Latest News

Hot Issues
spacer
Inflation continues to keep SME owners up at night, survey finds
spacer
Payday Super: 6 Things Small Businesses Need to Know
spacer
ATO issues new guidance on penalties for non-compliance with STP
spacer
Strategies for Effective Debt Recovery for Small Businesses
spacer
Succession planning to remain major focus for ATO this year
spacer
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Guide – Key Checklist & Rates
spacer
Buy an existing business
spacer
Most Valuable Industries in the World 2026
spacer
Will a shareholders agreement protect a business from a family law dispute?
spacer
ATO crackdown on profit restructuring leading to higher tax bills: RSM
spacer
Super balance not a priority for young Aussies, SMC reports
spacer
When to Update Your Business Trading Terms
spacer
Support for rebuilding after natural disasters
spacer
Are you ready for Payday superannuation?
spacer
Calculate your costs to start a business
spacer
Most Reliable Car Brands in 2026
spacer
Payday super part 2: not quite ‘all systems go’
spacer
Privacy Compliance Sweep 2026: Is Your Business Ready?
spacer
6 ways to improve your business plan
spacer
‘Looking like a rough start’: SMEs set to feel the pinch as CPI spikes
spacer
Student loans debt update
spacer
New SMSF education directions
spacer
Accountants must keep ‘watchful eye’ on financial abuse
Article archive
spacer
Quarter 1 January - March 2026
spacer
Quarter 4 October - December 2025
spacer
Quarter 3 July - September 2025
spacer
Quarter 2 April - June 2025
spacer
Quarter 1 January - March 2025
spacer
Quarter 4 October - December 2024
spacer
Quarter 3 July - September 2024
spacer
Quarter 2 April - June 2024
spacer
Quarter 1 January - March 2024
spacer
Quarter 4 October - December 2023
spacer
Quarter 3 July - September 2023
spacer
Quarter 2 April - June 2023
spacer
Quarter 1 January - March 2023
spacer
Quarter 4 October - December 2022
Updated guidance on R&D claims

New taxpayer alerts on incorrect R&D claims that are attracting our attention.

.

We've released 2 new taxpayer alerts to warn entities and their advisers about our concerns regarding incorrect Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive arrangements we’re reviewing. These alerts are about expenditure incurred to associated entities and activities conducted overseas for foreign related entities.

We’re concerned these arrangements are being used to:

  • claim the R&D tax offset in situations where it would not otherwise be available, either at all or in the income year claimed by the R&D entity
  • artificially increase the amount of the R&D tax offset claimed.

We encourage you to read these alerts and consider if your clients need to contact us or make a voluntary disclosure by amending their R&D tax incentive claim.

Penalties may apply to participants of these types of arrangements. These penalties can be significantly reduced if the amendment request is treated as a voluntary disclosure. Generally, the reduction is greater if the disclosure is made before being notified of an examination of your client's tax affairs.

About the alerts

Taxpayer Alert TA 2023/4 Research and development activities delivered by associated entities. We’ve identified arrangements where an entity incorrectly claims the R&D tax offset for expenditure incurred under an agreement with an associated entity who conducts those activities.

Taxpayer Alert TA 2023/5 Research and development activities conducted overseas for foreign related entities outlines our concerns about arrangements where Australian entities claim the R&D tax offset for expenditure incurred on R&D activities conducted overseas. Arrangements of concern include where an R&D entity has purported that R&D activities were conducted for its own benefit, but those activities were instead conducted for a foreign entity that is ‘connected with’, or is an ‘affiliate’, of the R&D entity.

To provide information about this or another type of arrangement, or about a promoter of this or another arrangement, you can:

 

 

ATO
14 December 2023
ato.gov.au

Liability limited by a Scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
© O'Brien and Partners 2024 - All Rights Reserved | 333 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 | Tel: 03 9509 3911 Site by Acctweb