ATO areas of interest for the year
At the end of last year, the ATO highlighted 3 areas of focus, including cyber security, debt book and improving tax performance for 2024. The ATO has indicated it will move its focus in 2024, with the Second Commissioner of Client Engagement, Jeremy Hirschhorn,...
Statement of tax record for businesses
Businesses tendering for Commonwealth government contracts need to be aware that contracts over a certain amount may require a statement of tax record. Businesses wanting to participate in tendering for Commonwealth government contracts need to be aware that contracts...
Circumstances for lodgement deferral
Tax time 2023 has now officially ended, taxpayers needing additional time to lodge should request a lodgement deferral from the ATO without delay. The last day for lodgement was 31 October 2023, so taxpayers that have yet to lodge should do so as soon as possible to...
International businesses and GST
International businesses that have sales connected to Australia over a certain threshold may need to register and pay GST in Australia. This applies to electronic distribution platform (EDP) operators that allow merchants to make sales of services, digital products or...
Proposed mechanisms for payday super
The government has released a consultation paper on two models that could be used to implement the payday super measure. Unpaid superannuation is equivalent to wage theft and is detrimental to the retirement income of many Australians. That’s why in the 2023-24...
Sharing Economy Reporting regime
Individuals participating in the sharing economy should be aware that transactions for supplying taxi travel/ride-sourcing and short-term accommodation are now required to be reported. The Sharing Economy Report Regime (SERR) has now commenced for the 2023-24 income...
Deductions related to holding vacant land
ATO has clarified when deductions for losses and outgoings that relate to holding vacant land will be denied in relation to individuals not conducting a business or in primary production. Deductions for losses and outgoings that relate to holding vacant land on which...
Upcoming changes for pension and income support recipients
A permanent enhancement to the pensioner work bonus, along with a doubling of the employment income nil rate period, has been announced. As a part of the government’s strategy to get more people back into work to solve skills shortages being experienced by many...
ATO shifting to firmer debt collection
The Commissioner has flagged a return to firmer debt collection actions after easing activities in the aftermath of COVID-19. With less than 6 months left in his tenure as the Commissioner of Taxation, Chris Jordan has unapologetically flagged the ATO’s shift to...
ASIC: super trustees need to step up efforts
ASIC has called on super trustees to step up efforts in the areas of dealing with member money and consolidating duplicate accounts. In recent media releases, ASIC has called on superannuation trustees to step up efforts in the areas of appropriately dealing with...