time in the zones.

The changes will better target the zone tax offset to taxpayers who have taken up genuine residence within the zones. This will align the zone tax offset with the original policy intent, which was to support genuine residents of zones. For those FIFO workers whose normal residence is in one zone, but who work in a different zone, they will retain the zone tax offset entitlement associated with their normal place of residence.

Changes to tax residency rules for temporary working holiday makers

From 1 July 2016, the tax residency rules will be changed to treat most people who are temporarily in Australia for a working holiday as non-residents for tax purposes, regardless of how long they are here. This means they will be taxed at 32.5% from their first dollar of income.

Currently, a working holiday maker can be treated as a resident for tax purposes if they satisfy the tax residency rules, typically that they are in Australia for more than six months. This means they are able to access resident tax treatment, including the tax-free threshold, the low income tax offset and the lower tax rate of 19% for income above the tax-free threshold up to $37,000.

Income tax relief for Australian Defence Force personnel deployed overseas

Income tax relief will be provided for Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operations AUGURY and HAWICK.

A full income tax exemption will be provided to personnel on Operation AUGURY, and the overseas forces tax offset will be available to personnel on Operation HAWICK.

Removal of Government employee income tax exemption

From 1 July 2016, the income tax exemption that is currently available to Government employees who earn income while delivering Official Development Assistance overseas for more than 90 continuous days will be removed.

This measure will remove the inconsistent taxation of Government employees delivering Official Development Assistance overseas by ensuring that their foreign earnings are treated as assessable income in Australia.

Australian Defence Force and Australian Federal Police personnel and individuals delivering Official Development Assistance for a charity or private sector contracting firm will remain eligible for the exemption.

The ‘Small Business’ package of Budget measures

Small business tax rate cuts

There are cuts to the tax rate for small businesses which will apply from the 2015-16 income year.

Incorporated Entities

The tax rate for companies with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million will be reduced by 1.5% (ie from 30% to 28.5%) from the 2015-16 income year. However, the maximum franking credit rate for a distribution will remain at 30%.

Unincorporated entities

For sole traders and individuals who earn business income from a partnership or trust with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million, a 5% tax discount (provided as a tax offset) will be introduced and capped at $1,000 per individual.

Small business accelerated depreciation changes

From Budget Night (starting 7.30pm (AEST) 12 May 2015), the threshold below which small businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the cost of an asset they start to use or install ready for use will be temporarily increased from $1,000 to $20,000. This will apply to assets acquired and installed ready for use from Budget Night through to 30 June 2017.

Only small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million are eligible.

Assets valued at $20,000 or more that cannot be immediately deducted can be included in the entity’s small business simplified depreciation pool and depreciated at 15% in the first income year and 30% each income year thereafter, in the same way the rules currently apply for assets costing $1,000 or more.

Also, the balance in the small business simplified depreciation pool will be able to be immediately deducted if it is less than $20,000 (including an existing pool).

The rules currently preventing a small business using the simplified depreciation regime for five years if it opts out of the regime will also be suspended until 30 June 2017.

While small businesses can access the simplified depreciation regime for a majority of capital assets, certain assets are not eligible (such as horticultural plants and in-house software) for which specific depreciation rules apply.

  • Note that from 1 July 2017, the $20,000 threshold for the immediate deduction of assets and the value of the pool will revert back down to $1,000.

Immediate deduction for business establishment costs

From the 2015-16 income year, an immediate deduction will be available for professional expenses that are associated with starting a new business, such as professional, legal and accounting advice or legal expenses to establish a company, trust or partnership.

Under the current laws, these expenses can only be deducted over a five year period.

CGT relief reforms for small business restructures

From the 2016-17 income year, small businesses with an aggregated turnover of $2 million or less may change the legal structure of their business without attracting a capital gains tax (CGT) liability. This measure recognises that new small businesses may initially choose a legal structure that no longer suits them once their business is more established. They will be able to change their legal structure without being hampered by potential CGT implications.

Currently, CGT roll-over relief is only available to individuals, trustees or partners in a partnership who incorporate. This new measure provides CGT relief to many more entities.

Broader FBT exemption for portable electronic devices

The fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for work-related portable electronic devices used primarily for work purposes will be expanded from 1 April 2016.

Small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million that provide their employees with more than one qualifying work-related portable electronic device will be able to access the FBT exemption even if the additional items have substantially similar functions as the first device.

