Tax Alert March 2021
Individuals and small business owners who have taken advantage of the government’s COVID-19 support programs will find themselves increasingly under the tax man’s microscope in coming months. This is just one of the key developments occurring in the world of tax at the moment.
Retrain your staff with the tax man's help
For many business owners, fear of incurring a Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) bill has kept them from retraining and re-skilling their employees to perform different roles or activities within the business.
Tax Alert December 2020
Although individuals and small business owners are now enjoying welcome tax relief in the wake of some valuable tax changes, there is more on the horizon as the government seeks to reboot the Australian economy.
Here’s a quick roundup of significant developments in the world of tax.
Tax Alert September 2020 - Small business & the JobKeeper scheme extension
Many small business owners and sole traders will be breathing a sigh of relief following the extension of the JobKeeper scheme until March next year. At the same time, however, the ATO is stepping up its compliance activities.
Make selling your business less taxing
Selling a business you have spent so many years building up can be a difficult process, but getting the best price is not the only consideration. Tax has a big role to play in the financial result.
That means the ATO will be paying close attention. Selling a business is considered as disposing of an asset, so it triggers a capital gains tax (CGT) event.
If your sale isn’t handled correctly, you could find yourself on the receiving end of a hefty tax bill and a lot less profit than you expected.
Your End of Financial Year Checklist
It always takes some planning to get your finances in order for the end of financial year, and this year may look a little different, come June 30. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted your circumstances and therefore your situation could be looking different to normal.
How COVID-19 changes tax time
As this financial year draws to a close, it will be viewed as a year like no other. COVID-19 (coronavirus) has impacted everybody’s life, albeit in different ways for different people.
Calculating your working from home deductions. New tax shortcut!
With many people now working from home because of COVID-19, some of the expenses your employer normally covers – such as electricity, heating and cooling – are coming out of your pocket instead.
Tax concessions: helping small businesses
Running a business keeps you pretty busy, so it’s easy to overlook the help that’s available. Many small businesses don’t realise the government offers a range of valuable concessions that can make a real difference to their annual tax bill.
Depending on your annual turnover, these can include reduced tax rates, asset write-offs, simplified depreciation rules and tax-free restructuring.
Unwrapping the joys and pitfalls of giving
Christmas is a time of giving, when thoughts turn to family and to helping those less fortunate. To gift in a meaningful way that maximises the benefits, it’s important to consider tax.
While Australia doesn’t have a gift tax, there are tax considerations nonetheless for both the giver and the recipient.
Buying a toy for your grandchild is one thing but many parents wish to help their adult children or grandchildren with more substantial gifts such as a home deposit or a car. If you receive a Centrelink age pension now or are within five years of retiring, that “gift” will be counted as an asset and could affect your pension.