Regional Victoria Wins; Foreigners, Developers and Others Lose – Tax Measures In Victorian 2019/20 State Budget

Regional Victoria Wins; Foreigners, Developers and Others Lose – Tax Measures In Victorian 2019/20 State Budget

The Victorian 2019/20 State Budget was announced yesterday, with positive wins for Regional Victoria. The proposed measures contain an increase in taxes for foreigners holding property in Victoria, as well as measures broadening the application of land transfer (stamp) duty.

Tax Disputes: Part 1 – Early engagement strategies with the ATO

Tax Disputes: Part 1 – Early engagement strategies with the ATO

When involved in a dispute with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), it is always in a clients’ best interest to seek to either resolve or narrow and define the relevant issues in dispute as quickly and efficiently as possible.  We will always advise a client to seek to engage with the ATO to resolve a tax dispute, when possible.

Sladen Snippet - trustee obligations on the ATO radar

Sladen Snippet - trustee obligations on the ATO radar

As we approach 30 June, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced that it is reviewing adherence to trustee obligations including the lodgment of tax file number (TFN) reports for TFN withholding for closely held trusts.

Labor’s Tax Policies and What They Mean for Discretionary Trusts

Labor’s Tax Policies and What They Mean for Discretionary Trusts

Discretionary trusts are prevalent in the small to medium enterprise (SME) market due to their income tax effectiveness, distribution flexibility, and asset protection features. However, this may be about to change. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) has proposed a number of amendments to existing tax laws should they win the election on 18 May 2019.

Sladen Snippet: ATO to begin data matching program on cryptocurrency holdings

Sladen Snippet: ATO to begin data matching program on cryptocurrency holdings

The Federal Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner) has given notice that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will commence a data matching program on cryptocurrency.

Federal Court reminds us of the complexity of income tax deductibility, and what it means to carry on a business.

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 Decision Impact Statement on Pintarich – troubling views on when a decision may not be a decision

ATO Decision Impact Statement on Pintarich – troubling views on when a decision may not be a decision

We previously reported here and here on the Full Federal Court decision of Pintarich v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCAFC 79 (Pintarich) and the unsuccessful application for special leave to the High Court.

No Discount Capital Gain On The Sale Of Shares - Paule V FCT, Hart v FCT [2019] FCA394

No Discount Capital Gain On The Sale Of Shares - Paule V FCT, Hart v FCT [2019] FCA394

The Federal Court has ruled, in a decision that the Court itself described as an “unpalatable result”, that the capital gains tax (CGT) discount did not apply to the sale of shares held by a trust.