Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers is a self-confessed disciple of Paul Keating. My challenge to Chalmers is to step up from being a disciple of, arguably, Australia’s greatest-ever treasurer to being this generation’s economic reform messiah. In the 1990s Keating (with the support of PM Bob Hawke) reformed the Australian economy and 30 years later we… Read more »
A couple of weeks ago I called out the federal government for once again (and it’s all sides of politics) caving in when it comes to tax reform. The Stage 3 tax cuts were rightly skewed toward low-to-middle income earners, but the 37 per cent tax bracket should also have been abolished as planned… but… Read more »
Economists talk about much needed productivity gains and simplifying our tax system is a key part of that. The changes to the stage 3 tax cuts won’t help. I don’t have an issue with watering down the benefits to top income earners and shifting them to lower to middle income earners – those who’ve been… Read more »
The ATO has adjusted how you can claim your work-from-home tax costs. While most of the COVID health restrictions have now been lifted, a lot of businesses are still operating a hybrid work place where staff have the flexibility to work from home on a regular basis. As a result, the Australian Tax Office has… Read more »
The stage three tax cuts continue to be a talking point for next week’s first Labour Budget. But should they be? Federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, brings down his first Labor Budget next Tuesday. He has certainly been preparing us with dire forecasts of a global recession and tough economic times ahead due to high inflation… Read more »
Turning tax dobber on your ex seems to be the ultimate revenge in a relationship breakdown. But its not just ex-partners who dob… Years ago I was chatting with a former tax commissioner about tax cheats and he was saying I would be amazed how many people get dobbed in by an ex-partner (relationship and… Read more »
Around 8 per cent of Australians own an investment property and this year the ATO will be paying close attention to rental income, deductions, and capital gains. So a couple of housekeeping tasks as we close the financial year. These will make sure you get things right and don’t attract the taxman’s ire. 1. Keep good… Read more »
Knowing what you’re entitled to claim for the end of financial year can be tricky, since every so often the Australian Tax Office (ATO) makes changes. Here are some of the tax deductions you may be able to claim in the 2021-2022 income year. Of course, general information like this will only get you so… Read more »
You know it’s tax time when the Australian Tax Office releases its annual ATO hit list of the areas they are targeting for special attention. This year the ATO hit list is focused on: record-keeping; work-related expenses; rental property income and deductions; and capital gains from crypto assets, property, and shares. “The ATO is targeting… Read more »
There’s a new tax scam to be vigilant about and it’s a super easy one to fall for. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is urging taxpayers to be vigilant following an increase in reports of fake websites offering to provide tax file numbers (TFN) and Australian business numbers (ABN) for a fee, but failing to… Read more »
