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Ace in the hole - Federal Budget 2023-24
Business

Ace in the Hole Budget 2023-24

‘Ace in the Hole’ Budget 2023-24 The ‘ace in the hole’ of the 2023-24 Federal Budget was the $4.2bn surplus; the first in 15 years.   The surplus was driven by a surge in the corporate and individual tax take. High commodity prices, inflation, and high employment have all pushed up corporate and individual tax receipts. But the gains can’t be relied on long term. The Budget is expected to deliver a deficit of $13.9

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Content Creators Tax Risk Warning
Tax

Content Creators Tax Risk Warning

Content Creators Tax Risk Warning   The explosion of OnlyFans, YouTubers, TikTokers and others all offer an opportunity for ‘content creators’ to profit from the audiences they generate. But now the Tax Office has given notice to the booming industry.   Back in October 2022, OnlyFans CEO Ami Gan announced that the platform had reached a milestone – paying out $10 billion to content creators since its launch in 2016. While known for its adult

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Company money: A guide for owners
Business

Company money: A guide for owners

Company money: A guide for owners   When you start up a business, inevitably, it consumes not just a lot of time but a lot of cash and much of this is money you have already paid tax on. So, it only seems fair that when the business is up and running the business can pay you back. Right?   There a myriad of ways owners look for payback from a company they have invested

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sharing platforms are sharing with the ATO
Business

What sharing platforms are sharing with the ATO

What sharing platforms are sharing with the ATO   From 1 July 2023, a new reporting regime will require platforms that enable taxi services including ride sourcing, and short-term accommodation to report their transactions to the ATO each year. From 1 July 2024, the regime will expand to include all other platforms.   While the legislative instrument for the reporting regime is still in draft (see LI 2022/D27), it is expected that platform providers will

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Selling a business
Business

Selling a business? The pros and cons of earn-out clauses.

Selling a business? The pros and cons of earn-out clauses   Earn-out clauses for the sale of a business are increasingly common. We look at the positives and negatives that every business owner should consider.   Business transactions often include earn-out clauses where the vendors ‘earn’ part of the purchase price based on the performance of the business post the transaction. Typically, an earn-out will run for a period of one to three years post

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How Does Tax Apply to Electric Cars
FBT

How Does Tax Apply to Electric Cars?

How Does Tax Apply to Electric Cars?   Just in time for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year that started on 1 April, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released new details on electric vehicles.   The FBT exemption for electric cars   If your employer provides you with the use of a car that is classified as a zero or low emissions vehicle there is an FBT exemption that can potentially apply to the

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ATO Holiday Home
Tax

What will the ATO be Asking about your Holiday Home?

What will the ATO be Asking about your Holiday Home?   Taxpayers claiming deductions on holiday homes are in the ATO’s sights.   The ATO is more than a little concerned that people with holiday homes are claiming more deductions than they should and have published the starting questions they will be asking to scrutinise claims:   How many days was it rented out and was the rent in line with market values? Where do

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The Super Wars
Superannuation

The Super Wars

The ‘Super’ Wars   A consultation paper released by Treasury has sparked a national debate about the role, purpose and access to superannuation ahead of the 2023-24 Federal Budget.   What is the purpose of superannuation? At first glance, the consultation released by Treasury in February titled Legislating the objective of Superannuation sounds innocuous enough. The consultation seeks to anchor future policies relating to superannuation to a legislated objective:   The objective of superannuation is

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working from home
Business

What’s the Deal with Working from Home?

What’s the Deal with Working from Home?   The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has updated its approach to how you claim expenses for working from home.   The ATO has ‘refreshed’ the way you can claim deductions for the costs you incur when you work from home. From 1 July 2022 onwards, you can choose either to use a new ‘fixed rate’ method (67 cents per hour), or the ‘actual cost’ method depending on what

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The ATO’s final position on risky trust distributions
Business

The ATO’s final position on risky trust distributions

The ATO’s final position on risky trust distributions   The ATO has released its final position on how it will apply some integrity rules dealing with trust distributions – changing the goal posts for trusts distributing to adult children, corporate beneficiaries, and entities with losses. As a result, many family groups will pay higher taxes because of the ATO’s more aggressive approach.   Section 100A The tax legislation contains an integrity rule, section 100A, which

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