Sladen Snippet: Additional Tax Relief Announced by the Victorian Government
Capital gains, discretionary trusts, and foreign residents – first blood to the ATO
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) position for several years has been a foreign beneficiary distributed a capital gain made by an Australian discretionary trust on an asset that is not taxable Australian property is assessed on the capital gain even though that would not occur if the foreign resident made the gain directly, or through a fixed trust. Some commentators disagree with that view, the Federal Court in a recent case agreed with the ATO position in what may be the first skirmish of a battle through the courts on this issue.
Transfers to Bare Trusts: Court of Appeal Provides Clarity on Duty Exemption
The Court of Appeal handed down its decision in MD Commercial Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue [2019] VSCA 295 in late 2019. The decision has provided further clarity on the application of section 35 of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) which provides an exemption from duty for transfers to bare trusts.
COVID-19: further detail on JobKeeper payments
Further to my article on the COVID-19 JobKeeper measure, and pending the release of legislation, on 5 April 2020 Treasury further updated and expanded its JobKeeper fact sheets and included a ‘frequently asked questions’ (FAQ) document.
Sladen Snippet: COVID-19 – changes to foreign investment review regime announced
On 29 March 2020 the Federal Government announced changes to the foreign investment review regime as Australia continues to deal with the economic implications of COVID-19.
Once the legislation is passed, effective from 29 March 2020, all proposed foreign investment into Australia subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 will require approval, regardless of the value of the investment or nature of the foreign investor. This is to be achieved by reducing to $0 the monetary screening thresholds for all foreign investment under the Act.
Sladen Snippet: COVID-19: ‘JobKeeper’ support payment
As foreshadowed in our earlier article, on 30 March 2020 the Federal Government announced further COVID-19 business support – the JobKeeper Payment.
Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses significantly affected by Coronavirus outbreak be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees.
Government Cuts “Red Tape” For Charities In Response To ACNC Review
Sladen Snippet: Greig - Full Federal Court decision on capital revenue question
As we previously reported here, in the decision of Thawley J in Greig v Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCA 1084 the taxpayer was unsuccessful in arguing the loss on selling shares was deductible on the basis he was in the business of dealing in shares. The taxpayer appealed this decision.
Sladen Snippet - Federal Court finds land used for storage not an active asset
The Federal Court in FCT v Eichmann [2019] FCA 2155 (Eichmann) held that land used for storage was not an active asset for purposes of the small business capital gains tax (CGT) concessions in Division 152 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997).
Sladen Snippet – Full Federal Court Affirms No CGT Discount on Share Disposal
The Full Federal Court in Hart v FCT affirmed the Federal Court’s decision in Paule v FCT that the capital gains tax (CGT) discount did not apply to the sale of shares owned by a trust.
Part 2: International tax series: income tax consequences for non-resident beneficiaries
Part 1 International tax series: are you a resident or non-resident?
Federal Court reminds us of the complexity of income tax deductibility, and what it means to carry on a business.
In Watson as trustee for the Murrindindi Bushfire Class Active Settlement Fund v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] FCA 228 (Watson), the Federal Court ruled that an investment trust established to hold funds received as compensation for victims of the black Saturday bush fires could not deduct administrative expenses associated with the trust’s operation.
ATO releases ruling on when a company carries on a business, providing useful guidance for small business corporate taxpayers
Sladen Snippet - Active Asset Test – land used for storage: Eichmann v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] AATA 162
![Sladen Snippet - Active Asset Test – land used for storage: Eichmann v Commissioner of Taxation [2019] AATA 162](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/516cccdae4b0bacecd415c77/1550800383431-H7RONZRVYCF73VGD8R4T/Federal_Taxes.jpg)
Sladen Snippet - Tribunal determines that transfer of land between SMSFs does not trigger duty
In a recent case of Nifuno Pty Ltd atf Stephen Forbes Pension Fund v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2019] NSWCATOD 3, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) considered the application of an available duty concession for the transfer of property in connection with persons changing superannuation funds, including self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs).
Payroll tax cuts in regional Victoria
Thousands of businesses across regional Victoria have already taken advantage of the Victorian Government’s regional payroll tax cuts, which have saved businesses more than $31 million in the first financial year it was introduced.
