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Significant change to claiming working from home expenses Before 1 July 2022, an individual taxpayer that incurred additional deductible expenses as a result of working from home, had a choice of three methods to claim these expenses. These choices were:     The shortcut method – which was available from 1 March 2020 to 30 … Read more

Super guarantee contributions for the December 2022 quarter A reminder to employers that their December 2022 superannuation guarantee (‘SG’) contributions were due by 28 January 2023. Do not forget the two changes to SG that commenced on 1 July 2022: the rate increased from 10% to 10.5% employees no longer need to earn $450 per … Read more

ATO warning to SMSFs: “Paying the price for non-compliance” There are various courses of action available to the ATO when trustees of self-managed super funds (‘SMSFs’) have not complied with the super laws, including applying administrative penalties. A number of factors determine the amount of the administrative penalty, including: the type of contravention; when it … Read more

November 2022 Director ID deadline is approaching The Government has launched an awareness campaign to help company directors get their director identification number (‘director ID’) as the 30 November deadline approaches. A director ID is a unique 15‑digit identifier that a company director will apply for once and keep forever.  Director IDs are administered by … Read more

October 2022 Banking business income to a private account The ATO has stated that it has “no concerns” with business owners banking their business takings or other sales in private accounts, but that this may become an issue when this income isn’t reported. Therefore, the ATO notes that a good way to avoid this problem … Read more

September 2022 More COVID-19 business grants are now tax-free The Federal Government has expanded the list of State and Territory COVID-19 grant programs that may be tax-free to eligible businesses. A State or Territory Government COVID-19 grant payment will generally be tax-free if: the payment is received under a grant program that is formally declared … Read more

Tax time focus on rental property income and deductions The ATO is focusing on four major concerns this tax season when it comes to rental properties. Concern 1: Include all rental income When preparing tax returns, make sure all rental income is included, such as from short-term rental arrangements, renting part of a home, and … Read more

ATO’s small business focus for 2022 income year The ATO announced that it will be focussing on the following matters for small business tax returns for the 2021/22 year: Deductions that are private in nature and not related to business income, as well as over-claiming of business expenses (especially for taxpayers running a home-based business). … Read more

ATO priorities this tax time The ATO has announced four key areas that it will be focusing on for Tax Time 2022: Record-keeping. Work-related expenses. Rental property income and deductions. Capital gains from crypto assets, property, and shares. Before claiming income tax deductions for their expenses, taxpayers must ensure: they spent the money themselves and … Read more