Regulatory overreach, more red tape or business as usual?
Welcome amendments to the ATO’s processes in forming a fraud and evasion opinion
On 17 May 2018, the ATO updated its practice statement (PS LA 2008/6) providing for a more robust and comprehensive process before the Commissioner can form an opinion there has been fraud or evasion. Where the Commissioner forms an opinion there has been fraud or evasion by a taxpayer in a particular income year, he then has an unlimited amendment period in which to raise an amended assessment outside of the usual 2 or 4-year time limits.
Check your mail and ensure your mailing address is up to date! Don’t risk criminal offences with the ATO.
Recent Court decision emphasises the importance of substantiating the occurrence of a transaction
The recent Federal Court decision of Rowntree v FCT [2018] FCA 182, (Rowntree) dismissing the taxpayer’s appeal, considered whether amounts received by the taxpayer were income rather than loan receipts.
Sladen snippet: key tax changes in the Budget
Lessons from Stojic: it is better to under promise and over deliver when negotiating payment arrangements with the ATO
The Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) has power pursuant to section 255-15(1) of Schedule 1 of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 to permit a taxpayer to pay its tax-related liability by instalments in accordance with a payment arrangement. The recent Federal Court decision of Stojic v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCA 483 (Stojic) dismissed an application by the sole director and shareholder of a company to review a decision by the Commissioner to decline to exercise that power illustrates two major points.
GST withholding: Draft ATO guidance at odds with Explanatory Memorandum
As we have previously reported, on 29 March 2018 the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Act amending the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (the Act) received Royal Assent.
Sladen Snippet – Sladen Legal Principal Daniel Smedley Again Named As One Of Australia’s Best Lawyers
Proposed changes to stapled structures – not just the big end of town
Division 6C was introduced in 1985 to tax public unit trusts like companies unless they restricted their activities to essentially passive investment activities (‘eligible investment business’). Stapled structures arose to allow the combination of trading activities, in a company, with associated non-trading assets in a trust to which Division 6C does not apply.
CGT marriage breakdown rollover does not apply to entities controlled by former spouses
In Ellison v Sandini Pty Ltd [2018] FCAFC 44, the Full Federal Court overturned decision which allowed Mr Sandini (the Taxpayer) to benefit from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) marriage breakdown rollover for the transfer of shares to an entity controlled by his former spouse, pursuant to a Family Court Order (FCO).
Sladen snippet - lower company tax rates – where are they?
Sladen Snippet - Property purchasers become the new ‘taxman’ – new laws passed by Parliament
As previously reported in February 2018 (see here), the Commonwealth Government introduced into Parliament legislation that would require purchasers of taxable supplies of new residential premises or new subdivisions of potential residential land to pay either 1/11, or 7% if the margin scheme applies, of the purchase price to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at settlement.
Trusts and two-tiered company tax rates
Sladen snippet –SMSFs can no longer have reserves?
Update: Measure regarding changes to CGT main residence exemption now introduced to Parliament
As previously reported in November 2017 (see here), the Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017 introduced to the Parliament in October of that year dropped, without notice or explanation, reference to the proposed change to the CGT main residence exemption as that exemption applies to foreign residents.
GST withholding: legislation introduced to Parliament
On 7 February 2018 the Commonwealth Government introduced into Parliament legislation which if enacted will, subject to a transitional rule (discussed further below), require from 1 July 2018 that purchasers of taxable supplies of new residential premises or new subdivisions of potential residential land pay either 1/11, or 7% if the margin scheme applies, of the purchase price to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) at settlement (the Legislation).
Sladen Snippet - Access to CGT Concessions to be tightened for ownership interests in companies and trusts from 1 July 2017
On 8 February 2018, the Government released for public consultation exposure draft legislation to implement the announcement in the 2017 Budget regarding integrity improvements to the small business capital gains tax (CGT) concessions.
Sladen Snippet - Recent case: GST is a four-letter word
The Victorian Court of Appeal recently successfully allowed an appeal from the Supreme Court concerning the GST treatment of a property sale. The decision, in fact both decisions, illustrate the importance of ensuring that the contract of sale correctly sets out whether the price includes or excludes GST and the required due diligence including legal advice needed before signing such contracts.
Trust vesting: draft ATO Ruling on trust vesting
The Commissioner issued Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2017/D10 “Income Tax: Trust Vesting – amending the vesting date and consequences of a trust vesting” on 13 December 2017.
The views in TR 2017/D10 are not materially different from those expressed at recent public forums, although TR 2017/D10 states those views in an administratively binding form and provides further detail (including several examples).