The end of the financial year is not all that far away. To help you to prepare for tax time, we provide our top 7 tips for your 2015-16 tax return. This list is not exhaustive, and we will need to review the items in light of your personal circumstances.

Tip 1: Dividend Income

We will need to see your dividend statements, which will identify the dividend payment date and the type of dividend payment for your Australian company shareholdings (that is, fully franked, partially franked or unfranked). Remember some companies pay interim and final dividends so also provide these statements to us.

Both the dividend payment and the value of the franking credit (if applicable) are included in your assessable income on a receipts basis.

Terminology on the dates may be confusing for some, but we can quickly clear this up for you. Use the payment date rather than record date to determine when you received the dividend. But we do need to determine this for you as sometimes these may straddle two different financial years.

Also franking credits are applied against your gross tax payable as a tax offset and the excess typically refundable where your tax liability is less than the total franking credits (after taking into account any other tax offsets).

Tip 2: Franking credit refunds

If your taxable income is less than $18,200 this financial year and you receive franked dividends, we can still make a claim for you for the refund of those franking credits. To do this we will most likely help you fill in a Refund of franking credits form (this can also be done for previous years if you haven’t already asked us to do so).

Tip 3: Distribution statements

If you have investments in managed funds or stapled securities, we need to review each distribution statement for you as there may be dividends and franking credits, foreign income and taxes, and capital gains and losses shown.

Be aware of foreign taxes paid on offshore income, as we may be able to claim foreign income tax offsets for you (which can be claimed against your tax payable). However, unlike franking credits, if you cannot use them in the current year, you lose them.

Tip 4: Hobby or business losses

If you have invested in a quasi-business activity (such as a hobby farm or venture), and you have generated losses this year, you cannot just deduct the loss against your other income (such as salary and wages).  Unlike negative gearing on property and shares, you are required to quarantine these losses for later use unless you satisfy specific criteria.

We can apply any such losses you have to offset against your other income if you satisfy at least one of following four tests:

• assessable income test
• profits test
• real property test
• other assets test.

Also your “adjusted taxable income” must be less than $250,000 otherwise these losses are quarantined.  These rules are complex so contact us if you need help.

Tip 5: Investment-related deductions

Don’t forget to tell us about all your investment-related deductions so we can further reduce your tax bill. But remember, these are available provided the expenses are directly related to generating your investment income. Make sure you have all necessary receipts or credit card statements in order to substantiate claims, but don’t hand these over to us yet — we’ll ask if they’re needed.

Investment-related deductions include such things as:

• interest on borrowed funds if you financed your investment
• bank charges for bank accounts where investment income is paid into and expenses are paid from
• management fees or retainers if you are using a financial planner (however, not costs in drawing up a financial plan)
• the cost of running a home office to manage your investments, and
• the cost of investment-related journals.

Further, where you have used your own car for travel related directly to your investment income, such as visiting your stockbroker or attending AGMs, you can claim a deduction for costs incurred.  Note the special rules for claiming car expenses (but we can help you with all these claim details).

Tip 6: Depreciating assets

Immediate deductions can be claimed for depreciating assets that cost less than $300 and are mainly used to earn your income. Otherwise, we can claim depreciation for you on the asset by using rates prescribed by the ATO. We may need to ask you about the extent of any private use.

Tip 7: Membership subscriptions

Make sure you let us know if you want to claim a deduction for membership associated with your investments (you may, for example, be a member of the Australian Shareholders Association). Where you gain investment income, the entire amount of the subscription can be claim as a deduction as long as the membership is relevant. Otherwise, the deduction is limited to $42 for each membership.

By all means if you are unsure about any aspect please contact this office.