Blog
Super contributions beyond age 65 from 1 July 2020
The Assistant Minister for Superannuation Senator Jane Hume has welcomed the recent amendments to Australia’s superannuation regulations that allow more people to make voluntary superannuation contributions from 1 July 2020. The changes allow people aged 65 and 66 (ie...
ATO alert on fraudulence and non-compliance: COVID-19 measures
The ATO is on the look-out for fraudulent schemes designed to take advantage of the Government’s COVID-19 stimulus measures. This includes JobKeeper, early release of superannuation, and boosting cash flow for employers. The ATO will be using its wide array of data...
Coronavirus Supplement extended, with changes
The Government has announced that it will extend the temporary Coronavirus Supplement payment from 25 September to 31 December 2020 but the rate will be reduced from $550 to $250 per fortnight. Since 27 April 2020, a Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight has...
JobKeeper extended, with changes
The Government has announced that JobKeeper payments will continue for six months beyond the legislated finish date of 27 September 2020, subject to revamped eligibility rules. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Government will introduce two tiers of payment rates as...
Instant asset write-off further extended
If you’ve purchased assets for your business, remember that you may be eligible to claim an immediate deduction in your 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 tax returns under the instant asset write-off, which was recently further expanded. From 12 March to 31 December 2020...
Federal Government releases economic update
On 23 July 2020, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg released the Economic and Fiscal Update July 2020, outlining the key COVID-19 policy response measures announced by the Government since March 2020. The Treasurer said the Government has provided economic support for...
Tax time 2020 is here
Don’t jump the gun and lodge too early Tax time 2020 is here, but it’s likely to be anything but routine. Many individuals on reduced income or have increased deductions may be eager to lodge their income tax returns early to get their hands on a refund. However, the...
ATO scam calls may soon be a thing of the past
Last year, some 107,000 ATO impersonation scam calls were reported to the authorities. The real number is likely to be much higher, given that most of these types of calls go unreported. Scammers are increasingly using technological advances to appear more legitimate...
Additional cash flow boost coming for businesses
If your business is one of many that received the initial cash flow boosts as a part of the government’s COVID-19 economic stimulus measures, prepare for more help coming your way. When you lodge your monthly or quarterly activity statements for June to September...
Expanded instant asset write-off for businesses
If you’ve purchased assets for your business, remember that you may be eligible to claim an immediate deduction under the instant asset write-off, which was recently expanded. From 12 March to 30 June 2020 inclusive, the instant asset write-off threshold for each...
Directors’ duties still apply despite COVID-19 relief
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has reminded companies, directors and officers faced with COVID-19 challenges to reflect on their fundamental duties to act with due care, skill and diligence, and to act in the best interests of the company....
Processing of super early releases resumes with extra risk filters
Processing of COVID-19 early release of superannuation applications has now resumed, with the ATO adding extra risk filters for all files that are delivered to super funds. These release requests had been temporarily paused between 8 May and 11 May 2020 so that the...
STP exemption for small employers extended to July 2021
The ATO has extended the Single Touch Payroll (STP) exemption for small employers in relation to closely held payees from 1 July 2020 to 1 July 2021 in response to COVID-19. Tip: A “small employer” is one that has 19 or fewer employees, and a “closely held payee” is...
JobKeeper: measuring decline in turnover
Businesses (including sole traders and charities) must have suffered a “substantial decline” in turnover to qualify for the JobKeeper Payment of $1,500 per eligible employee. The basic decline in turnover test requires an entity to measure its projected GST turnover...
Snapshot of Federal COVID-19 pandemic measures
Tax-related business measures Cash flow boost payments: Tax-free payments of up to $100,000 are available for eligible small and medium-sized entities and not-for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000. Instant asset...