$20,000 instant asset write-off extended

The Government recently passed legislation to extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses by 12 months to 30 June 2026. Taxpayers should note that if their business has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million, they may be able to use the instant asset write-off (‘IAWO’) to immediately deduct the business […]

Work-related expense claims rejected by ART

The Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) recently disallowed a taxpayer’s claims for many different types of work-related expenses. The taxpayer was employed full-time as an engineer, working from home two days a week.  For the 2023 income year, he claimed deductions totalling over $61,000, in relation to (among other things) car expenses, travel expenses, clothing expenses, […]

ATO child support data-matching program

The ATO has advised that it will acquire child support data from Services Australia for the 2025 to 2027 income years, including the following: client identification details (names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth); and child support details (child support identification reference number, child support role type, and child support category).   The ATO […]

Time limits on GST and fuel tax credit claims

Taxpayers should note that GST credits and fuel tax credits will expire if not claimed within the 4-year credit time limit (i.e., generally four years from the due date of the original BAS in which the taxpayer could have claimed them). Once credits expire, the ATO has no discretion or ability to amend the assessment […]

Taxpayer’s dog breeding activities held to be an enterprise

The Administrative Review Tribunal (‘ART’) recently held that a taxpayer had carried on an enterprise of dog breeding for GST purposes. He had lodged activity statements for the quarters ended 30 September 2018 to 31 December 2021 inclusive, claiming input tax credits (‘ITCs’) for the dog breeding activities he carried on from his home (among […]

Mandating cash acceptance

The Government recently announced that it was delivering on its commitment “to mandate cash acceptance for essential purchases by finalising regulations that require fuel and grocery retailers to accept cash from 1 January 2026.” The changes mean that, from 1 January 2026, most food and grocery retailers must accept cash for in-person transactions of $500 […]

Tax dodgers banned from leaving the country

The ATO is actively using departure prohibition orders (‘DPOs’) as part of a broader shift towards strengthening payment performance and debt collection.  A DPO is an enforcement action available to the ATO to prevent certain persons with tax liabilities from leaving Australia without paying their outstanding tax. Since July 2025, the ATO has issued 21 […]

Paying super guarantee

The ATO is reminding employers that they must pay super guarantee (‘SG’) contributions for eligible employees Employers need to pay a minimum of 12% (the current SG rate as from 1 July 2025) of each employee’s ordinary time earnings into a complying super fund on a quarterly basis (the due date for the March 2026 […]

Dual cab utes and FBT

The ATO wishes to dispel the ‘common myth’ that dual cab utes are automatically exempt from fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’). If an employer provides dual cab utes to staff to complete their duties and the vehicle is available for personal use, then the benefit may be subject to FBT. By understanding how their employees use […]

ATO reminder: Business expenses that can (and cannot) be claimed

Taxpayers can claim a tax deduction for most business expenses, provided they meet the ATO’s three ‘golden rules’: 1) The expense must be for business use, not for private use. 2) If the expense is for a mix of business and private use, they can only claim the portion that is used for business. 3) […]

ATO’s focus on small business

The ATO is ‘detecting and addressing’ recurring errors in specific industries when businesses have a turnover between $1 million and $10 million. These industries include property and construction (including builders, contractors and tradies), and professional, scientific and technical services (including engineering, design, IT and consulting professionals). In these industries, the ATO continues to see recurring […]

New ATO Data-Matching Programs

The ATO acquires and uses data for pre-filling, detecting dishonest or fraudulent behaviour, and identifying areas where it can educate taxpayers to help them understand their tax obligations. When data does not match, the ATO may contact tax agents and their clients to find out why. Rental Income Data-Matching Over the coming months, the ATO […]