ATO

Financial planning

The Australian National Audit Office has identified shortcomings in the way the ATO surveys serious non-compliance and defines fraud....

Superannuation

Dangers still lurk when borrowing in SMSFs

There are still a number of legal issues that need to be resolved by the ATO and Treasury in relation to borrowing within SMSFs, and these grey areas represent a potentia...

Superannuation

ATO urges caution in selling pre-1999 SMSFs

The Australian Taxation Office has urged taxpayers to assess whether transitional rules apply if they sell pre-1999 self-managed superannuation funds with a related unit ...

Policy & Regulation

Dramatic rise in applications for release of tax debts in first half of financial year

The Australian Taxation Office is reporting a significant uptick in applications for release of tax debt as the downturn in the global economy continues to exert pressure...

Financial planning

Tax breaks stay, but the crop of horticulture projects dwindles

A troubled financial landscape and changes to agribusiness tax laws have delivered challenges for managed investment scheme operators. ...

Financial planning

Year end tax strategies - Getting down to business

Financial planners will be advising clients on tax strategies, but they need to consider their own businesses too, writes Mariana von-Lucken....

Superannuation

SMSF creation is spiking says ATO

The Australian Taxation Office has pointed to a spike in the number of self-managed superannuation funds being established but cautions that more testing marketing condit...

Superannuation

Fluctuating asset values create in-house asset headaches for SMSF trustees

But the Commissioner of Taxation said the ATO can provide relief for trustees being buffeted by current market conditions....