The current FBT exemption may only apply to more than one portable electronic device if the devices perform substantially different functions. This measure should help alleviate the confusion around which device is eligible for exemption from FBT where there is an overlap of functions (for example between a tablet and a laptop).

Measures encouraging new businesses

In order to encourage new businesses and entrepreneurship:

  • business registration processes will be streamlined with a single online portal (business.gov.au) developed for business and company registration, making it much easier to register a new business.

A new business will no longer need an Australian Company Number or business Tax File Number. It will be able to use its Australian Business Number to interact with the ATO and ASIC. The new portal (expected to be implemented by mid-2016) will provide all the relevant information clearly and will have integrated customer support; and

  • a regulatory framework to facilitate the use of crowd-source equity funding will be implemented, including simplified reporting and disclosure requirements, to help small businesses access innovative funding sources.

Employee share schemes: further changes

With effect from 1 July 2015, further minor technical changes will be made to the taxation of employee share schemes (ESS) to make ESS more accessible, by:

  • excluding eligible venture capital investments from the aggregated turnover test and grouping rules (for the start-up concession);
  • providing the CGT discount to ESS interests that are subject to the start-up concession where options are converted into shares and the resulting shares are sold within 12 months of exercise; and
  • allowing the Commissioner of Taxation to exercise discretion in relation to the minimum three-year holding period where there are circumstances outside the employee’s control that make it impossible for them to meet this criterion.

Accelerated depreciation for water facilities, fodder storage and fencing helping farmers prepare for drought

All primary producers will be able to immediately deduct capital expenditure on fencing and water facilities such as dams, tanks, bores, irrigation channels, pumps, water towers and windmills for income years commencing on or after 1 July 2016.

Primary producers will also be allowed to depreciate over three years all capital expenditure on fodder storage assets such as silos and tanks used to store grain and other animal feed. Currently, the effective life for fences is up to 30 years, water facilities is three years and fodder storage assets is up to 50 years.

The measure is aimed at improving resilience for those primary producers who face drought, assisting with cash flow and reducing red tape by removing the need for primary producers to track expenditure over time. It will form part of the Government’s White Paper on Agricultural Competitiveness.

Changes to Superannuation

Lost and unclaimed superannuation

From 1 July 2016, the Government will implement a package of measures to reduce red tape for superannuation funds and individuals by removing redundant reporting obligations and by streamlining administrative arrangements for lost and unclaimed superannuation. The cost of implementing the measures will be met from within the existing resources of the ATO.

 

Release of superannuation for a terminal medical condition

From 1 July 2015, terminally ill patients will be able to access superannuation early.

Currently, patients must have two medical practitioners (including a specialist) certify that they are likely to die within one year to gain unrestricted tax-free access to their superannuation balance.

The Government will change this period to two years, giving terminally ill patients earlier access to their superannuation.

Supervisory levies to increase

The Government will raise additional revenue of $46.9 million over four years from 2015-16 by increasing the supervisory levies paid by financial institutions. This should fully recover the cost of superannuation activities undertaken by the ATO and the Department of Human Services, consistent with the Government’s cost recovery guidelines.

Changes to GST

GST extended to offshore supplies of services and intangibles to Australian consumers

From 1 July 2017, offshore supplies of services and intangibles to Australian consumers will be subject to GST.

Exposure Draft legislation was released on Budget Night which extends the scope of the GST to offshore supplies of services and intangibles to Australian consumers. That is, all supplies of things other than goods or real property will be ‘connected with the indirect tax zone’ (ie Australia) where they are made to Australian consumers. This will result in supplies of digital products, such as streaming or downloading of movies, music, apps, games, e-books as well as other services such as consultancy and professional services receiving similar GST treatment whether they are supplied by a local or foreign supplier.

The purpose of this measure is to ensure Australia’s GST revenue base does not erode over time as the number of foreign digital suppliers rises.

Responsibility for GST liability arising under the amendments may be shifted from the supplier to the operator of an electronic distribution service in certain circumstances where the operator controls any of the key elements of the supply such as delivery, charging or terms and conditions. Shifting responsibility for GST liability to operators is aimed at minimising compliance costs as operators are generally better placed to comply and ensure that digital goods and services sourced in a similar manner are taxed in a similar way. These amendments are broadly modelled on similar rules currently in operation in the European Union and Norway.

A modified GST registration and remittance scheme for entities making supplies that are only connected with the ‘indirect tax zone’ as a result of the amendments will also be implemented.

This change will require the unanimous agreement of the States and Territories before enactment of legislation.

