CPA Australia warn of anti-avoidance impacts

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.