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.
When deciding which investments are right for you, it is important to understand the trade-off between risk and return and how to manage investment risk.
It’s a good idea to regularly revisit your personal insurance to make sure it’s giving you the level and type of cover you need at your specific stage of life.
By setting goals, planning ahead and being smart with your savings and debt strategies – you can actively grow your wealth even from a
modest start.
Many investors become concerned when volatility occurs in global financial markets – particularly about the impact on their superannuation and other investments.
If you’re just starting out as an investor, there’s a lot of information to absorb. This fact file defines and explores the pros and cons of each asset class.
Interest rates are the cost of money when borrowed or loaned, and are used to control inflation and economic growth. But why do interest rates rise and fall, and how can they affect you?
Some retirees who need aged care may prefer to stay at home. Whilst others may need or prefer the assistance that a residential aged care facility can provide. .
Gearing can be an effective and tax-efficient way of building your investments over the long-term. While it can increase your investment returns, you need to be aware of the risks involved.
One of the most effective ways to provide some or all of your required level of income in retirement may be via a regular retirement income stream such as an account-based pension or an annuity.
If you have been made redundant, it is important to understand the financial issues involved, your entitlements, and how to make the most of your redundancy payment with the help of your adviser.
Superannuation can be one of the most tax effective ways to build your retirement nest egg. There are a range of strategies you can consider to boost your super savings.
A transition to retirement strategy may give you more flexibility and allow you to take advantage of tax concessions to help you achieve the lifestyle and super balance you want.
If your business currently receives JobKeeper, your arrangements will generally remain unchanged until 27 September 2020. From 28 September 2020, employers seeking to claim JobKeeper payments will need to reassess their eligibility and prove an actual decline in turnover.
Earlier optimism on the virus front started to fade, as a gradual easing of restrictions saw a spike in the number of new cases. This saw new constraints imposed in some areas and prompted the World Health Organisation to suggest the worst of the pandemic may be ahead.
Retirement is a period of life that most of us look forward to. But it can also be a challenging lifestyle adjustment, particularly if you’re someone who’s used to keeping busy.
The Government has announced the $2.5bn JobTrainer package to retrain, upskill and open new job opportunities.
The Mornington Peninsula has no active coronavirus cases and some residents live more than 100km from Melbourne. So why is the region going back into lockdown?
As a business owner, there’s one key thing you need to totally focus on now – keeping your business alive during these difficult times. It’s vital that you build a cash 'war chest' which will allow you keep trading through the coming difficult months. Also, we want to help you to protect the health of your employees and customers / clients.
A financial plan is a powerful thing, but it’s most effective when it’s supported by a solid insurance strategy.
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Minimum wage increases by 1.75% plus changes to Paid Parental Leave for the self employed.
Will the Prime Minister’s targeted $250 million package of funding to support cultural and creative projects and initiatives save the industry?
Two major Australian Taxation Office (ATO) initiatives are searching out fraud and schemes designed to take advantage of the Government’s Coronavirus Economic Response Package.
Up against over 580 nominations and 275 certified finalists, Brandon Tilley, accountant at Mornington accounting and business advisory firm, SMART Business Solutions, won the coveted Rising Star Of The Year Award as one of only 35 award winners.
So, you’re one year out from retirement - congratulations! Here are five steps you can take now to ensure you’re ready.
As goals-based advisers, we start off with helping you articulate what’s important to you to develop smart financial strategies to make it all possible.
A Business Recovery Planning session requires you to reconsider all aspects of your business to ensure its best chance of recovery. We'll work with you to develop a concise Business Recovery Plan and clarify the future direction of your business.
News headlines recently stated that casual workers have won the right to paid leave following a decision in the Federal Court. As usual, the devil is in the detail.
Important need-to-know changes for Australian business owners as at 1st July 2020.
The ATO is looking carefully at businesses that appear to have made adjustments to their circumstances to meet the JobKeeper eligibility requirements where, if those adjustments had not been made, the entity would have been ineligible or had lower JobKeeper payments.
This has probably been the most difficult year ever for business owners due to the impact of COVID-19. As a business owner, there are many obligations that you need to consider and action just before and after 30 June.
Success in generating long-term wealth has a lot to do with awareness of the tricks money can play on your mind. How many of these do you recognise?
For many people, super is one of the best ways to grow your wealth, as it provides significant tax concessions to help you save for retirement.
If you’re looking to grow and protect your retirement wealth, there are some important lessons you can learn from the investment strategy rules of super funds.
The Federal Budget, delivered on the night of May 12 2026, was one of the most significant in years. We know you will have questions — and we have put together this document to answer the ones we are hearing most.
The 2026–27 Federal Budget brings major changes to CGT, negative gearing, trusts and super. Find out what it means for you and your business.
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