Reverse charge rules for going concerns and farmland sales not proceeding

The previously announced measure to replace the current GST-free treatment for supplies of going concerns and certain farmland sales with a reverse charge mechanism will not proceed.

This measure was intended to reduce the compliance burden for taxpayers. However, during design of the implementation of this measure, it became apparent that proceeding with this measure would have resulted in adverse consequences for taxpayers.

FBT and Meal Entertainment

FBT: meal and entertainment for not-for-profit employees

From 1 April 2016, a separate, single grossed-up cap of $5,000 will be introduced for salary sacrificed meal entertainment and entertainment facility leasing expenses (meal entertainment benefits) for employees of not-for-profits. Meal entertainment benefits exceeding the separate grossed-up cap of $5,000 can also be counted in calculating whether an employee exceeds their existing FBT exemption or rebate cap. All use of meal entertainment benefits will become reportable.

Currently, employees of public benevolent institutions and health promotion charities have a standard $30,000 FBT exemption cap (this will be $31,177 for the first year of the measure, due to the Temporary Budget Repair Levy that is currently in place) and employees of public and not-for-profit hospitals and public ambulance services have a standard $17,000 FBT exemption cap (this will be $17,667 for the first year).

In addition to these FBT exemptions, these employees can salary sacrifice meal entertainment benefits with no FBT payable by the employer and without it being reported. Employees of rebatable not-for-profit organisations can also salary sacrifice meal entertainment benefits, but the employers only receive a partial FBT rebate, up to a standard $30,000 cap ($31,177 for the first year).

The aim of this measure is to improve integrity in the tax system by introducing a limit on the use of these benefits.

 

Luxury Car Tax change

Luxury car tax exemption for endorsed public museums and art galleries

Public museums and public art galleries that have been endorsed by the Commissioner of Taxation as deductible gift recipients will be allowed to acquire cars free of luxury car tax. The measure will only be in respect of cars acquired for the purpose of public display, consigned to the collection and not used for private purposes. This measure will have effect from the date of Royal Assent of the enabling legislation.

 

Cutting ‘red tape’ and funding the IGT

ATO reforms to cut ‘red tape’

An additional $130.9 million will be provided to the ATO over four years (including capital of $35.6 million) to deliver an improved experience for clients.

Red tape will be reduced and future administrative savings delivered through investment in three initiatives:

  • a digital-by-default service for providing information and making payments;
  • improvements to data and analytics infrastructure; and
  • enhancing streamlined income tax returns through the MyTax system for taxpayers with more complex tax affairs.

Additional funding for the Inspector-General

The Government will provide at least $14.6 million over five years to the Inspector-General of Taxation’s (IGT) office to support its operations. This funding is in addition to the 2014-15 Budget funding to the IGT in relation to the transfer of tax complaints handling.

 

Budget measures affecting Large Businesses

A raft of measures affecting large businesses were also announced in the Budget. These are summarised below:

For companies with global revenue of $1 billion or more

  • A targeted multinational anti-avoidance law will be introduced into the general anti-avoidance provisions.
  • The maximum administrative penalties that apply to companies that enter into tax avoidance and profit shifting will be doubled.
  • The OECD’s new transfer pricing documentation standards will be implemented from 1 January 2016.

Other measures combatting multinational tax avoidance

  • A voluntary corporate disclosure code will be developed to facilitate greater compliance with the tax system.
  • The Government will also tackle treaty abuse in its treaty practices, consult on the development of anti-hybrid rules, exchange information with other countries on harmful tax practices, and further fund the ATO’s profit-shifting investigations.

Other measures

  • The reforms to modernise the Offshore Banking Unit (OBU) regime and targeted integrity measures will proceed.
  • The start date of the new managed investment trusts (MITs) regime has been deferred to 1 July 2016 but MITs can choose to apply the new regime from 1 July 2015.

TaxWise® News is distributed by professional tax practitioners to provide information of general interest to their clients. The content of this newsletter does not constitute specific advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their tax adviser for advice on specific matters.

Client Alert – Federal Budget Edition (May 2015)

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PERSONAL TAXATION

Personal tax rates: budget deficit levy not to be extended

The 2015–2016 Budget did not make any changes to the current personal tax rates, although in the lead-up to the Budget, the Treasurer indicated that the 2% budget deficit levy (tax) on incomes over $180,000 would not be extended beyond its initial three years.

The levy was announced in last year’s Budget and applies for three years from 1 July 2014. It is due to cease at the end of the 2016–2017 financial year.

