Practice Update Jan/Feb 2019

4 February 2019
Cash economy under fire: ATO directly contacting taxpayers

P r a c t i c e U p d a t e

January/February 2019

 

Division 293 assessments

The ATO has been issuing ‘Additional tax on concessional contributions (Division 293) assessments’ with respect to liabilities relating to the 2018 income year.

Division 293 imposes an additional 15% tax on certain concessional (i.e., taxable) superannuation contributions.

It applies to individuals with income and concessional superannuation contributions exceeding the relevant annual threshold.

This means that impacted individuals may ultimately pay 30% tax (when the Division 293 tax is combined with the existing 15% contributions tax) with respect to:

q superannuation contributions made on their behalf as a result of employer super guarantee obligations or effective salary packaging arrangements; or

q personal deductible contributions.

The ATO reportedly expects to issue about 90,000 assessments during the first two months of 2019.

Payment needs to be made by the due date to avoid any additional interest charges, although alternative payment methods are available (including the ability to release money from any existing super balances).

Editor: More individuals will receive Division 293 assessments (and be required to pay the additional 15% tax) for the 2018 financial year due to a drop in the applicable threshold from $300,000 to $250,000 .

Additionally, one of the key ALP tax policies for the upcoming Federal Election includes a further reduction of this Division 293 threshold from $250,000 to $200,000.

 

Claims for home office expenses increased

The ATO has updated the hourly rate taxpayers can use to determine deductions for home office expenses from 45 cents to 52 cents per hour for individual taxpayers, effective 1 July 2018 (i.e., from the 2019 income year ).

According to the ATO’s recently updated PS LA 2001/6, individual taxpayers who claim deductions for either work or business-related home office running expenses may either:

q claim a deduction for the actual expenses incurred; or

q calculate the running expenses at the rate of 52 cents per hour.

Taxpayers who use the rate per hour method to claim a deduction for home office running expenses only need to keep a record to show how many hours they work from home.

This reduced substantiation requirement can be recorded either:

q during the course of the income year; or alternatively

q they can keep a representative four-week diary (where their work from home hours are regular and constant).


MYEFO report

The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (‘MYEFO’) report was recently released.

It indicates that the underlying Budget deficit is expected to be $5.2 billion in 2019 (down from the $14.5 billion deficit estimated in the 2018/19 Federal Budget).

The substantial deficit reduction is reportedly a result of increased tax collections , with individual tax collections up $4.1 billion and company tax collections up $3.4 billion.

Additionally, the MYEFO report also provides a useful snap shot of what the Government is thinking when it comes to tax policy – particularly where previously announced reforms are still pending.

A few tax-related policy updates confirmed in the MYEFO worth mentioning include the following:

q GST compliance program – The Government is looking to provide $467 million of ATO funding from 2020 to 2024 to fund additional GST-related audits and the development of analytical tools to combat emerging risks to the GST system.

q $10,000 cash payment limit – The Government will delay the introduction of an economy-wide cash payment limit of $10,000 from the originally proposed 1 July 2019 start date, until 1 July 2020.

q Abandonment of the proposed changes to intangible asset depreciation – The Government has announced it will not be proceeding with the current proposal to allow taxpayers to self-assess the effective lives of certain intangible depreciating assets.

q Super access for victims of crimes – The Government proposes to introduce legislation to allow victims of certain crimes (i.e., serious violent crimes) access to their perpetrator’s superannuation to pay any outstanding compensation.

q Increasing the integrity of limited recourse borrowing arrangements (‘LRBAs’) – The Government is making an adjustment to the previously announced reforms requiring outstanding balances of LRBAs to be included in a member's total superannuation balance by extending the start date and limiting impacted taxpayers.

q Superannuation guarantee (‘SG’) penalty increase – Where employers fail to come forward during the 12-month SG amnesty, the Government is proposing to increase the minimum penalty from 50% to 100% of the Superannuation Guarantee Charge.

Editor: Note the required legislative amendments needed to implement the tax concessions promoted by the ATO under the SG amnesty (at the time of writing) is yet to be passed by Parliament.

This is despite the fact that the Government's proposed SG Amnesty is meant to run from 24 May 2018 to 23 May 2019 .

 

Taxation of income for an individual’s fame or image

The Government has released a consultation paper with respect to the implementation of the 2018/19 Federal Budget announcement relating to the direct taxation of an individual’s fame or image at their marginal tax rates.

The proposed reform aims to ensure that all remuneration (including both cash and non-cash benefits) provided for the commercial exploitation of a person’s fame or image will be included in their assessable income.

Editor: These reforms reflect the Government’s concern that high-profile individuals (including sportspersons, actors and other celebrities) have been ‘taking advantage’ of lower tax rates by licencing their fame or image to another (generally related) entity for the purpose of tax-effective income splitting.

Following the Federal Budget announcement, the ATO withdrew its draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2017/D11 (the ‘draft PCG’).

The draft PCG had set out a 10% safe harbour for apportioning lump sum payments for the provision of a professional sportsperson’s services and the use and exploitation of their ‘public fame’ or ‘image’ under licence.

In withdrawing the draft PCG, the ATO advised that for the period up to 1 July 2019, it will not seek to apply compliance resources to review an arrangement complying with the terms of the draft PCG if it was entered into prior to 24 August 2018 (i.e., being the date the draft PCG was withdrawn).

 

Please Note: Many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.

