What a difference timing makes. A recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) is a reminder about the tax impact of the
timing of employment income.
When the job ended, the taxpayer moved to Australia and became a resident. Once in Australia, the former employer
honoured the performance bonus and paid it as a series of instalments.
The dispute between the ATO and the taxpayer started when the Commissioner issued amended assessments taxing the bonus payments received.
The dispute focused on when the bonus was derived. Had the bonus been derived while the taxpayer was still a non-resident then it would not
have been taxed in Australia.
This is because non-residents are normally only taxed in Australia on Australian sourced income. Employment income is typically sourced
in the place where the work is performed (although there can be exceptions to this).
Australian tax case law says that employment income is normally derived on receipt. In the taxpayer’s case, this was when he received the
payments from his former employer, not when he became entitled to the bonus. Because the taxpayer received the bonus when he was a tax
resident of Australia, the bonus was subject to tax.
The difference for the taxpayer was quite dramatic. Had he been paid the bonus when it was due, he would have paid no
tax as Kuwait does not impose income tax.
Please call us if you are concerned about tax residency or managing overseas income. We want our people to be the best they can be.
The impact of Covid-19 and the associated lockdown has made it more important than ever to ensure, where possible, that you’re still getting paid.
While commercial property is a little more difficult to understand than residential, it offers several significant advantages for investors.
By using a guarantor to get a home loan, you can potentially put down a lower deposit. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be able to borrow more money.
Even if you can’t quite afford your dream home right now, there are still other options to get onto the property ladder a lot sooner than most people think.
With the trade industry currently thriving off the boom in the housing market, tradies find themselves busier than ever. The $1200 Small Business Digital Adaptation Program can help you work out ways to make admin life easier.
If you're looking into investing into property, regardless if it's residential or commercial, there's plenty to weigh up.
Is a financial services compensation payment to your superannuation fund considered as a contribution?
New legislation will help prevent superannuation assets from being hidden during divorce proceedings. From 1 April 2022, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be able to release details of an individual’s superannuation information to a family law court.
Australia’s two largest states and the ACT are in lockdown as the Delta strain of COVID-19 takes its toll while others are standing firm on a policy of eradication. The result is a country at a policy impasse and divided by border restrictions.
In this issue we cover Australia's aging populations and what that means for your retirement planning
ONLINE Webinar Session
7 September // 1:00PM
While the suburb and area are important factors in property selection, many investors fail to identify some of the red flags that might weigh on a property’s potential for growth.
Australian shares started the FY22 year with solid gains. Bond yields fell sharply, resulting in favourable returns from fixed income markets too.
On 24 August 2021 the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2021 were updated offering a wider eligibility catchment.
In simple terms, if you have been previously ineligible for rent relief, you may now be in a position to receive financial reprieve.
To have the retirement of your dreams, you must plan ahead. The bonus is, the sooner you start thinking about your retirement life, the better opportunity you have of making those dreams a reality.
If you can’t work because you or someone in your household is impacted by COVID-19, support is available. There are three types of payments accessible to individuals who have lost work because of the pandemic.
UPDATED 6 Sept 2021: The Small Business COVID-19 Hardship Fund program offers grants of $20,000 to eligible small and medium businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses. This program will allow more businesses who have previously not received support, to receive financial relief now.
Helping you lead & manage your business better. A webinar in collaboration with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council as part of their Small Business Workshops.
Set your kids up for financial success by teaching them about money and taking care of your own financial wellbeing.
Your tax refund can seem like winning the lottery. But it's not - it is your own hard-earned cash. So how can you make it work as hard for you as you did earning it?
"I'm totally covered.......through my super fund." If this is you, you might want to think again.
While everyone loves talking about property in Australia, the reality is that few people are experts. Here are some of the most common property investment myths plus some good ideas to consider.
Taking care of your mental health during lockdown periods becomes really essential. Shared by Simon Fraser University Health & Counselling Services: 25 tips to help you and your loved ones navigate this time.
Now that the new financial year is here, it’s time to start looking at all the ways you can make the most of your investment property. If you want to claim your expenses on your rental property, it’s vital that you have good records.
When property markets are hot, vendors often choose to go to auction to try and attract the very best price they can. However, many vendors are open to accepting an offer prior to the start of the auction itself.
Economic indicators have been generally positive recently, although the implementation of various lockdown restrictions nationwide are clouding the outlook.
The Victorian Government has announced new cash grants for businesses impacted by the lockdown declared on 15 July 2021. (Updated 6 Sept)
Most people would assume that if and when they need to claim on their insurance, the insurance payout covers the damage and is not income assessed for tax purposes - but this is not always the case.
If you worked from home during lockdown and spent money on work related items that were not reimbursed by your business, you might be able to claim some of these expenses as a deduction – but not everything you purchase can be claimed.
If you can’t work because you or someone in your household is impacted by COVID-19, support is available.
If your business has been adversely impacted by the recent lockdown in NSW, support is coming.
With the spring selling season just around the corner and property markets looking very strong, many potential sellers are looking at ways to spruce up their homes.
Overall news flow remained supportive of risk assets including equities and credit and enabled most major share markets to make positive progress.
If your current lender is not prepared to give you a better deal then it might be well worth taking the time to speak with a mortgage broker to find a lender that will. Here’s how to refinance your current home loan.
In the past 12 months we have seen record numbers taking out fixed-rate home loans. Particularly during COVID-19 times, it's worth considering what might happen with interest rates in the future and whether that means you too should think about a fixed-rate home loan.
The RBA has made it known that interest rates are likely to stay low for a while yet; however, there is increasing evidence to suggest that they will need to rise sooner rather than later.
There are a few changes earmarked for superannuation commencing 1 July 2021. These changes will impact both employers and employees. Read the details here to know what's expected.
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer looking to find your feet or a refinancer looking for certainty, there are clearly several factors to consider when shopping for a home loan.
Buying a residential property versus purchasing an investment property involves entirely different considerations. Here are the vital criteria to be on look-out for when selecting the right home loan for your investment property purchase.
A mortgage offset account is among the top home loan features available. And using one correctly can significantly impact your monthly repayments and how much you end up paying for your loan.
If you have a home loan, there are many reasons you may consider refinancing. That could include wanting to borrow more, access different home loan features or simply to get a better interest rate. We explore the more common reasons for refinancing, including a few you may not have thought of.
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There are several reasons motivating homeowners to refinance. It could be to achieve a lower interest rate or move from a fixed rate to a variable rate loan or vice-versa. If you’re thinking about switching loans, you need to consider the costs of any penalties – if relevant – versus any savings you stand to make.
Borrowing capacity is the amount of money a lender or mortgage broker is willing to extend to you to purchase a property. It is also a measure of your ability to make ongoing loan repayments.
The ATO has released Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2026/D2, and it’s very clear where they’re focusing next, property development structures, particularly where land ownership and development activities are split.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.
