Sladen Snippet - ATO decision impact statement on Addy ‘backpacker tax’ case

Sladen Snippet - ATO decision impact statement on Addy ‘backpacker tax’ case

We have previously discussed Addy v FCT [2021] HCA 34 here. In this case, the High Court unanimously allowed Ms Addy’s appeal and found that a UK working holiday visa holder, who was a tax resident of Australia, was entitled to the tax-free threshold and taxation at the rate that applied to Australian resident nationals.

Sladen Snippet – TD 2021/D5 genuine disposal restrictions in employee share schemes

Sladen Snippet – TD 2021/D5 genuine disposal restrictions in employee share schemes

Whether an employee has genuine restrictions on disposing of an option/right or share issued under an employee share scheme (ESS) can determine whether tax can be deferred, and until when, under the ESS.

Legal Professional Privilege in the spotlight

Legal Professional Privilege in the spotlight

Legal professional privilege (LPP) has once again become a topic of significant interest following the recent Full Federal Court decision of CUB Australia Holding Pty Ltd v FCT [2021] FCAFC 171 (CUB Decision) and the release of the draft LPP protocol from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Taxpayer Alert TA 2021/2 – undeclared foreign income – ATO declares war

Taxpayer Alert TA 2021/2 – undeclared foreign income – ATO declares war

In 2014, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) undertook the high-profile amnesty – Project DOIT – that allowed Australian taxpayers to voluntarily disclose (undeclared) offshore income in return for a range of ATO administrative concessions on the period-of-review, penalties, and shortfall interest.

Advanced Holdings – Full Federal Court reiterates to read the trust deed!

Advanced Holdings – Full Federal Court reiterates to read the trust deed!

The Full Federal Court decision in Advanced Holdings Pty Limited as Trustee for The Demian Trust v FCT [2021] FCAFC 135 highlights important principles of trust deed interpretation and the limitations of statutory provisions concerning the evidentiary force of company records.

It also serves as a “sobering bookkeeping reminder” to directors of small companies and corporate trustees to keep good records, and as always, read the trust deed!

FCT v Ross Part 3: the onus of proof of disproving a default assessment

FCT v Ross Part 3: the onus of proof of disproving a default assessment

The Federal Court case of FCT v Ross [2021] FCA 766 concerned several aspects of taxation administrative law. This is the third article in a series on issues in FCT v Ross and discusses the onus of proof of disproving a default assessment.

FCT v Ross Part 2: death not a factor to remit penalties

FCT v Ross Part 2: death not a factor to remit penalties

The Federal Court case of FCT v Ross [2021] FCA 766 concerned several aspects of taxation administrative law. This is the second article in a series on issues in FCT v Ross and discusses death not being a factor to remit penalties.

Capital gains, Discretionary Trusts and Foreign Residents: round 3 to the ATO

Capital gains, Discretionary Trusts and Foreign Residents: round 3 to the ATO

We wrote here and here about the Greensill (Thawley J) and Martin (Steward J) Federal Court decisions. In those decisions the Federal Court found in favour of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that section 855-10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA 1997) did not disregard a non-taxable Australian property capital gain distributed to a foreign resident beneficiary of an Australian discretionary trust.

McCarthy: sale of two-lot development taxed as ordinary income

McCarthy: sale of two-lot development taxed as ordinary income

A recent Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) decision re-emphasizes that taxpayers who purchase, subdivide, and sell land within a short timeframe may have entered into an isolated profit-making transaction, with any gains assessed on revenue account.

TD 2021/5: ATO guidance on receiver’s obligation to retain money for post-appointment tax liabilities

TD 2021/5: ATO guidance on receiver’s obligation to retain money for post-appointment tax liabilities

Section 254 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 sets out the obligations, liabilities and rights of agents and trustees. An agent or trustee is answerable as taxpayer for things required to be done by the tax Acts in respect of income, or any profits or gains of a capital nature, derived by the agent or trustee in his/her representative capacity or derived by the principal by virtue of the agency.

Cryptocurrency Update: What are the Tax Implications of Staking Rewards and Airdrops?

Cryptocurrency Update: What are the Tax Implications of Staking Rewards and Airdrops?

As the public and Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) interest in cryptocurrency continues to increase further guidance has been released by the ATO in relation to the tax treatment of staking rewards and airdrops.

Employee Share Schemes - Budget changes should boost participation

Employee Share Schemes - Budget changes should boost participation

Attracting and retaining high performing employees can be key to ensuring the long-term success and growth of a business – a significant challenge for many Australian businesses navigating through COVID-19. Implementing an employee share scheme (ESS) or incentive plan can be an effective means by which businesses can attract, motivate, and retain valued employees.

Federal Budget 2021-22: The Tax Changes You Need to Know

Federal Budget 2021-22: The Tax Changes You Need to Know

The Federal Budget 2021-2022 is big on spending and small on major structural change to tax however there are a number of tax measures within the Budget to be aware of.

Sladen Snippet – Addy – Backpacker Tax case goes to High Court

Sladen Snippet – Addy – Backpacker Tax case goes to High Court

We have previously discussed the Full Federal Court decision in Addy v FCT [2020] FCAFC 135 here. In this case, the court held that Ms Addy, a working holiday maker, was not entitled to benefit from the tax-free threshold as she was not an Australian tax resident. The so-called ‘backpacker tax’.

Sladen Snippet - Khan: self-education expenses not deductible

Sladen Snippet - Khan: self-education expenses not deductible

Individuals cannot currently claim a tax deduction under s 8-1 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 for education and training expenses unless the expense leads to, or is likely to lead to, an increase in the individual’s income from current income-earning activities.