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A foreign entrepreneur’s guide to starting a business in Australia Starting a business as a foreign entrepreneur can be an exhilarating way to access new markets, diversify investment portfolios, and create fresh opportunities. Many countries around the globe provide pathways for non-residents and foreign nationals to register businesses. However, understanding different countries’ legal requirements, procedures, and opportunities is crucial for success. In this issue, we will navigate the process of establishing a business in Australia to help foreign entrepreneurs looking to register a company in Australia. Key takeaways Foreign entrepreneurs can fully own Australian businesses with no restrictions on ownership. Registered office and resident director requirements are key legal considerations. ABN and ACN are essential for business registration. The application process can be done online, simplifying the process for foreign entrepreneurs. Why register a business as a foreign entrepreneur? There are various reasons why a foreigner may want to register a company in another country. These reasons include expanding into a foreign market, taking advantage of favourable tax laws, leveraging local resources, or benefiting from business-friendly regulatory environments. Before registering, conducting thorough market research to assess whether establishing a business abroad aligns with your objectives is essential. Understanding the country’s political and economic climate, legal framework, and tax system will help ensure the success of your venture. The general process for registering a business as a foreign entrepreneur While the exact requirements may differ from country to country, some common steps apply to most jurisdictions when registering a company as a foreign entrepreneur: Choosing the business structure The first step is deciding on the appropriate business structure. The structure determines liability, taxation, and governance. Common types of business structure include: Sole proprietorship: A single-owner business where the entrepreneur has complete control and entire liability. Limited Liability Company (LLC): Offers liability protection to the owners, meaning their assets are not at risk. Corporation (Inc.): A more complex structure that can issue shares and offers limited liability to its shareholders. Different countries have varying rules regarding foreign ownership, so understanding the options available is essential before registering a company. Registering with local authorities Regardless of the jurisdiction, most countries require you to register your company with the relevant local authorities. This process typically includes submitting documents such as: Company name and business activities: You need to choose a unique company name that adheres to local naming regulations. Articles of incorporation: This document outlines the company’s structure, activities, and bylaws. Proof of identity : As a foreign entrepreneur, you will likely need to provide a passport and other identification documents. Proof of address: Many countries require a physical address for the business, which may be the address of a registered agent or office. Tax Identification Number (TIN) and bank accounts After registering the company, you will typically need to apply for a tax identification number (TIN), employer identification number (EIN), or equivalent, depending on the jurisdiction. This number is used for tax filing and reporting purposes. Opening a business bank account is another critical step. Some countries require a local bank account for business transactions, and you may need to visit the bank in person or appoint a local representative to help with the process. Complying with local regulations Depending on the type of business, specific licenses and permits may be required to operate legally. For example, food service, healthcare, or transportation companies may need specific licenses. Compliance with local labour laws and intellectual property protections may also be necessary. Appoint directors and shareholders To register a company, you’ll need to appoint at least one director who resides in Australia. The director will be responsible for ensuring the company meets its legal obligations. You will also need to appoint shareholders, who can be either individuals or corporations. For foreign entrepreneurs, the requirement for a resident director is one of the key challenges. If you don’t have a trusted individual in Australia to act as the director, you can engage a professional service to fulfil this role. This ensures your business remains compliant with local regulations. Choose a company name Next, you need to choose a company name. The name should reflect your business but must be unique and available for registration. You can check the availability of a name through the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) website. Remember that the name must meet legal requirements and cannot be similar to an existing registered company. If you’re unsure, seeking professional advice is always a good move. Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Company Number (ACN) Once you’ve selected your business structure and appointed your directors, it’s time to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) and an Australian Company Number (ACN). These are essential for running your business in Australia. ABN: This unique 11-digit number allows your business to interact with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and other government agencies. ACN: This 9-digit number is allocated to your company upon registration with ASIC and serves as your business’s unique identifier. You can easily apply for both numbers online through the Australian Business Register (ABR) and the ASIC websites. Register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) If your business expects to earn more than $75,000 in revenue annually, you must register for GST. This means your business will charge customers an additional 10% on goods and services. The GST registration threshold for non-profit organisations is higher at $150,000 annually. If your company is below these thresholds, registering for GST is optional, but registration becomes mandatory once it exceeds the limit. Set up a registered office Every Australian company must have a registered office in Australia. This is where all official government documents, including legal notices, are sent. You can use your premises or hire a foreign company registration service to provide a virtual office address. Common challenges for foreign entrepreneurs While the process is relatively simple, there are a few hurdles that foreign entrepreneurs may encounter when registering a company in Australia: Resident director requirement: You’ll need a director residing in Australia. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to engage a service provider to fulfil this role. Understanding local tax laws: Australia has a corporate tax rate of 25% for small businesses with annual turnovers of less than $50 million. However, larger companies with turnovers exceeding $50 million are subject to a standard corporate tax rate of 30%. Foreign entrepreneurs must also understand the implications of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and payroll tax. Compliance with Australian regulations: Navigating Australia’s various regulations and compliance requirements can be time-consuming. An accountant or adviser can help you in this regard. FAQs Can I register a company in Australia as a foreigner? Yes, foreign entrepreneurs can register a company in Australia. The only requirement is to have a resident director. Do I need to be in Australia to register a company? No, you can complete the registration process online. However, you must appoint a resident director. Do I need an Australian bank account to start a business in Australia? You will need an Australian bank account to handle your business’s finances and transactions. Can I operate my Australian company from abroad? Yes, you can operate your company remotely, but you must comply with all local tax laws and regulations.