This Month
CGT discount ‘overtaxes’ investors during high inflation
It was not concessional during times of high price rises over the past five years, new research by the Institute of Public Affairs shows.
February
ATO targets 93,000 SMSFs in $1trn sector crackdown
One in seven self-managed superannuation funds don’t file tax returns on time, exposing a key problem for the ATO’s oversight of the fast-growing sector.
Tax agent tried to claim $350K Ferrari was FBT-free
A bid to escape fringe benefits tax on a Ferrari California has been thrown out after a tribunal ruled the car was used for “vanity” and trips with a girlfriend.
Not all capital gains are equal. So tax housing windfalls harder
When one asset class systematically generates passive, location-driven profits, taxing it more heavily than productive capital is economically defensible.
January
‘Soak the rich’ battle cry is rising from London to California
Throughout the West, governments are homing in on wealth taxes as a fix to rising fiscal problems. Emotions run high on both sides of the debate.
Family trusts just one of 7 ATO targets this year
The Tax Office has transitioned from pandemic-era leniency to large-scale crackdown on many of the strategies Australians use to get ahead.
Fix ‘cruel’ taxes for young workers, Kelty tells Labor
Labor luminary Bill Kelty says the Albanese government should redesign the tax system to fix inequality for younger and future generations.
December 2025
ATO cracks down on wealthy philanthropy
Tax deductions will be cancelled if a private ancillary fund does anything to erode the true value of a gift, such as funnelling money back to related parties.
November 2025
Worried by the ATO’s new trust crackdown? Here’s what you can do
Despite the practice being banned 25 years ago, the Australian Taxation Office says people are misusing the personal services income rules to avoid tax.
ATO targets high earners over use of trusts to evade tax
The ATO has spelled out exactly what it will allow as it launches a compliance campaign targeting white-collar professionals and tradies who use family trusts and other entities to aggressively reduce tax.
September 2025
What Australia could learn from the Nordics for a fairer tax system
Labor will be tempted to try to close down tax breaks and perceived loopholes, such as the capital gains tax discount, in the name of intergenerational fairness.
August 2025
Radical company tax plan splits CEOs, Henry and unions
A Productivity Commission proposal for a tax increase on the profits of the biggest companies and a tax cut for smaller companies has drawn strong responses.
July 2025
How this doctor will go skiing, upskill and claim a $30k tax deduction
Many professionals have to attend conferences to maintain their accreditation. Here’s how to claim work trips on tax without falling foul of the ATO.
Hit capital gains and trusts to cut income tax, experts tell Chalmers
Economists at a roundtable at Parliament have urged the government to reduce its dependence on wage taxes and rebalance the system to help younger people.
Labor’s charity tax could gut generosity in Australia
Much like recent changes to superannuation or proposals for taxes on unrealised gains, meddling with the philanthropic system erodes confidence.
June 2025
High Court grants ATO lifeline in $1b family trust case
The Tax Office can appeal in a dispute over the taxation of family trusts, placing a cloud over taxpayers’ ability to claim around $1 billion in refunds.
May 2025
Ford enlists Trump tax officials in billion dollar ATO brawl
The Trump administration has taken an aggressive stance against global taxation deals, and the ATO is embroiled in similar fights with ExxonMobil and PepsiCo.
April 2025
Think you pay too much tax? Not according to this measure
Australia has the fourth-highest income tax in the world, according to the OECD. But adding in other employment taxes puts us is in the middle of the pack.
March 2025
Mary and Tom demonstrate the effect of bracket creep’s sneaky toll
Lifting the income tax thresholds in line with wages growth would mean an extra $25,000 over a decade.
$1b family trusts dispute may be headed to the High Court
The Australian Taxation Office will continue to fight a decision that could leave it owing as much as $1 billion in refunds to 971,000 family trusts.
Victoria starts handing out hefty bills in land tax ‘grab’
More than 400,000 people who run a small business or Airbnb from their home have been hit with hefty land tax bills under the government’s plans to rein in debt.
February 2025
Chase has stalled in suspected $180m corporate fraud case
A liquidator has not been able to secure ATO funding to aid an investigation into a suspected tax fraud in the construction industry.
Meet the accountant linked to Sydney’s most infamous tax scammers
Filomena Kyriacou led an accounting firm that advised clients who avoided millions in tax, dealt with organised crime figures and was linked to some of the most infamous tax scammers in the country.
Family trusts may seek $1b in tax refunds after landmark decision
Family trusts incorrectly penalised by the Australian Tax Office should act now to lodge objections, lawyers say.
