The impact of the COVID-19 virus pandemic on Australian and the rest of the world have been profound. The social, economic and political impacts do not need repeating or embellishment in this article. This has been a tough situation for the world to adapt to.
In response to this staggering event, which is without comparison in…
Do you owe Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Australia for Low Value Import Goods (LVIG)?
There are a lot of letters being sent by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to companies outside Australia telling them they are being reviewed or audited for GST in Australia. GST is the Australian version of a sales…
Claiming a tax deduction for expenses for a home-based business
If you operate some or all of your business from your home, you may be able to claiming a tax deductions for home-based business expenses in these categories:
occupancy expenses (such as mortgage interest or rent, council rates, land taxes, house insurance premiums)
running…
Tax office dirty tricks revealed
If you are in litigation with the ATO, expect them to use dirty tricks on you.
Below is a list of the dirty tricks that I have personally seen used on my clients:
Muddying the issue – when you appeal the ATO will sometimes “defend” a claim you did not…
The ATO’s booby trap exposed
The ATO runs a record keeping hustle which you are already on the wrong side of. However, if you know about it you can, at least, not be surprised when it happens. A bit like knowing that you will probably get your pocket picked in Rome. It might happen…
The ATO tax litigation process
After you’ve been through the hell of an audit and the ups and downs of an objection the last remaining ground of appeal is to the Courts.
The ATO tax litigation process-there are two options – the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is a non-cost…
GST and online shopping: demystifying the matrix
It used to be that if you bought something online from an overseas retailer and it had a value of less than $1,000, you wouldn’t have to pay GST.
Naturally Australian retailers were upset by this because if they sold the same product online it would incur GST. …
Online shopping in Australia is about to become more expensive
The Australian government has announced that from July 1, 2018, clothing, electronics and furniture (and other online shopping) purchased from overseas retailers with a value of under AU$1,000 will also incur a 10 per cent GST.
Up until now goods bought online in Australia…
Procedural fairness and natural justice: what the ATO does not want you to know
For most people, unfortunately, an audit by the ATO can turn into a life or death battle for your business. This can be due to any number of factors but usually will be due to time constraints on the part…
5 tips for successfully objecting against ATO decisions
You’re probably at this page because you’ve felt your heart sink after the friendly ATO auditor just sent you a massive tax bill based on something nebulous.
This is how ATO decisions are usually made: The ATO usually forms a theory and works backwards from it. You…