CPA Australia warn of anti-avoidance impacts

government accounting

2 March 2012
| By Mike Taylor |
image
image
expand image

Key accounting body CPA Australia has warned that uncertainty surrounding the Government's intended tightening of the anti-avoidance provisions within the tax law makes it prudent for business to put key decisions on hold.

CPA Australia head of business and investment policy Paul Drum said businesses faced greater uncertainty and productivity losses as a result of the Government's moves on the anti-avoidance provisions.

Further, he said CPA Australia was of the view that the changes being pursued by the Government tinkered with a system which operated with the most stringent anti-avoidance provisions and which had, to date, operated effectively.

"These rule changes, which come into effect immediately, inject a heightened element of risk for companies should they take any significant business decisions until there is greater detail,' Drum said.

"In effect the message to business is: don't sign a major contract or embark on a significant undertaking until the bill is introduced to the Parliament," he said.

"The lack of clarity around the tax implications of such decisions means it would be wise to put such actions on hold."

Drum said the sweeping legislative changes being pursued by the Government appeared to be an over-reaction to a few individual incidents.

"As such, we believe a case by case approach would be more practical," he said.

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest news and developments in wealth management industry

MARKET INSIGHTS

Interesting. Would be good to know the details of the StrategyOne deal....

3 days 16 hours ago

It’s astonishing to see the FAAA now pushing for more advisers by courting "career changers" and international recruits,...

3 weeks 1 day ago

increased professionalism within the industry - shouldn't that say, FAR register almost halving in the last 24 months he...

4 weeks 1 day ago

Insignia Financial has made four appointments, including three who have joined from TAL, to lead strategy and innovation in its retirement solutions for the MLC brand....

2 weeks 3 days ago

A former Brisbane financial adviser has been charged with 26 counts of dishonest conduct regarding a failure to disclose he would receive substantial commission payments ...

2 days 14 hours ago

Pinnacle Investment Management has announced it will acquire strategic interests in two international fund managers for $142 million....

1 day 17 hours ago