If your business is in relatively good shape and have been contemplating an asset purchase, now is the time. Not only will you be helping the Australian economy get back on its feet, you’ll be doing your business a favour by taking advantage of the instant asset write-off threshold of $150,000.
COVID-19 has turned lives upside down on a global scale, with one unintended side-effect being the drastic restriction of movement across borders. So, what happens to the tax status of an individual that arrived in Australia as a temporary resident staying longer than expected due to not being able to return to their home country?
Rental property owners along the rest of the economy have taken a hit to their bottom line. In this uncertain time, the ATO has provided some guidance on the deductibility of rental property expenses in various situations such as tenants paying reduced rent or the suspension of rent.
The costs you could claim include work-related portion of any heating, cooling, lighting for the area you’re working from, work-related phone and internet, and work-related decline in value of a computer and associated office equipment. To claim these expenses, you must keep specific records ranging from diary entries to receipts.
After previously providing business with administrative concessions, the ATO has now moved to provide some concessions and advice to SMSFs during this pandemic.
Small to medium employers who intend to claim the “cash flow boost payment” (minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $50,000) announced in the second round of stimulus hoping to receive an injection of cash should beware. The “payment” is not actually a payment, rather it is a credit that will be offset against of the liabilities that appear on the BAS and any debits in a taxpayer’s RBA.
In response to the recommendations of the Banking and Financial services Royal Commission and the ASIC Enforcement Review Taskforce Report, the government has proposed new enforcement and supervision powers for ASIC to restore consumer confidence in the financial system, particularly in relation to financial advice.
The Tax Avoidance Taskforce has recently been expanded by the ATO to private groups and high wealth individuals. Originally conceived in 2016 to ensure that multinational enterprises, large public and private business pay the right amount of tax, this has now been extended to cover more taxpayers.
The qualifying age to receive a genuine redundancy payment has recently been increased to the age pension age, so even if you’re over 65 you may still be able to receive the payment.
The government plans to give companies greater access to prior year tax losses in a bid to stimulate business innovation. A new alternative to the “same business test” – the “similar business test” – will make it easier for companies that have experienced a significant change in ownership or control to carry forward their losses. While this will provide greater flexibility, companies will need to carefully weigh up a range of factors to determine whether they meet the test.
With the real estate market hotting up for another year, many home buyers will turn their thoughts to newly constructed residential premises or subdivisions, but a recent Bill introduced may increase the costs and complexity of such purchases.
Thinking about tapping into your super early to help with mounting expenses? Mortgage repayments, medical treatments and hard-to-meet living costs are all potentially valid reasons for early access to super – but the eligibility rules are strict. Find out what criteria apply so you can make an informed decision about your best course of action.