A&T Past News

See Previous Industry, Regulatory and Company News

Federal Budget

We look at the highlights for business and individual taxation and Superannuation and retirement.


Director ID deadline is 30 November

Government has just launched a new awareness campaign as the 30 November deadline quickly approaches.


Protecting your .au domain

The ATO Commissioner has just issued a warning to businesses on the importance of securing your .au domain name!


Do I have to pay myself super as a business owner?

As a business owner you may need to pay yourself superannuation depending on your business structure.


Rental expenses in excess of income not deductible

Rental expenses in excess of income may not be deductible in these circumstances.


Director ID: Time is running out

All existing directors of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company, or a director of corporate trustees of an SMSF are required to apply for a director identification number (director ID).


Bridging the super gender gap

While the average superannuation balance for a man is $161,834, for a woman it’s $129,506 – a massive 25% difference.


Optus data breach

While Optus has not yet revealed how many of its 9.7million customers were impacted, they did confirm that the number was “significant”.


Claiming business losses

You may be able to offset your business loss against other income (such as salary and wages) if you're a sole trader or in a partnership.


SMSF member obligations

One of the ways the ATO deal with non-compliance is by disqualifying an individual as a trustee (or director of a corporate trustee) of a self-managed super fund (SMSF).


Tax consequences of land subdivision

If you are contemplating subdividing and selling, or even just selling vacant land, consider both the CGT and GST consequences


Hiring employees

Workers are in demand and are also switching jobs at record rates - there are a range of issues employers should be aware of when hiring.


Super funds post lowest returns since GFC

Super funds record worst performance since the GFC and the third lowest return since the intro of superannuation guarantee in 1992.


eInvoicing: Save time and money

eInvoicing is the new, standardised way to send and receive electronic invoices directly in software, via a secure network.


Estate Planning Explained

Ultimately it is about ensuring that you have the right mechanisms in place to ensure that in the event of your death, your assets pass in the manner you intend.


Insurance: Inside or outside Super?

Having the right insurance in place will assist you and your family through sickness and injury and protect you and your family’s lifestyle when times get tough.


ATO focus on rental property income and deductions

Income and tax deductions from rental properties is one of the four key areas that the ATO is focusing on this Tax Time.


COVID-19 relief for SMSF trustees now at an end

The ATO has reminded SMSF trustees that the COVID-19 relief and support offered to SMSFs ended on 30 June 2022.


Wash sale arrangements under scrutiny

The ATO is warning taxpayers not to engage in ‘asset wash sales’ to artificially increase their losses in order to reduce capital gains or expected gains.


GST Health Check

Now that the financial year has come to a close, it’s a good time to check all things GST.


Your Super comparison tool

Are you ready to take control and compare your superannuation fund’s performance against other funds?


Switching home loans

With interest rates increasing quite rapidly, homeowners are being encouraged to look around for a better deal on their home loan.


ATO Prioritising Debt Collection

With the economy now opening back up business as usual on the ATO debt collection front, has now largely resumed.


Last minute trust distributions and record keeping

In late June, the ATO released their ‘100A guidelines’ in respect of the 2021/22 income year.


Super guarantee rises to 10.5%

On 1 July 2022, the SG rate increased from 10% to 10.5%. In some cases, an employee’s pay period will cross over between June and July when the rate changes.


ATO tax time focus for small business

The ATO has flagged what it will be focusing on for small business tax returns for 2021–22.


Scam myths

ATO takes action against fake sites that are designed to steal passwords, personal information and identity documents.


Accessing your super early

Individuals may be able to access some of their superannuation early upon meeting certain eligibility rules.


30 June Tax Planning

There are a number of year-end income tax planning opportunities that may be available to optimise your tax position.


ATO warning of scams

ATO warns of an increase in fake websites offering to provide tax file numbers (TFNs) and Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) for a fee.


Super strategies to consider before 30 June

Now is a great time to boost your superannuation savings and potentially save on tax.


2022 Election Washup

New Labor Government superannuation proposals that they have announced and existing measures they have committed to.


Four priorities for the ATO this Tax Time

The ATO announced that there will be four focus areas on their radar during Tax Time 2022.


Downsizer contributions to SUPER

Did you know you could invest the proceeds of the sale of your family home to your superannuation?