Work-related car expenses simplified

The Budget confirmed that the 12% of original value and one-third of actual expenses incurred methods would be discontinued. That means only the cents per km and logbook methods remain. The Government will set 66 cents per kilometre as the rate for using the cents per km method, irrespective of a car’s engine size. The changes will apply from the 2015–2016 income year.

Medicare levy low-income thresholds for 2014–2015

From the 2014–2015 income year, the Medicare levy low-income threshold for singles will be increased to $20,896 (up from $20,542 for 2013–2014). For couples with no children, the threshold will be increased to $35,261 (up from $34,367 for 2013–2014). The additional amount of threshold for each dependent child or student will be increased to $3,238 (up from $3,156).

For single seniors and pensioners, the Medicare levy low-income threshold will be increased to $33,044 (up from $32,279). This threshold applies to those entitled to the seniors and pensioners tax offset (SAPTO).
The measure will apply from 1 July 2014.

Temporary working holiday makers – tax residency rules to change

The Government will change the tax residency rules to treat most people who are temporarily in Australia for a working holiday as non-residents for tax purposes, regardless of how long they are here. This means they will be taxed at 32.5% from their first dollar of income.

This measure will apply from 1 July 2016.

 

SMALL BUSINESS

Tax rate cut to 28.5%

The Government announced, with effect from the 2015–2016 income year (ie from 1 July 2015), a 1.5% cut in the company tax rate applying to small businesses (turnover less than $2 million), reducing the tax rate to 28.5%. Companies with an aggregated annual turnover of $2 million or above will continue to be subject to the current 30% rate on all their taxable income. The current maximum franking credit rate for a distribution will remain unchanged at 30% for all companies.

Tax discount for unincorporated small businesses

The Government said that with effect from 1 July 2015 individual taxpayers with business income from an unincorporated business that has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million will be eligible for a small business tax discount. The discount will be 5% of the income tax payable on the business income received from an unincorporated small business entity, and will be capped at $1,000 per individual for each income year.

Small business asset accelerated depreciation write-off

Small businesses would be able to immediately write off assets they start to use or install ready for use, provided the asset costs less than $20,000. This will apply for assets acquired and installed ready for use between 7.30pm (AEST) 12 May 2015 and 30 June 2017. Assets valued at $20,000 or more (which cannot be immediately deducted) can continue to be placed in the small business simplified depreciation pool. The Government will also suspend the current “lock out” laws for the simplified depreciation rules until 30 June 2017.

From 1 July 2017, the thresholds for the immediate depreciation of assets and the value of the pool will revert to existing arrangements.

Immediate deductibility for professional expenses re start-ups

The Government will allow businesses to immediately deduct a range of professional expenses associated with starting a new business, such as professional, legal and accounting advice. The measure will be available to businesses from the 2015–2016 income year.

CGT rollover relief for change to entity structure

The Government has confirmed that it will allow small businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million to change legal structure without attracting a CGT liability at that point.

The measure recognises that new small businesses might choose an initial legal structure that they later find does not suit them when the business is more established, for example a sole trader changing its business structure to a trust. The measure will be available from the 2016–2017 income year.

No FBT on work-related electronic devices

From 1 April 2016, ie the start of the 2016–2017 FBT year, the Government will allow an FBT exemption for small businesses that provide employees with more than one qualifying work-related portable electronic device, even where the items have substantially similar functions.

Further ESS changes

Significant changes to the employee share schemes (ESS) rules were announced in October 2014. Additional changes announced in the Budget will:

  • exclude eligible venture capital investments from the aggregated turnover test and grouping rules (for the start-up concession);
  • provide the CGT discount to employee share scheme interests that are subject to the start-up concession, where options are converted into shares and the resulting shares are sold within
    12 months of exercise; and
  • allow the Commissioner to exercise a discretion in relation to the minimum three-year holding period where there are circumstances outside the employee’s control that make it impossible for them to meet this criterion.

These changes will take effect from 1 July 2015.

 

GST

“Netflix tax” to start 1 July 2017

The Government has announced that it will impose GST on offshore intangible supplies to Australian consumers with effect from 1 July 2017. The measure has been cited in the media as the “Netflix” tax. The Government released draft legislation which contains the details of the changes.

The key concept in determining if a supply is made to an Australian consumer is determining if the entity is an Australian resident. Broadly, for individuals, the term takes its ordinary meaning. Similarly, a company will be an Australian resident if the company is incorporated in Australia or if it is effectively owned or controlled by Australian residents.

