Legislation currently being debated in Parliament will introduce a new criminal offence for intentional “wage theft”. If enacted, in
addition to the criminal offence, a fine will apply.
The fine is three times the underpayment and:
The reforms are not intended to capture unintentional mistakes and a compliance ‘safe harbour’ will be introduced by the Fair Work Ombudsman
for small businesses.
In addition to addressing wage theft, the Bill also seeks to:
What happens when a trust appoints income to a private company beneficiary but does not actually make the payment?
The tax treatment of this unpaid amount was at the centre of a recent case before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) that saw a taxpayer successfully challenge the ATO’s long held position (Bendel and Commissioner of Taxation [2023] AATA 3074). For many years, the ATO’s position has been that if a trust appoints income to a private company beneficiary but does not actually make the payment, this unpaid amount can be treated as a loan. Under Division 7A of the tax rules, these loans can be taxed as unfranked dividends unless they are managed using a complying loan agreement with annual principal and interest repayments.
This AAT decision challenges an important ATO position, with the tax outcomes being potentially significant for trust clients that currently owe (or may have owed in the past) unpaid trust entitlements to related private companies.
But this is not the end of this story. On 26 October 2023, the Tax Commissioner lodged a notice of appeal to the Federal Court. There is no guarantee that the Federal Court will reach the same conclusion as the AAT. We will need to wait and see.
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Whether you're planning a lap of Australia or a weekend escape, owning a caravan or camper can be a great investment in lifestyle.
One of the biggest benefits of debt consolidation is the potential to reduce how much interest you’re paying.
At the end of each financial year, your accountant prepares essential documents like financial statements, tax returns, and compliance reports. But what brings it all together? That’s where the Management Letter comes in.
Lenders assess defaults on a case-by-case basis. What’s most important is the context surrounding the default and how your financial situation has changed since.
Some lenders will assess your income using Australian tax rates, even if you're living in a country with lower tax obligations.
Under the expanded program, income thresholds will increase from $90,000 to $100,000 for singles and from $120,000 to $160,000 for couples or single parents.
Federal elections have little effect on Australia's property market, despite common perceptions, according to new research.
Treasury has released exposure draft legislation for Payday Super that will require employers to pay superannuation at around the same time as salary and wages are paid to the employee. The changes are proposed to commence from 1 July 2026.
Shannon Smit dives deep into the compelling world of using self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to invest in property. With her signature energy and expertise, Shannon explains the mechanics of SMSFs, contrasting them with retail and industry super funds, and revealing the unique power they offer individuals to take control of their financial future.
What does it take to turn a modest property portfolio into a self-sufficient powerhouse? In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit invites you into the fascinating journey of property investment, revealing the key steps, strategies, and mindset shifts that can transform two properties into a thriving, cash flow-neutral portfolio.
The Government’s big moment in the 2025-26 Federal Budget was the personal income tax cuts. Income tax cuts are a dazzling headline but in reality they deliver a tax saving of up to $268 in the 2026-27 year, with a tax saving of up to $536 from the 2027-28 year.
At the end of each financial year, your accountant prepares essential documents like financial statements, tax returns, and compliance reports. But what brings it all together? That’s where the Management Letter comes in.
Treasury has released exposure draft legislation for Payday Super that will require employers to pay superannuation at around the same time as salary and wages are paid to the employee. The changes are proposed to commence from 1 July 2026.
