Author: Sarah Wallace
Where do reward programs stand in regard to tax?
Many businesses and organisations offer their customers loyalty award-based incentive programs. They are designed to reward customers for purchasing or using a company’s goods and services (or sometimes affiliated businesses). The ATO deems that flight rewards received under consumer loyalty programs are generally not taxable. However, it also notes that FBT may apply where: the...
Trust distributions from a discretionary trust
The purpose of a trust is to separate the legal and beneficial ownership of assets. The legal ownership of the asset rests with the trustee. The beneficiaries benefit from the income that flows from the assets. A trust is not a legal entity. It is best described as a legal “relationship” that is controlled by...
Trust losses: Keeping them in the family
Who can (and can’t) be part a family group for the purpose of making a family trust election (FTE)? As you can see by the diagram (see Newsletter PDF), the ‘family group’ is dependent on the choice of the ‘test individual’. Once that person is chosen, the family group includes the person’s spouse, plus any...
Capital works deductions for rental property
Rental property investors can claim capital works deductions for construction costs for a rental property, however there are limits imposed in relation to the dates such works were completed. The deductions are only available on residential properties if these were built after 17 July 1985. Generally, up to 15 September 1987 the rate is 4%...
What the new Your Future, Your Super means for you
Recent legislative reforms to the superannuation arena are set to change the retirement savings landscape for many Australians. The Federal Government says the Your Future, Your Super reforms will help ensure superannuation works in the best financial interests of all Australians by removing unnecessary waste, increasing accountability and transparency, and providing more flexibility for families...
Wallace Partners Client Information Newsletter August 2021
Access our Wallace Partners Client Information Newsletter August 2021 below: Wallace Partners CIN August 2021
When the taxman sends a bill, not a refund
While most people look forward to receiving a tax refund once their return is processed by the ATO, it is also not unheard of to receive a tax bill on occasion. Most people who earn income as employees have tax payments made on their behalf throughout the year through pay-as-you-go (PAYG) withholding to help them...
Steps to take when winding up your SMSF
There will most likely come a time when your SMSF will need to be wound up, with a change in members, the fund’s finances, perhaps separation or other family reasons among the many reasons why winding up the fund becomes necessary. For example, the reasons to wind up an SMSF could include: there are no...
Getting deductions for clothing and laundry expenses right
The ATO allows certain taxpayers to claim a deduction for the cost of buying and cleaning occupation-specific clothing, items of protective wear and for certain unique, and usually distinctive, uniforms. To claim a deduction it is generally expected that you will be able to provide evidence that you purchased the clothing concerned, and will have...
Avoid common mistakes in your business return, and include appropriate income
We know you want to get your tax right, so it may help you this tax time to know how to avoid making what the ATO has found are the most common tax mistakes. To do this make sure you have: declared all income, including cash and online sales, dividends, interest, capital gains or one-off...