Retirement Savings

Superannuation is an investment vehicle specifically designed to help you save for retirement. This is why you should take an interest in your superannuation.


Trust Distributions

There have been further developments on the ATO’s planned crackdown on certain distributions.


Six Member Self Managed Super Funds

SMSF member limits recently increased from four to six so larger families may now consider having one large superannuation fund for all family members.


Financing Motor Vehicles

A common question facing businesses is how to finance and account for the acquisition of a motor vehicle. There are numerous ways that can be used.


Personal Property Securities Register

The personal property securities register is an official government register. It’s effectively a public noticeboard of security interests.


Human Resources Manuals

Keeping good business records is important for a number of reasons but the ATO also has certain requirements.


Fringe Benefit Tax

It’s time now to look at instances where non-cash benefits have been provided to employees and private expenses paid on their behalf.


Keeping Business Records

Keeping good business records is important for a number of reasons but the ATO also has certain requirements.


ATO’s New Crackdown on Discretionary Trusts

The ATO has just updated its guidance around trust distributions made to adult children, corporate beneficiaries and entities that are carrying losses.


Ridesharing

Ridesharing have become increasingly popular in recent years. There are a number of tax issues potentially in play for Drivers and Riders.


Salary sacrificing to super

Putting some of your pre-tax income into superannuation to boost your retirement savings is known as salary sacrifice.


On-boarding new employees

Steps you should follow to cover off on your tax, workplace, and superannuation obligations.


Paying employees super through a super clearing house

How to you pay your superannuation guarantee contributions in a simple and effective way.


In-specie super contributions

Most contributions to a SMSF are made in cash, but did you know you can also contribute certain assets to your fund too?


Employee Allowances

The ATO has issued new guidance to help employers determine whether to pay employees a travel allowance or a living-away-from-home allowance (LAFHA).


Cashflow Forecast Preparation

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission states that poor cash flow is cited as a factor in 40% of business failures.


RAT and PCR Tests

There has been a massive buy up and need of these tests by both employers, employees and by others – often at significantly marked up rates. On the tax front, relief is now at hand!


Single Touch Payroll 2 The time has come

In the May 2019 Federal Budget, the Government announced that Single Touch Payroll (STP) would be expanded to include additional information, building on the first stage of STP which was made compulsory for most employers from 1 July 2019.


Consolidate Your Super

Did you know that there are approximately 10 million unintended multiple super accounts, which represents around 35% of all member accounts held by funds? While in some cases this outcome may be intended, more ...


Temporary Full Expensing (TFE)

As Australia looks to get back to work and continue its recovery, the Temporary Full Expensing (TFE) measures are available to support business and encourage investment.


Topping Up Your Concessional Contributions

Thinking about making up for lost time and making extra contributions to top up your super? The good news is that the “catch-up” concessional contribution (CC) rules can help individuals who feel they have missed ...


Your Business Structure

At the start of each year, business owners typically review their affairs, including at times their trading structure. Others may be going into business and choosing their initial structure. There are four main business structures ...


Introducing The Full Stackers - Digital Marketing Agency.

We are expanding our range of business services to our clients through an exciting co-lab with The Full Stackers - a Perth based digital marketing agency, positioned to help you take your brand to the next level in an ever-evolving, increasingly digital world. We have negotiated exclusive offers and special rates for you.


Have you obtained your director ID? Make sure you do.

The director identification number (director ID) regime is now in place with Australia’s newest company directors having to comply first. Read here who and when you need to apply and what the possible penalties are.


Superannuation budget measures one step closer.

Several superannuation proposals announced in this year’s Federal Budget have been introduced into Parliament and are all due to start on 1 July 2022.


Where there’s a will, there’s often a dispute.

From wine-fuelled political debates over Christmas lunch to overly competitive games of Monopoly, there are many reasons family members can find themselves at loggerheads with one another. A particularly serious scenario is when a parent passes away and leaves behind an estate that becomes a source of bitter conflict between siblings.


ATO’s ABN cancellation program continues.

The ATO has announced that it is continuing to review inactive Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) for cancellation. You may need to take action to prevent the cancellation of your ABN.


Happy Holidays.

The festive season is upon us and our team is looking forward to a much needed break. We will be closed from 24 December 2021 and will re-open on 10 January 2022. We wish you a wonderful festive season and a prosperous New Year!