August 2024
Accountants escape Labor’s onerous new rules, for now
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has delayed new requirements for tax professionals, amid a growing backlash about the risk of compliance failures.
- Tom McIlroy
July 2024
‘Another bombshell on tax practitioners’: new rules anger accountants
Labor is being urged to delay implementing the new standards and obligations for accountants and tax agents, who accuse the government of significant overreach.
- Tom McIlroy
June 2024
How stage three tax cuts can save you $322,000 on your mortgage
Directing tax savings to a mortgage can pay off handsomely over the long term.
- Lucy Dean
May 2024
The taxman has a warning for property investors this year
As many as nine out of 10 landlords make mistakes or illegitimately claim extra rental deductions as part of their annual tax return.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2023
Business travellers, tourists could be caught in new tax rules
A proposed 45-day test for paying tax in Australia risks a significant blowout in the number of people considered to be living and working in the country, experts warn.
- Tom McIlroy
July 2023
Here’s what you can (and can’t) claim on your tax return
About 8.6 million Australian taxpayers claimed nearly $21.6 billion in work-related expenses last year. Here’s how to get it right.
- Tom McIlroy
June 2023
Why going slower could boost your tax return
Tax time starts on Saturday, July 1, but the ATO says critical pre-filled information could take weeks to appear in online systems.
- Tom McIlroy
November 2022
Lodging your tax return late is about to cost you more
Taxpayers lodging their annual return and business activity statements late are about to face tougher fines, with a 35 per cent increase locked in by mid-2023.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2022
You might never have to file a tax return again
Former Tax Office second commissioner Andrew Mills says the automatic exchange of data could mean the death of the annual tax return.
- Tom McIlroy
September 2022
- Exclusive
- Jim Chalmers
Tax jackpot on mining windfall, but deficit is deep-rooted
Tax payments as a share of the economy have hit a 16-year high and could surpass the former Coalition government’s tax cap, after record mining and energy profits and a boom in jobs delivered a multibillion-dollar windfall to the federal budget.
- John Kehoe
August 2022
ATO agrees to improve help for accounting professionals
The Tax Office has agreed to consult with accountants and business activity statement agents on improving a key help line for industry.
- Tom McIlroy
July 2022
- Explainer
- Cryptocurrencies
Watch out, the ATO knows about your crypto investments
The tax office knows if you have cryptocurrencies. Here’s how you’ll be taxed on your dogecoin if you actually make a capital gain this financial year.
- Lucy Dean
June 2022
Why going slower at tax time might boost your refund
The ATO says Australians lodging their annual tax return quickly in July might have to refile some information because of to delays on pre-filled data.
- Tom McIlroy
Working from home tax claim shortcut set to end
An 80¢-per-hour tax shortcut created to assist during the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be available after June 30.
- Tom McIlroy
The COVID-19 claims you can use to boost your tax return
Masks, personal protective equipment and rapid test kits are among eligible expenses that can claimed against tax.
- Tom McIlroy
February 2022
‘Alarm bells ringing’ on trusts tax crackdown
Circular cash distributions and tax-saving arrangements completed under the guise of ordinary family business face new scrutiny from the Tax Office.
- Tom McIlroy
June 2021
Undisputed ATO debts increase by 78pc
A review by the independent tax watchdog found a huge increase in debts, not all connected with COVID-19 disruption.
- Tom McIlroy
ATO doesn’t have to explain decisions – but things could change
Tax Ombudsman Karen Payne is leading a review into the effectiveness of Tax Office communications related to complaints, reviews and appeals.
- Tom McIlroy
May 2021
Lockdowns spark boom in WFH tax deductions
One in four taxpayers used a special pandemic shortcut to speed up their tax return last year.
- Tom McIlroy
October 2020
$31b slipping through tax collection net
The latest gap figures released by the Tax Office shows nearly 7 per cent of personal and business obligations are going unpaid.
- Tom McIlroy