Today
Radical company tax plan splits CEOs, Henry and unions
A Productivity Commission proposal for a tax increase on the profits of the biggest companies and a tax cut for smaller companies has drawn strong responses.
July
How this doctor will go skiing, upskill and claim a $30k tax deduction
Many professionals have to attend conferences to maintain their accreditation. Here’s how to claim work trips on tax without falling foul of the ATO.
Hit capital gains and trusts to cut income tax, experts tell Chalmers
Economists at a roundtable at Parliament have urged the government to reduce its dependence on wage taxes and rebalance the system to help younger people.
Labor’s charity tax could gut generosity in Australia
Much like recent changes to superannuation or proposals for taxes on unrealised gains, meddling with the philanthropic system erodes confidence.
June
High Court grants ATO lifeline in $1b family trust case
The Tax Office can appeal in a dispute over the taxation of family trusts, placing a cloud over taxpayers’ ability to claim around $1 billion in refunds.
May
Ford enlists Trump tax officials in billion dollar ATO brawl
The Trump administration has taken an aggressive stance against global taxation deals, and the ATO is embroiled in similar fights with ExxonMobil and PepsiCo.
April
Think you pay too much tax? Not according to this measure
Australia has the fourth-highest income tax in the world, according to the OECD. But adding in other employment taxes puts us is in the middle of the pack.
March
Mary and Tom demonstrate the effect of bracket creep’s sneaky toll
Lifting the income tax thresholds in line with wages growth would mean an extra $25,000 over a decade.
$1b family trusts dispute may be headed to the High Court
The Australian Taxation Office will continue to fight a decision that could leave it owing as much as $1 billion in refunds to 971,000 family trusts.
Victoria starts handing out hefty bills in land tax ‘grab’
More than 400,000 people who run a small business or Airbnb from their home have been hit with hefty land tax bills under the government’s plans to rein in debt.
February
Chase has stalled in suspected $180m corporate fraud case
A liquidator has not been able to secure ATO funding to aid an investigation into a suspected tax fraud in the construction industry.
Meet the accountant linked to Sydney’s most infamous tax scammers
Filomena Kyriacou led an accounting firm that advised clients who avoided millions in tax, dealt with organised crime figures and was linked to some of the most infamous tax scammers in the country.
Family trusts may seek $1b in tax refunds after landmark decision
Family trusts incorrectly penalised by the Australian Tax Office should act now to lodge objections, lawyers say.
Australia’s $10b tobacco mistake that’s helping criminals thrive
Unless and until we pair our tobacco taxes with matchingly strong enforcement, we’ll keep failing to fight illegal tobacco and cut smoking rates.
January
Trump’s tax plans will send Aussie businesses to America
The promise of a US economic boom driven by lower taxes and deregulation is already starting to turn the heads of Australia’s business titans and entrepreneurs.
December 2024
The football club boss, drug-dealing director and $100m scam
A liquidator claims crane company boss Damon Hanlin may have controlled a tax fraud scheme that involved shadow directors and dishonest dealings.
November 2024
Average tax refund revealed, and why you may receive ‘surprise’ bill
Bank depositors have had much to celebrate as rates have stayed higher for longer. But with more interest comes more tax. Here are some solutions.
October 2024
Virtical pub group’s alleged tax scam bill could top $50m
Leaked ATO audits reveal what could be one of the most brazen alleged tax scams in corporate history.
Juror misconduct probe flagged for Plutus tax fraud trial
Sheriffs will be asked to probe possible juror misconduct in the Plutus tax fraud trial, which ran for nine months and led to five people being jailed.
September 2024
ATO found pub empire made ‘fictitious’ GST refund claims
Virtical Group made false claims for millions in GST refunds based on invoices for construction that did not happen on property it did not own, the tax office has found.
Alex found guilty of $10m tax fraud conspiracy
Construction identity George Alex has been found guilty of conspiring to defraud the tax office through his labour hire firms as his marathon six-month trial came to an end.
June 2024
Why you could be caught by the ‘wealth tax’ this year
Fast-rising wages and asset prices will leave more Australians facing Division 293 tax on their income and deciding whether to pay it from their super.
May 2024
Husic calls for lower corporate taxes
Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic says the Labor government would consider revising the company tax rate.
Tax office moves on administrators in ‘$180m tax fraud’
The administrators of a formwork company involved in what could be the country’s biggest tax fraud are facing court action for reducing an $11 million payroll tax debt to just $1.