The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is intensifying its focus on investment properties and high-value lifestyle assets, using advanced data-matching programs to ensure tax compliance. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law. Investment Properties: A Key Focus for the ATO Investment properties have long been under the microscope...Read More

The main residence exemption exempts your family home from capital gains tax (CGT) when you dispose of it. But, like all things involving tax, it’s never that simple. As the character of Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle said, “it’s not a house. It’s a home,” and the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) interpretation of a main...Read More

Brace yourself: 2024 brings fresh tax cuts and a higher superannuation guarantee, reshaping your finances and business obligations in unexpected ways! Personal tax & super As of July 1, 2024, significant financial changes are in effect due to the introduction of personal income tax cuts and an increase in the superannuation guarantee rate to 11.5%....Read More

The Instant Asset Write-Off brought in 2023-24 has been extended until June 30 2025. This write-off threshold was increased from $1000 to $20,000 back in 2023-24. What does that mean for you? The increase in the instant asset write-off threshold offers a significant cash flow benefit to small businesses. This allows them to claim an...Read More

As the end of the financial year approaches, here are some areas at risk of increased ATO scrutiny and opportunities to maximise tax deductions. For Individuals Opportunities Bring forward your deductible expenses into 2023-24. Prepay your deductible expense where possible, make any deductible superannuation contributions and plan any philanthropic gifts to utilise the higher tax...Read More

The ATO is cracking down on business owners who take money or use company resources for their personal uses. With a blurry line between personal and working life for business owners, they often utilise company resources for their personal uses. Whilst there are tax laws preventing individuals from accessing profits or assets of the company...Read More

The ATO has made a call to professional accountants to help identify and manage illegal early access to superannuation by members of SMSFs. Generally, access to super can only be possible when: You retire and turn 60, or You turn 65, regardless of whether you’re working Early access to superannuation is only possible in limited...Read More

For many small business owners, their business is their largest asset and for many, one that is expected to help fund their retirement. But what is your business worth and what sets a high value business apart? Every business owner is naturally curious about just how much their business is worth.  However, for every business that...Read More

The ATO has signalled that it is willing to pursue professional services firms who divert profits to avoid tax. Two new cases before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal demonstrate how serious the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is about making sure professional services firms – lawyers, accountants, architects, medical practices, engineers, architects etc., – are appropriately taxed. ...Read More

The 2024-25 Federal Budget is the third for the Albanese Government and consistent with previous years, the primary themes are expected to be the cost of living and the economic shift to net zero.  According to election guru Antony Green, the window for the next election starts on Saturday, 3 August 2024, “the first possible date...Read More