 

CHILD CARE AND PENSION/WELFARE MEASURES

Major childcare payments revamp

The Government announced it will establish a new and simpler mainstream Child Care Subsidy from 1 July 2017. Key points include the following:

  • Abolition of the current Child Care Benefit, Child Care Rebate and Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance programmes.
  • A single means tested Child Care Subsidy for all families, subject to a new activity test, for up to 100 hours of subsidised care per child per fortnight.

Child care subsidies will remain linked to immunisation requirements strengthened, from 1 January 2016, under the Government’s “no jab, no pay” policy.

Paid parental leave – no double-dipping

The Treasurer said the Government will stop people from claiming parental leave payments from both the Government and their employers – he said this was effectively double dipping. This would apply from
1 July 2016.

Age Pension assets test: threshold increased, taper rate tightened

The Government confirmed that the Age Pension assets test threshold for a single homeowner will be increased to $250,000 (up from $202,000) and $375,000 for a homeowner couple (up from $286,500) from January 2017. The assets test threshold (or assets free area) for non-homeowners will be increased to $450,000 (single) and $575,000 (couple).

The assets test taper rate at which the Age Pension begins to phase out will be increased from $1.50 of pension per fortnight to $3.00 of pension for each $1,000 of assets over the relevant assets test threshold. The measures will commence from
1 January 2017.

The Government will also be dropping its 2014 Budget proposal to index the Age Pension to CPI.

 

SUPERANNUATION

Defined benefit super schemes: Government to close loophole

The Government confirmed that a 10% cap will apply to the “deductible amount” for pension income received from a defined benefit superannuation scheme for the purposes of the social security income test. Recipients of Veterans’ Affairs pensions and defined benefit income streams paid by military superannuation funds are exempt from this measure. In addition, the measure will not affect the means test treatment of income streams purchased for retail providers of these products. The measure will apply from 1 January 2016.

 

Important: This is not advice. Clients should not act solely on the basis of the material contained in this Bulletin. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice per se. Also changes in legislation may occur quickly. We therefore recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas. The Bulletin is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information. Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our prior approval.

Tax Wise Individual News (April 2015)

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IN THIS ISSUE
Medicare Levy Surcharge and Private Health Insurance Rebate

Superannuation guarantee rateSuper contributions caps

Changes to superannuation excess concessional contribution cap

Are you paying super fund fees unnecessarily?

Time limits for Family Assistance lump sum payments

Dabbling in Bitcoin? What’s the ‘tax’ story?

What’s the ATO’s view of GST and crowdfunding?

Are you in a partnership?

Correcting arrangements involving private companies and shareholders and their associates

Nil activity statements must be lodged

If you work in the building and construction industry

Do you own a rental property?

Selling or closing down a business

ATO Updates

The Privacy Commissioner and the Tax File Number privacy rule

Medicare Levy Surcharge and Private Health Insurance Rebate

Income thresholds
Legislation was passed in October 2014 to pause for three years the income thresholds which determine the tiers for the Medicare levy surcharge and government rebate on private health insurance from the 2015-16 financial year. Usually the income amounts would be increased by an indexed amount, but this is not going to happen for the next three years. The tables below set out the income levels for singles and families and confirm the income amounts will remain the same from the 2015 to the 2018 income years:

 

Singles

Income Year Base Tier Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
2013-14 $88,000 or less $88,001 – $102,000 $102,001 – $136,000 $136,001 or more
2014-15 $90,000 or less $90,001 – $105,000 $105,001 – $140,000 $140,001 or more
2015-16 $90,000 or less $90,001 – $105,000 $105,001 – $140,000 $140,001 or more
2016-17 $90,000 or less $90,001 – $105,000 $105,001 – $140,000 $140,001 or more
2017-18 $90,000 or less $90,001 – $105,000 $105,001 – $140,000 $140,001 or more

 

Family

Income Year Base Tier Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
2013-14 $176,000 or less $176,001 – $204,000 $204,001 – $272,000 $272,001 or more
2014-15 $180,000 or less $180,001 – $210,000 $210,001 – $280,000 $280,001 or more
2015-16 $180,000 or less $180,001 – $210,000 $210,001 – $280,000 $280,001 or more
2016-17 $180,000 or less $180,001 – $210,000 $210,001 – $280,000 $280,001 or more
2017-18 $180,000 or less $180,001 – $210,000 $210,001 – $280,000 $280,001 or more

It is anticipated indexation to increase the income amounts will begin again from the 2018-19 income year.

