27/10/2023
Open conversations about financial legacies are crucial, especially in a diverse generational landscape, to ensure a smooth wealth transfer and empower the next generation with financial management skills. In an era defined by a diverse generational landscape, the significance of preparing the financial legacy for future generations cannot be overstated. From Builders to Gen Alpha, […]
26/10/2023
Treasury has released for public comment an exposure draft of changes to the proposed thin capitalisation reforms. The proposed changes do not go as far as many would have hoped, but certainly include some welcome amendments in relation to trusts. Significant reforms to the thin capitalisation regime were introduced in the Bill1 into the House […]
25/10/2023
The ATO has released areas of focus for privately owned and wealthy taxpayers in the Next 5,000 program. Certain taxpayers will face more comprehensive reviews depending on their risk profile. The key findings found in the Next 5,000 population were that most had informally documented tax governance-like processes and controls in place. The ATO is […]
25/10/2023
Increased administration and difficult deadlines will be a strong focus of employer and stakeholder concerns as consultation opens on Treasury’s broad design plans for Payday Super. As part of the 2023-24 Budget, the Federal Government announced that from 1 July 2026, super must be paid on payday, a change that will contribute towards a ‘dignified […]
24/10/2023
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has introduced five further legislative instruments aimed at reducing Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) record-keeping obligations. This is in addition to the four draft legislative instruments that we discussed in our earlier alert from March 2023. While the earlier legislative instruments focused on travel benefits, these new instruments broaden the scope […]
11/10/2023
The Treasury released the highly anticipated draft legislation on superannuation. This affects superannuation balances above $3m with an increase in tax rate from 15% to 30% from 1 July 2025. Notably, the draft legislation allows negative earnings to be carried forward and offset against future years. Otherwise the Treasury’s proposal is largely unchanged from the […]
10/10/2023
The decision in Bendel1 could have significant implications to Division 7A application, challenging the Commissioner’s long-standing position to treat unpaid present entitlements (UPEs) as loans. The Commissioner’s view is that where a company beneficiary of a trust has an UPE, this entitlement will generally be treated as a loan for Division 7A purposes, if it […]
09/10/2023
The ATO has issued a new draft ruling which outlines and provides examples for when tax deductions for self-education expenses are available to individuals. While the draft Ruling does not introduce significant changes, it provides greater clarity by detailing factors and examples that can be considered. Each taxpayer’s situation will determine the deductibility of their […]
09/10/2023
As part of the State Taxes Acts and Other Acts Amendment Bill that has been introduced to Parliament, the Allan government is set to expand the Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT) from 1 January 2025 to apply statewide. Currently, the VRLT applies to only inner and middle suburbs of Melbourne. VRLT will continue to be […]
09/10/2023
The New South Wales (NSW) Chief Commissioner’s guidelines on stamp duty and property leasing provide essential guidance for calculating the dutiable value of complex lease agreements. Understanding these rules is vital for developers, landholders, and businesses involved in leasing property, especially with conditions that require the lessee to undertake construction or improvements. This article aims […]