07/03/2023
Poker machine money laundering is in the spotlight again after concerns around serious and organised criminals targeting pubs and clubs to launder money. With the news regarding SkyCity, AUSTRAC has cited ‘systemic failures’ in the operator’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) programs, particularly regarding the failure to have a transaction monitoring program and to […]
07/03/2023
Ampol Limited, formerly Caltex Australia, has settled a transfer pricing dispute with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for $157 million. Ampol Group (Ampol) is an Australian energy company that operates in the fuel and convenience retail sector. Its subsidiaries in Singapore (Ampol Singapore) serve as a trading and shipping arm of the group, sourcing refined […]
01/03/2023
For employers lodging fringe benefits tax (FBT) returns, the volume of declarations and record keeping documentation is arduous and ongoing. Last week the Australia Taxation Office (ATO) issued four draft instruments that aim to reduce this. The draft legislative instruments specify acceptable alternative record-keeping obligations (other than an employee declarations) in respect of expense payment […]
01/03/2023
SW Accountants & Advisors and Small Business Australia sentiment survey reveals alarming insights into the struggles and hardships faced by SME’s. A ‘Small Business Sentiment’ survey conducted by SW Accountants & Advisors in partnership with Small Business Australia has revealed insights into the struggles and hardships faced by SMEs in Australia, with 30% of the […]
22/02/2023
On 16 February 2023, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released a new guide, Practical Compliance Guide 2023/1 (PCG 2023/1), which revises the methods by which taxpayers can calculate deductions for costs incurred when working from home (WFH). One of the significant changes introduced by the ATO is the discontinuation of the 80 cents per hour […]
20/02/2023
The University Grants Commission (the “UGC”) has published the Draft Regulations that provide a framework for the establishment and operation of campuses of foreign higher educational institutions (FHEI) in India. Under the proposed regulations, foreign institutions may set up a campus in India independently to conduct undergraduate and higher-level degrees in India in all disciplines. […]
15/02/2023
On 8 February 2023, the ATO released a new Taxpayer Alert sounding a warning to taxpayers seeking to access private company profits tax free via a scheme involving the interposition of a holding company to access company profits tax free. The Taxpayer Alert notes that participants in, and promoters of these types of arrangements, may […]
10/02/2023
On 24 January 2023, the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia handed down its appeal decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Guardian AIT Pty Ltd ATF Australian Investment Trust [2023] FCAFC 3. The Court upheld the original judgement in favour of the taxpayer in relation to the application of section 100A but allowed the […]
08/02/2023
APRA has intensified supervision of regulated entities for compliance with the Information Security Standard CPS 234 to combat cyber threats following the recent Medibank cyber attack. Concern for the security of information assets following the recent cyber incident at Medibank has prompted the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to step up its supervision of APRA-regulated […]
25/01/2023
Bitcoin mining operations that utilise renewable energy aim to mitigate the substantial energy consumption of other bitcoin miners, while supporting the electricity grid needs. Simon Tucker talks to Cam Nelson at DAME Technologies. In our latest Digital Discussions interview, SW Tax Partner, Simon Tucker, talks to Cameron Nelson, CEO of DAME Technologies, a sustainability-first renewable […]