News

One of the many responsibilities SMSF trustees have every income year is valuing their fund’s assets at market value. The market value of an asset is the amount that a willing buyer and seller would agree to in an arm’s-length transaction.  These valuations will be used  when preparing the fund’s accounts, statements and SMSF annual...

Where a taxpayer has been the victim of identity, tax or super fraud, the ATO may apply security safeguards to their account to prevent further harm.  This may require the impacted taxpayer to contact the ATO each time they need to access their information and cause inconvenience for the taxpayer as well as their tax...

The digital identity app ‘myGovID’ will soon be changing its name to ‘myID’.  While the name is changing, the login and security will not change. Taxpayers who have already set up their myGovID and use it to access government online services will not need to do anything when the app changes to myID.  They will...

Individual taxpayers can take the following steps right now to ensure the correct amount of tax is being put aside throughout the year: ❑ let their employer know if they have a study or training support loan, such as a HECS or HELP debt; ❑ check they are only claiming the tax-free threshold from one...

The ATO has recently confirmed that collection of business debts – including debts relating to superannuation guarantee (SG), pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and GST – is among its key focus areas. This is a timely reminder for all businesses to ensure they’re meeting their obligations. The most recent ATO statistics show that although...

You may have heard that the annual cap on non-concessional contributions (NCCs) has increased for 2024–2025. This is great news for superannuation members who want to maximise their retirement savings.  NCCs are your own after-tax contributions, meaning they’re distinct and separate from concessional contributions such as compulsory employer contributions made for you, additional salary sacrifice...

With the latest statistics showing a significant rise in liquidations and with the ATO’s focused efforts on debt collection, small businesses face significant financial pressures. However, the answer isn’t to evade responsibilities or take shortcuts – business restructuring has to be done properly and in compliance with the relevant laws. The small business restructure roll-over...

Does your business or investment structure make payments such as interest, dividends or royalties to any foreign residents? You may be required to withhold tax from these payments. The ATO is currently focusing on ensuring that taxpayers are aware of these obligations. If these withholding requirements apply to you, you’ll need to lodge a PAYG...

If you’re an Australian resident for tax purposes, you don’t have to pay income tax on the first $18,200 you earn each year, from any source. This is called the “tax-free threshold”. If you have more than one job, change employers during the year, have a sole trader side gig or get government payments, it’s...

Last week, a range of employment law changes under the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (known as the Closing Loopholes No. 2) came into effect that all employers need to be across.   The below summarises the key changes effective from 26 August 2024.   Right to Disconnect The new employee right to disconnect has garnered...