Masters course fees not deductible as self-education expenses
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (‘AAT’) has held that tuition fees for a public policy Masters course were not deductible, on the basis that the course did not relate to the taxpayer’s work as a music teacher. The taxpayer was a qualified teacher who specialised in teaching music. He had commenced a Masters Course at the […]
Proportional indexation of transfer balance caps from 1 July 2023
The ATO reminds taxpayers that, on 1 July 2023, the general transfer balance cap will be indexed. Individuals will have a personal transfer balance cap between $1.6 and $1.9 million, based on the highest ever balance of their transfer balance account between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2023. While indexation will occur on 1 […]
Know your private company loan arrangements before you lodge
The ATO advises taxpayers that, if they or an associate take a loan from their private company, they should not forget the requirements of repaying a private company loan for income tax purposes. Otherwise, they could find the loan treated as a Division 7A deemed dividend and included in their, or their associates’, assessable income. […]
Minimum annual payments for super income streams
The ATO reminds taxpayers that an SMSF must pay a minimum amount each year to a member who is receiving a pension that commenced on or after 20 September 2007 (e.g., account-based pensions). If the minimum payment is not made by 30 June, this can result in adverse taxation consequences for the member In response […]
The super guarantee rate is increasing
Businesses that have employees, or hire eligible contractors, will need to ensure that their payroll and accounting systems are updated to reflect the new super guarantee rate of 11% for payments of salary and wages that are made from 1 July 2023. Businesses need to calculate super contributions at 11% for their eligible workers for […]
Court penalises AMP $24 million for charging deceased customers
The Federal Court has found that four companies that are or were part of the AMP Group breached the law when charging life insurance premiums and advice fees from the superannuation accounts of more than 2,000 deceased customers. The Federal Court ordered two of these AMP companies to pay a combined penalty of $24 million […]
ATO ride sourcing data-matching program
The ATO will acquire ride sourcing data relating to approximately 200,000 individuals to identify individuals that may be engaged in providing ride sourcing services during the 2022/23 financial year. The data items include: The data will be used to identify and inform ride sourcing providers of their tax obligations as part of information and education […]
ATO advice regarding year-end trustee resolutions
The ATO has advised that, in the lead up to 30 June, trustee clients who wish to make beneficiaries presently entitled to trust income for the 2023 income year should ensure their trustee resolutions are effective. This includes where trustees may want to make beneficiaries ‘specifically entitled’ to franked dividends and capital gains included in […]
In the ATO’s sights this Tax Time
The ATO has announced its three key focus areas for this Tax Time: ATO Assistant Commissioner Tim Loh said the ATO is continuing to prioritise areas where they often see mistakes being made: “Within these areas, we have identified common mistakes, and are particularly focused on addressing these and supporting taxpayers and registered tax agents […]
2023/24 Budget Update
On 9 May 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the 2023/24 Federal Budget. Some of the measures announced by the Government (including some which were actually announced prior to the Budget), include: In addition to these, one of the most important aspects of this Budget was that the Government has provided some further depreciation relief […]