ATO to apply a more lenient approach to SG penalties

ATO to apply a more lenient approach to SG penalties

The super guarantee (SG) amnesty ended on 7 September 2020. The SG amnesty allowed employers to disclose and pay previously unpaid SG charge, including nominal interest, for the quarters between 1 July 1992 to 31 March 2018 without incurring the administration component or Part 7 penalties. In addition, payments of SG charge made to the ATO under the amnesty were tax deductible to the employer.

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.

ATO partially softens its view on non-arm’s length expenditure

ATO partially softens its view on non-arm’s length expenditure

After seeking advice from an independent advice panel, the ATO has released its finalised Law Companion Ruling setting out the ATO view on the non-arm’s length expenditure (NALE) amendments to section 295-550 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (ITAA97), LCR 2021/2. In addition, the ATO has amended its contribution tax ruling TR 2010/1. The final LCR and amendments to TR 2010/1 partially soften the ATO views on the application of NALE.

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.

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.

2021 Victorian State Budget - Prepare for tax increases

2021 Victorian State Budget - Prepare for tax increases

The Victorian State Budget for the 2021-2022 year brings with it particularly broad-ranging state taxation measures that will impact a diverse cross-section of the Victorian community. The changes include increased land tax and transfer (stamp) duty rates as well as new tax measures such as the windfall gain tax on rezoned land and a mental health and wellbeing levy (payroll tax surcharge).

The Top Three Key Cross-Border Tax Issues In The Estate Plan

The Top Three Key Cross-Border Tax Issues In The Estate Plan

The increased global mobility of individuals and online transactions, together with the deregulation of financial markets and exchange controls since the 1980s, mean that cross-border estate tax issues are, in many instances, “the new black”.

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.

Onus of proof: asset betterment case sent back to the AAT

Onus of proof: asset betterment case sent back to the AAT

Part IVC of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 gives taxpayers statutory avenues to argue, in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or Federal Court, that the substantive liability imposed by an assessment is excessive through a review or appeal of an objection decision. Where an assessment is found to be excessive, the Commissioner must amend the assessment.

Razzy Part 3 – what is ‘in connection with’ ceasing to be a member of a super fund for the section 40 duty exemption?

Razzy Part 3 – what is ‘in connection with’ ceasing to be a member of a super fund for the section 40 duty exemption?

This final part of our 3 part series on the decision of Razzy Australia Pty Ltd & Anor v Commissioner of State Revenue [2021] VSC 124 looks at the requirement under the super fund to super fund duty exemption (as contained in section 40 of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) (Act)) that a person ceases to be a member of a complying superannuation

Razzy Part 2 – Does the super fund to super fund duty exemption apply to the redemption of units?

Razzy Part 2 – Does the super fund to super fund duty exemption apply to the redemption of units?

In this part 2 of our series on the decision of Razzy Australia Pty Ltd & Anor v Commissioner of State Revenue [2021] VSC 124 we look at whether the exemption in section 40 of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) (Act) includes transactions other than transfers.