With the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the transition to retirement (TTR) pension to take effect from 1 July 2017, those with existing arrangements should review them to avoid any adverse impact on their retirement funds. Following changes in the 2016 Federal Budget, from 1 July 2017, transition to retirement (TTR) pensions will no longer…
Tax offsets (also known as ‘rebates’) can directly reduce the amount of tax payable on a person’s taxable income. While claiming certain tax offsets can reduce a person’s tax payable to zero, on their own, they cannot create a tax refund. Here are three common types of tax offsets some individuals are eligible to claim:…
The amount of tax an individual pays on their super contributions depends on whether the contributions were made before or after they paid income tax; they have exceeded the super contributions cap or they are a very high-income earner. Before-tax super contributionsConcessional (before-tax) super contributions are taxed at 15 per cent. They include employer contributions;…
The Australian Tax Office has recently collaborated with industry representatives to develop a safe harbour for car fringe benefits. A safe harbour is a guideline that allows Australian businesses to make use of an efficient way to calculate tax where certain conditions are met. This particular safe harbour will simplify the approach for working out…
Australians are required to meet a condition of release under superannuation law before they are allowed to cash preserved benefits, restricted non-preserved benefits or access any of their super. Some conditions of release restrict the form of the benefit or the amount of benefit that can be paid. These are known as ‘cashing restrictions’. The…
The Australian Tax Office has warned small businesses that time is running out to start paying superannuation contributions in the new and mandatory electronic standard called SuperStream. SuperStream is the new mandatory way employers must make super contributions on behalf of their employees. It involves employers sending all super payments and employee information electronically in…
Adding your own contributions to your super fund is a simple and effective way to boost your superannuation. Personal super contributions are amounts an individual contributes to their super fund from their after-tax income. These contributions are in addition to any compulsory super contributions an individual’s employer makes on their behalf and do not include…
Following an announcement in July, the Australian Government recently increased the 32.5 per cent tax threshold from $37,001 – $80,000 to $37,001 – $87,000. The new PAYG withholding rates will apply to individual taxpayers who earn more than $80,000 from 1 October 2016. The Australian Tax Office provides a range of tables to assist employers…
Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are allowed to invest a private company or business provided the business is operated for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits for fund members and it is allowed under the trust deed. SMSF trustees must take into account the sole purpose test when determining whether purchasing a private company or…
The Australian Tax Office allows Australians who work at or from their home to claim a deduction for the additional expenses they incur from running their business. Generally speaking, the deductible expenses that can be claimed are divided into two categories; occupancy expenses and running expenses. Occupancy expenses: relate to ‘the place of business’, i.e.…