The ATO is focusing on claims that investment property owners make for repairs to rental residences that it deems to in fact be “improvements”. The scenario where investment properties have work done on them often happens shortly after the property is purchased, and has led to the term “initial repair” being commonly used when discussing […]
Tasmania’s economy has grown equal-second fastest in Australia in the December 2015 quarter – equal with New South Wales (0.6%) and second only to Victoria (0.8%) – according to state final demand Trend figures released by the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) this week. Seasonally adjusted figures also show solid growth (0.7%), placing Tasmania fourth […]
SuperStream is part of the Government’s Stronger Super initiative and introduces a more efficient method of sending superannuation payments and associated information in the superannuation system. Measures have been progressively coming into place since July 2014.
In the 2015-16 federal budget, the government announced that it will exclude “fly-in-fly-out” and “drive-in-drive-out” workers from claiming the zone tax offset (ZTO) where their normal residence is not within a “zone” (access the Australian zone list here). The measure was not passed by Parliament until late in 2015, but it is now law, effective […]
Do you understand when your self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) can borrow and when it can’t? Generally, SMSFs are not able to borrow to acquire assets. The rationale is that superannuation is meant to be a relatively conservative investment vehicle, and borrowing can put the fund at risk.
There is a concession in the CGT rules that can allow you to treat a property as your “main residence” even though it does not yet have a habitable dwelling. Under the concession you may be able to receive the CGT exemption while you are still building.
The Tax Office has sent letters to people living overseas who have made claims as non-residents for tax purposes. We strongly recommend that expats consult with their tax professional prior to responding to the letter as international tax matters further compound the already complex tax rules.
Since July this year, scams targeting both individual and business taxpayers have been running rife. From fake Tax Office “delayed return” or “proof of identity” emails to telephone calls conveying similar requests, taxpayers have had to keep their guard up. So how can individuals and businesses protect themselves from online fraud and crime?
Identity theft is such a threat nowadays that the Tax Office has set up a Client Identity Support Centre (find it here) to help taxpayers who have had their identities stolen or misused.
An Actuarial certificate is a statement provided by a qualified actuary to confirm the proportion of an self managed superannuation fund’s (SMSF) income that should be exempt from income tax. The tax treatment of a fund depends on whether it is in accumulation or pension phase, or a combination of both.
