Latest News

Hot Issues
spacer
Benchmarks for small business
spacer
Right to Disconnect
spacer
There’s $18.9 billion in lost and unclaimed super - some may belong to you
spacer
Small businesses remain optimistic despite high stress, report reveals
spacer
Tax and your child’s money: what parents need to know including TFNs
spacer
How to declare minor children’s income
spacer
Net cash flow tax: What is it and what will it mean for SMEs?
spacer
Bribery, brothels, breaches of confidence: ATO officer loses appeal against imprisonment
spacer
Why Culture Matters (Even in Small Teams)
spacer
How to detect and prevent elder abuse when advising older clients: RSM
spacer
Div 296 must be considered ‘holistically’, IPA says
spacer
Working out your Work From Home (WFH) expenses – 2025 Rules
spacer
Accrued leave: take a holiday or take the payment?
spacer
Franchising and Leasing: Legal Issues to Consider When Securing a Location
spacer
Airplane Fuel Consumption Per Minute
spacer
‘Results in paying more tax’: ATO warns Australians against early super access
spacer
Employee or Contractor ?
spacer
Inherited assets: what you need to know about pre-CGT v post-CGT investments
spacer
WHS and OHS Regulatory Update: August 2025
spacer
HECS/HELP debt reduction Bill introduced
spacer
Non deductibility of ATO interest charges for businesses
spacer
How safe is your business from scams
spacer
The biggest earthquakes in history : (1905–2025)
spacer
What Terms Should I Include in a Capital Raising Term Sheet?
spacer
Prepare for Div 296 now, accountants warn
spacer
ATO, lawmakers demand urgent action as GST fraud skyrockets
Article archive
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
Part 1 – Budget reminders. Under the Hood.

 

The 2020 Federal Budget was one of the most far reaching and complex ever brought in.  This is the first of three articles to remind us of important topics the budget addressed. 

 

       

Exempting granny flat arrangements from CGT

Whilst there has been Centrelink encouragement for granny flats, the capital Gains Tax issues have prevented wider acceptance.  That may change now.

The law will be amended to provide a targeted CGT exemption for granny flat arrangements.

The CGT exemption will apply to arrangements with older Australians or those with a disability, where there is a formal written agreement in relation to the granny flat.

The new exemption is proposed to apply from the first income year after the date of Royal Asset of the enabling legislation.  This should mean the 2021 financial year.

The change will only apply to agreements that are entered into because of family relationships or other personal ties and will not apply to commercial rental arrangements.

 


 

Temporary Full Expensing of Eligible Capital Assets

Most businesses are now able to claim full deductions for depreciating assets.

Businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $5 billion will be able to deduct the full cost of eligible capital assets in the year they are first used.

Full expensing in the year of first use will apply to:-

  • New depreciating assets
  • The cost of improvements to existing eligible assets
  • For small and medium businesses (aggregated turnover of less than $50 million) – second-hand assets

Applies to eligible capital assets acquired after 7.30pm on 6 October 2020 and first used or installed by 30 June 2022.

In an extension to the previous rules, eligible businesses that acquire eligible new or second-hand assets under the $150,000 instant asset write-off by 31 December 2020 will have an extra six months, until 30 June 2021, to first use or install those assets.

Whilst the acquisition date is important, the asset must also be in use or ready for use.

 


 

Victoria’s business support and other State grants to be tax neutral

The Victorian Government’s business support grants for small and medium businesses, as announced on 13 September 2020, will become non-assessable, non-exempt (NANE) income for tax purposes.

The Federal Government will extend this arrangement to similar grants by all States and Territories on an application basis.

NANE income treatment is only available for grants announced on or after 13 September 2020 and paid between 13 September 2020 and 30 June 2021.

On 13 September 2020, the Premier of Victoria announced a $3 billion Business Resilience Package to help Victorian businesses impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 business restrictions and to prepare for ‘COVID Normal’ business.

The package includes grants of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 for eligible businesses in targeted sectors, depending on the size of annual payroll, in a third round of Business Support Fund.

State based grants without this legislation, are considered to be assessable income for income tax purposes  There is no immediate benefit, but this change will mean no 2021 income tax becomes payable.

 

 

 

AcctWeb

 

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