Private health insurance rebate percentage

From 1 April each year, the private health insurance rebate percentages for premiums paid will be subject to an annual adjustment. The rebate adjustment factor is based on a formula that uses the Consumer Price Index and the average annual increase in premiums. The first annual adjustment occurred on 1 April 2014.

This means there will be two different rebates to enter in your tax return for each tax year:

  • from 1 July 2014 to 31 March 2015, and
  • from 1 April 2015 to 30 June 2015.

These different rebates appear on your private health insurance statement as two separate lines. Both must be entered on your tax return.

The rebate amount for the period 1 July 2014 to 31 March 2015 is:

Age range Base Tier Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Under 65 years 29.04% 19.36% 9.68% 0%
65 – 69 years 33.88% 24.20% 14.52% 0%
70 years and over 38.72% 29.04% 19.36% 0%

Please note: We are awaiting the private health insurance rebate percentages for the period 1 April 2015 to 30 June 2015. We expect to receive these in April and will send them to you as soon as they are released.

Private health insurance rebate – reversal of amendments

The ATO has advised that it regularly matches data with health insurers to identify taxpayers who received the private health insurance (PHI) rebate through reduced premiums and have also claimed them in their income tax return. When this double claim occurs, the ATO automatically amends the taxpayer’s assessment to remove the rebate.

The ATO has reviewed amendments to reverse double claims for the PHI rebate and has identified some that have been made outside the taxpayer’s period of review.

The ATO says that in limited circumstances an assessment may be amended at any time to give effect to the provisions that relate to the PHI rebate.

The ATO has advised that if there are taxpayers affected, the ATO will write to the taxpayer’s registered contact (this could be your tax agent) about this decision and tell them a notice of amended assessment will issue soon. If you have been affected by this, you may have already received a notice of amended assessment, in which case, you should talk to your tax agent about it.

Medicare Levy Surcharge amounts

The following Medicare Levy surcharge amounts apply for the 2014-15 Income Year depending on which income tier you fall into (refer to the income tables above):

Income Tier Base Tier Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
Surcharge amount 0% 1% 1.25% 1.5%

To do!
Completing your private health insurance rebate information in your tax return has become a little tricky with the introduction of an annual adjustment on 1 April for the private health insurance rebate percentages as now you have double the information to include in your return. See your tax agent for help in completing this part of return.

Superannuation guarantee rate

Previous editions of TaxWise have noted the change in the superannuation guarantee rate amounts. The rates have been included again as, if you are an employee, you should make sure your employer is contributing the right amount into your superannuation account:

Year Superannuation guarantee rate percentage
From 1 July 2013 9.25%
From 1 July 2014 9.5%
From 1 July 2015 9.5%
From 1 July 2016 9.5%
From 1 July 2017 9.5%
From 1 July 2018 9.5%
From 1 July 2019 9.5%
From 1 July 2020 9.5%
From 1 July 2021 10%
From 1 July 2022 10.5%
From 1 July 2023 11%
From 1 July 2024 11.5%
From 1 July 2025 12%
  Note!
 Check you are getting the right amount of super being paid into your super fund.

per contributions caps

With the super guarantee rate having changed, it is worth remembering what the contributions caps are as well.
The concessional contributions general cap includes:

  • employer contributions (including contributions made under a salary sacrifice arrangement);
  • personal contributions claimed as a tax deduction by a self-employed person.

The non-concessional contributions cap includes personal contributions for which you do not claim an income tax deduction.

Both of these are noted in the table below.

Income year Concessional contributions
general cap		 Non-concessional
contributions cap
2014-15 $30,000** $180,000
2015-16 $30,000 $180,000

**If you are 49 years old or over on 30 June 2014, the concessional contributions cap is temporarily increased for the 2014-15 income year to $35,000. This cap is not indexed and will cease to apply when the indexed cap that otherwise applies reaches $35,000.

Changes to superannuation excess concessional contribution cap

From 1 July 2013, if you exceed your concessional contributions cap, the excess amount will be included in your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate. An interest charge also applies.

You can choose to release out of your super fund up to 85% of the excess contribution made if you complete an election form. If you do elect to release an amount, the ATO will issue your super fund with an ‘excess concessional contributions release authority’. Your super fund must pay the amount to be released to the ATO (as well as return the release authority statement) within 7 days.

The released amount must be paid directly to the ATO and is to be treated as a non-assessable, non-exempt benefit payment to the member.

To do!
It is worth checking your super fund account to ensure no excess contributions have gone in, or if they have, considering whether you want to withdraw them. Talk to your tax agent if you are unsure whether the right amount of super has been paid into your account.

