The super guarantee (SG) amnesty, introduced by the government on 6 March 2020, allows employers to disclose and pay any unpaid super guarantee charges (SGC) that they owe for their employees, from quarters between 1 July 1992 and 31 March 2018, with nominal interest but without risk of incurring potentially huge penalties.
The DPN (Director Penalty Notice) regime was extended by legislation passed on 5 February 2020 so that now, a director can be held personally liable if the company has not met its GST obligations, in addition to the pre-existing liability of directors for unpaid company PAYG (pay-as-you-go) withholding and SGC (superannuation guarantee charge) obligations.
On 2 April 2019, the Treasurer of Australia, Josh Frydenberg, announced the 2019-2020 Federal Budget. Highlights include personal tax reductions for low- and middle-income earners, the extension of the instant assets write-off to more businesses, superannuation and social security measures to assist older Australians, and a strengthening of the ABN rules.
The 2018-2019 Federal Budget, handed down on 8 May 2018, focused on personal taxation, business taxation, superannuation, and measures to assist older Australians. Here, highlights are explained with tables to help calculate savings or changes to previous circumstances as the Budget 2018-2019 measures are brought into effect.
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If you’re the owner of an income producing property, then you are eligible to claim tax deductions for a number of expenses involved in holding the property.
There are a number of changes to superannuation starting on 1 July 2017 that are summarised below however, the key question is to decide what has to be done before 1 July 2017.
There are no changes to personal income tax rates and thresholds in the 2017-2018 Budget, and there will be relief from the 2% Budget deficit levy, as anticipated, from 30 June 2017. On the other hand, the Medicare levy will be increased to 2.5% from 1 July 2019. There were changes for people repaying HELP debts for higher education, and the unexpected token of a small, one-off payment to pensioners.
Perhaps the most significant initiatives contained in the Budget are the housing affordability measures, a comprehensive approach which includes assisting first home buyers to build a deposit inside superannuation and allowing older Australians to contribute downsizing proceeds into superannuation.
Here is an outline of changes in the 2017-2018 as relevant to individuals:
There were no major superannuation measures in the May 2017 Budget, with slated super reforms commencing 1 July 2017. However, there are now changes to depreciation and deductibility which many residential property investors, including SMSFs with residential property investment portfolios, will need to take into account. There is also encouragement for people over 65 to downsize their own homes to make a non-concessional super contribution from proceeds, the general idea being to help free up the stock of larger homes held by empty-nesters for more effective usage.
If you’re involved in property investment and superannuation decision-making and administration, here are the key points to consider:
The Federal Budget announced on 9 May 2017 delivered no sweeping changes to the small business landscape, and increased compliance is something that most business owners have become used to. However, there was some good news for business owners wanting to continue investing in assets to improve business productivity, profitability, and capacity for innovation.
Here we explain Budget highlights as relevant to small business owners:
The May 2016 Federal Budget announcement has delivered changes that will affect many people of all ages and stages in life. Some changes affect small business owners, and changes to taxation and superannuation (which includes SMSF members) will affect almost everyone. It’s not all bad news, of course! The changes for business owners and wage-earners are generally being received as favourable. Here we summarise the major changes, in easy point form. As always, we’re here to discuss the finer details and implications with you.
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