In the past 12 months, the ATO has identified and taken action against 595 websites impersonating its online services. These fake sites are designed to steal passwords, personal information and identity documents, such as passports and driver licences. Currently, the ATO is seeing many SMS and email scams leading to fake myGov sign-in pages –more...

The ATO has released a tax time tool kit to assist businesses and us as your tax advisor to nail your 2021/22 business tax return. The ATO has also flagged what it will be focusing on for small business tax returns for 2021–22: deductions that are private in nature and not related to business income,...

The increase to the superannuation guarantee (SG) rate from 1 July 2022 will see more employees (and certain contractors) entitled to additional SG contributions on their pay. But what happens when income earned before 30 June is paid after 30 June 2022 – will employees be entitled to the higher SG rate of 10.5%? SG...

In late June, the ATO released their ‘100A guidelines’ provided in respect of the 2021/22 income year (‘Managing section 100A for the 2021–22 income year’).  In summary, the guidelines would appear to be a reiteration of previously published draft material (the 23 February Guidelines) with no or little direction with respect to the practical issues...

As the economy emerges from COVID-19, the ATO is re-focusing on debt collection. During the pandemic, the ATO deliberately shifted its focus away from firmer debt collection action to help and assist businesses and the community experiencing financial challenges because of the pandemic. It took a softly-softly approach, acknowledging the financial hardship that the virus...

According to the ATO, the treatment of allowances is one of the most misunderstood areas of payroll. Whether it be misclassifying an amount as an allowance (when it’s actually a reimbursement) or applying the incorrect Payment Summary treatment, PAYG withholding, superannuation or payroll tax treatment, mistakes in this area are easy to make. The distinction...

Did you know you could invest the proceeds of the sale of your family home to your superannuation, depending on your age and circumstances? What is a downsizer contribution? From 1 July 2022, if you’re aged 60 years or older you may be eligible to make a downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 (or $600,000...

In the middle of May, the ATO announced that there will be four focus areas on their radar during Tax Time 2022 – record-keeping, work-related expenses, rental property income and deductions, and capital gains from crypto assets. It is reminding taxpayers that there are three golden rules when claiming a deduction: You must have spent...

Following the election of the new Labor federal Government on 21 May, there are a number of tax and superannuation proposals that they have announced or existing measures they have committed to that may impact you and your business moving forward. Some of course are subject to the passage of enabling legislation through the new...

With the end of financial year (EOFY) fast approaching, now is a great time to boost your superannuation savings and potentially save on tax. Below are six superannuation strategies to consider before 30 June 2022. Tip 1 – Use the carry forward concessional contribution rules If you want to make up for lost time and...