Amendment to taxing excess super contributions

Following on from the above, the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No 7) Bill 2014 amends some provisions that relate to the taxation of excess super contributions to:

  • provide individuals with an option to be taxed on the earnings associated with their excess superannuation non-concessional contribution at their marginal tax rate;
  • ensure that individuals whose superannuation benefits are involuntarily transferred from one superannuation plan to another plan are not disadvantaged through the transfer; and
  • remove the need for a roll-over benefit statement to be provided to an individual whose superannuation benefits are involuntarily transferred, and allow taxation officers to record or disclose personal information in certain circumstances.

If you are concerned you have made excess contributions to your super fund, speak to your tax agent about whether you are likely to be affected by any of these recent changes.

The Bill received Royal Assent on 19 March 2015.

Are you paying super fund fees unnecessarily?

The ATO noted in a recent media release that Australians with multiple superannuation accounts could be paying thousands of dollars in unnecessary fees every year. According to new figures released by the ATO, 45% of working Australians have more than one superannuation account.

The ATO is encouraging taxpayers with multiple accounts to consider consolidating their superannuation into one preferred account. Australian Prudential and Regulation Authority (APRA) figures show the median figure for fees and charges paid by Australians for a low cost superannuation account is $532 per year.

To do!
Do you have multiple super fund accounts and are wasting money on unnecessarily paying fees in all the funds? If so, it is time to combine all your super into one account. Your tax agent can help you to do this.

Time limits for Family Assistance lump sum payments

If you want to claim any of the following family assistance payments for the 2014 financial year, you must lodge your claim with the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) by 30 June 2015 to be eligible:

  • Family Tax Benefit
  • Child Care Benefit
  • Single Income Family Supplement (SIFS).

Your tax agent will be able to help you make this claim.

Dabbling in Bitcoin? What’s the ‘tax’ story?

On 17 December 2014, the ATO issued its position on how it will treat Bitcoin, a digital currency, for tax purposes. The ATO’s views are:

Income Tax

  • Bitcoin is not a ‘foreign currency’ for the purposes of the income tax law because the ATO does not view Bitcoin as currency or foreign currency in the context in which those terms operate for the purpose of the Australian tax law (TD 2014/25).
  • Bitcoin is a ‘CGT asset’ for the purposes of the income tax law as it is regarded as ‘property’ for the purpose of the tax law (TD 2014/26).
  • Bitcoin is trading stock when held for the purpose of sale or exchange in the ordinary course of a business because it is regarded as property for tax purposes (TD 2014/27).

FBT

  • The provision of Bitcoin by an employer to an employee in respect of their employment is a property fringe benefit (TD 2014/28).

GST

  • A transfer of Bitcoin from one entity to another is a ‘supply’ for GST purposes. The exclusion from the definition of supply for supplies of money does not apply to Bitcoin because Bitcoin is not ‘money’ for the purposes of the GST Act.
  • The supply of bitcoin is not a ‘financial supply’ nor an input taxed supply.
  • A supply of bitcoin is a taxable supply if the requirements under the GST Act are met.
  • A supply of bitcoin in exchange for goods or services will be treated as a barter transaction.
  • Bitcoin is not goods and cannot be the subject of a taxable importation. However, an offshore supply of Bitcoin can be a taxable supply under the ‘reverse charge’ rules.
  • An acquisition of Bitcoin will not give rise to input tax credits under the provisions of the GST Act which allow input tax credits for certain acquisitions of second-hand goods.
  • A supply of Bitcoin is not a supply of a voucher.

(See GSTR 2014/3)

The reasoning behind the ATO’s positions is very technical. If you are interested to understand more about it, your tax adviser will be able to tell you more.

Note!
If you are dabbling in Bitcoin, beware the possible tax implications for you.Also, at the time of writing, there is a Senate committee conducting an inquiry into how Australia should regulate digital currency, including how the tax system should treat digital currency, such as Bitcoin. The tax treatment for Bitcoin could potentially change pending the outcome of the inquiry due to report in August this year.

What’s the ATO’s view of GST and crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding involves using the internet and social media to raise funds for specific projects or particular business ventures. For ATO information about the GST treatment of crowdfunding, go to the ATO’s website.

Are you in a partnership?

In November last year, the ATO issued an addendum to Taxation Ruling TR 2005/7:

  • TR 2005/7A1 – Income tax: the taxation implications of ‘partnership salary’ agreements

The addendum amends the ruling to include the taxation consequences of a partner’s salary where the partnership is a corporate limited partnership.

