ATO warns planners on aggressive tax practices
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has signalled it will be looking to financial advisers to help it in its current campaign against aggressive tax planning practices.
The ATO is expected to provide information materials to planners to assist them in discussing such tax arrangements with their clients.
The underlying message from the ATO to planners is that they need to be on the look-out for aggressive tax planning schemes to protect both their clients and their own reputations.
The ATO has cited the common warning signs of aggressive tax planning schemes as including:
- Lack of proper documentation, or advice discouraging seeking a second opinion;
- Financing arrangements that are too good to be true, including: promises of zero-risk; loans that don't have to be repaid; overly complex financing arrangements; and funding provided by the promoter; and
- Complex structures designed to hide, disguise, or improperly redirect income, expenses, or deductions.
"Being able to identify these schemes early will help to discourage your clients getting caught up in them before any damage is done," the ATO's message to planners said.
Recommended for you
As the government announces a public inquiry into the collapse of Dixon Advisory, risk adviser Richard Silberman has detailed the three areas that typically lead to an AFSL's collapse.
With a growing number of advisers now running their own business, they need to pivot their career identity to being a business owner rather than just as a financial adviser if they want to futureproof their business.
Zenith Investment Partners has launched a range of new managed account portfolios over the past quarter, including on Insignia Financial’s Expand platform.
The financial services technology firm has officially launched its digital advice and education solution for superannuation funds and other industry players.