Government tenders and tax compliance
Do you run a business that would like to bid on Commonwealth government contracts or is likely to do so in the future? From 1 July 2019, the government is seeking to exclude from the tender process those businesses that do not have a “satisfactory tax record (STR)”. The initiative would apply to all tenders […]
Compensation from the ATO
With all the media attention around the ATO’s alleged rough treatment of the small business segment. Many of these small business owners may think that they have a case for compensation from the ATO for everything that they have been through. Although is getting compensation from the ATO even possible? The answer it turns out […]
ATO blitz on the sharing economy continues
The sharing economy is booming in Australia with a large proportion of the population either making it their full-time job or making a little extra money on the side. However, with the boom comes the all-seeing-eye of the ATO which is now firmly focused on the sharing economy. Its latest target are those people who […]
Reportable payments system to be extended
The black economy is a significant growing economic and social issue in Australia. By some estimates, the size of the black economy is around 3% of GDP or around $50 billion. In response, the government will be extending the existing Taxable Payments Reporting System (TPRS) which currently only applies to the building and construction industry […]
Direction of future tax reform
To be fiscally responsible, a government needs to have enough resources to service its debt obligations. One of the main sources a government uses to service its debts is tax revenue. A recent report by the Parliamentary Budget Office examined broad trends within the tax system and identified a number of risks to the sustainability […]
Small business tax concessions
Businesses that satisfy a certain turnover threshold may qualify as a small business entity. The advantages of being a small business entity includes access to a range of tax concessions including lower tax rates, capital allowance concession, trading stock concession, as well as FBT and GST concessions. If you think your business is a small […]
Alternative dispute resolution process
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is not only used to resolve substantive disputes, and can be used to clarify or limit issues, and remove barriers created by relationship issues between you and the ATO. Usually, if your dispute is not very complex, in-house facilitation may be used. More complex issues will usually be outsourced to an […]
Government debts and your travel plans
The government has started a crackdown on individuals who owe welfare debts by preventing them from leaving the country, even for a holiday, until either the debts have been paid or they enter into a repayment plan. Some of the welfare debts are as small as $10,000, so is this the start of the government […]
Tax return lodgement due soon
The deadline for lodging your tax return is fast approaching. Before you rush off to gather all the documents for your tax return, beware of some changes in this year’s return, particularly in the areas of rental properties and superannuation. In addition to the changes in the tax return, the ATO has also outlined the […]
Beware of clothing deductions this tax time
Beware of work-related clothing and laundry expense claims this tax time, the ATO is cracking down on individuals making unsubstantiated and exaggerated claims. It has reminded taxpayers that only uniform, protective or occupation-specific clothing that you are required to wear to earn your income can be claimed as work-related clothing. In addition, laundry expenses can […]