As a result, ATO ID 2002/564 (Income Tax Partner Salary in A Corporate Limited Partnership) has been withdrawn.

If you are in a partnership, this change might affect you. Talk to your tax adviser to see if you are affected in any way.

Correcting arrangements involving private companies and shareholders and their associates

Recently, the ATO published on its website information about what to do if a private company has, for example, made a loan to a shareholder that is a ‘deemed dividend’ for tax purposes. A taxpayer can take corrective action by, for example, putting the right loan documentation in place, to ensure that the amount is not captured by the ‘deemed dividend’ rules (colloquially known as “Division 7A”).

Your tax agent will be able to assist you if you have any concerns about loans or other arrangements you may have in place with a private company, so it is always best to consult your tax professional for help with these sorts of things.

Note!
If you have a loan from a private company, check with your tax adviser to see if you need to take any corrective action.

Nil activity statements must be lodged

If you have Activity Statements to lodge, even if your Activity Statement is nil for a particular period, the Activity Statement still needs to be lodged. Failure to lodge an activity statement, even one with zero obligations, may delay processing and result in penalties.

It is good to stay on top of these obligations and obtain the assistance of your tax agent to ensure you lodge your Activity Statement on time, every time.

Tip!
The ATO has published some tips for getting your Activity Statement right which you can find on the ATO website.

If you work in the building and construction industry

The ATO has published the following information about the taxable payments reporting obligations of persons in the building and construction industry:

Do you own a rental property?

The ATO has advised that it has redeveloped the letters it is sending to agents and taxpayers regarding reviews of rental legal and/or borrowing expense claims to make the letter clearer. In feedback, the ATO was asked to provide information on the specific area of the expense claims it is reviewing. The re-drafted letters now identify:

  • return label and amounts in question;
  • the proposed adjustments;
  • what to do in the event of a disagreement; and
  • where to find relevant information on ato.gov.au about what can be claimed, including QR reader codes to scan for smart phones or tablets.
To Do!
You should see your tax adviser if you have a rental property and receive one of these letters.

Selling or closing down a business

If you are selling or closing down a business, there are some important tax obligations for the business that you should attend to, such as:

  • ensuring all outstanding Activity Statements and returns (income tax, FBT) have been lodged;
  • put in all requests for any refunds owed to your business;
  • cancel any PAYG withholding registrations for the business; and
  • cancel the business’ ABN (which should also result in the cancellation of other registrations such as GST).

More information can be found on the ATO’s website.

ATO Updates

Are you a director of a company?

The ATO advises that it has created a new page on its website with information about the director penalty regime, which is all about what happens when a company deducts PAYG withholding amounts from its employees’ salaries and wages, but fails to remit those amounts to the ATO. To access the page, go to the ATO website

Deductibility of working with children checks

The ATO advises that the requirement for people to obtain a Working with Children check will be introduced in NSW and exists in many other states. For information about when the cost of a working with children check is deductible, check the ATO website.

GST – avoiding common errors

For ATO advice about avoiding common errors that may occur when completing activity statements, accounting for GST and claiming GST credits, go to the ATO website

Farm management deposits scheme

For ATO information about the farm management deposits scheme, go to the ATO website.

The Privacy Commissioner and the Tax File Number privacy rule

The Privacy Commissioner has issued a new privacy rule under the privacy law about Tax File Numbers, to replace the previous Tax File Number Guidelines 2011. The new rule is the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 (Legislative Instrument F2015L00249; registered 4 March 2015).

The primary purpose of the rule is to regulate the collection, storage, use, disclosure, security and disposal of individuals’ Tax File Number (TFN) information. A breach of the rule is an interference with privacy under the Privacy Act. Individuals who consider that their TFN information has been mishandled may make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner.

The rule explicitly authorises the use and disclosure of TFN information by a TFN recipient (such as the Commissioner of Taxation and the trustees of a superannuation fund) for the purpose of giving an individual any TFN information that the TFN recipient holds about an individual. This ensures that the TFN Rule does not prevent an individual being given access to his or her information under Australian Privacy Principle 12 of the Privacy Act, or another Act that provides for access by persons to documents.

DISCLAIMER

Taxwise® News is distributed quarterly by professional tax practitioners to provide information of general interest to their clients. The content of this newsletter does not constitute specific advice. Readers are encouraged to consult their tax adviser for advice on specific matters.