Boost Your Future: The Benefits of Extra Super Contributions

Superannuation, or ‘super’, is a way of saving for retirement in Australia. While your employer is required to make contributions to your super, adding a bit more yourself can make a big difference. Here’s why making additional contributions to your superannuation is a smart move.

 

1. Tax Benefits

One of the biggest advantages of contributing extra to your super is the tax benefits. When you make voluntary contributions from your pre-tax income (known as salary sacrifice), these contributions are taxed at a lower rate of 15%, compared to your regular income tax rate, which can be much higher.[1]This means you can save on taxes while boosting your retirement savings.

 

2. Government Co-Contributions

If you’re a low or middle-income earner, the government may also contribute to your super. For every dollar you contribute after tax, the government might add up to 50 cents, up to a maximum of $500 per year.[1]This is a great way to get extra money into your super without any extra effort.

 

3. Compound Interest

The earlier you start contributing extra to your super, the more you benefit from compound interest. This means you earn interest on your interest, and over time, this can significantly increase your super balance. Even small additional contributions can grow substantially over the years.[2]

 

4. Financial Security in Retirement

By making extra contributions, you’re investing in your future financial security. The more you have in your super, the more comfortable your retirement can be. You’ll have more money to cover living expenses, healthcare, travel, and other activities you enjoy.[3]

 

5. Less Reliance on the Age Pension

With a larger super balance, you may be less reliant on the government Age Pension. This can give you more financial independence and flexibility in retirement. It also means you’re better prepared for any unexpected expenses that might come up.[3]

 

6. Insurance Benefits

Many super funds offer insurance cover, such as life insurance, total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance, and income protection insurance. By having a higher super balance, you can ensure that you have adequate insurance cover, providing peace of mind for you and your family.[4]

 

7. Spouse Contributions

If you have a spouse, you can also contribute to their super. This can be particularly beneficial if one partner has a lower super balance. By boosting your spouse’s super, you can both enjoy a more comfortable retirement.[1]

 

8. Downsizer Contributions

If you’re 55 or older and selling your home, you can make a downsizer contribution to your super of up to $300,000 from the sale proceeds. This is a great way to boost your super balance without affecting your contribution caps.[1]

 

9. Investment Returns

Super funds invest your money in various assets like shares, property, and bonds. By contributing more, you’re increasing the amount invested, which can lead to higher returns over time. This can significantly grow your super balance, especially if your investments perform well.[4]

 

10. Peace of Mind

Finally, making extra contributions to your super can give you peace of mind. Knowing that you’re taking steps to secure your financial future can reduce stress and help you feel more confident about your retirement plans.[2]

 

Conclusion

Making additional contributions to your superannuation is a powerful way to enhance your retirement savings. With tax benefits, government co-contributions, and the magic of compound interest, even small extra contributions can make a big difference. Start today and invest in your future!

 

References
[1] Options for adding to your super | Australian Taxation Office
[2] Personal super contributions | Australian Taxation Office
[3] Top 10 superannuation benefits for saving money | ART
[4] Super contributions – Moneysmart.gov.au

 

The content within this blog has been sourced from our Licensee, Alliance Wealth’s blog ‘Realise Your Dream’.
https://blog.centrepointalliance.com.au/realiseyourdream/boost-your-future

 

General Advice Warning
This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs, or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication. Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, it is based on our understanding of current regulatory requirements and laws at the publication date. As these laws are subject to change you should talk to an authorised adviser for the most up-to-date information. No warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly neither nor its related entities, employees, or representatives accepts responsibility for any loss suffered by any person arising from reliance on this information.

It’s tax time again! The end of the financial year seems to arrive quicker every year. This can be a stressful time of year that many of us might dread, however, utilising the end of the financial year can be the perfect opportunity to organise your finances.

To avoid the hassle of amendments and ensure your tax return is correct and complete, we recommend waiting until all of your information is available on your ATO records, including possibly:

  1. Your income statement/(s) status is “Tax Ready” before proceeding to lodge your return
  2. Ensuring Private Health Insurance Information is available
  3. Any other income, such as Interest, dividends and managed funds, is available on your ATO records

 

When to complete your tax return

When your income statement is marked as “Tax Ready,” it means your employer has finalised all relevant details regarding your wage, tax, and super contributions. Using this final information will ensure the accuracy of your tax return.

Lodging your return with a “Not Tax Ready” status means you will be relying on incomplete or estimated information, which will increase the risk of errors and potential discrepancies. If your employer finalises your income statement after you’ve lodged your return, you will need to amend your return, which can be time-consuming and may result in additional tax liabilities and penalties may apply.

 

Income Statements (Formally known as Payment Summaries or Group Certificates)

To proceed with lodging your tax return, you first must have a summary of employee income, which is also known as an Income Statement (Formally known as a Payment summary or group certificate).

Every year, all workers must have access to this information provided by their employer by July 14th. The same deadline still applies, regardless of if the amount being withheld is $0.

 

Private Health Insurance

Due to recent changes made by the Australian Government, health funds are no longer obligated to automatically provide members with an annual tax statement via mail or email. If you file your tax return online using myTax or through a registered tax agent, you no longer need to manually enter your health insurance tax information, and it will be automatically filled in by late July.

If you and your entire family unit don’t have the appropriate private patient hospital cover, you may be liable for the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) in addition to the 2% Medicare Levy. The surcharge amount does differ as it depends on your income and individual circumstances. By you and your entire family unit purchasing suitable hospital coverage through an approved health insurer, you can avoid this surcharge at tax time. (Please note that this can be apportioned on a daily basis where coverage commences part-way through a year)

 

Home Office Deductions

The number of people working from home has increased since COVID-19. If you work from home, you may be eligible to claim deductions for related expenses. These deductions can include costs for stationery, energy, and office equipment.

Per 2023 financial year, there are two methods and both require you to maintain relevant records and documentation. This includes:

  1. Fixed Rate Method – Require a record of all the hours you work from home for the entire year
  2. Actual Cost Method – Require a record and documentation of all your home office expenses and the business use percentage

If you would like to check your eligibility and find out more information on what you can claim, you can learn more here.

 

Support for Small Businesses

As part of the 2024–25 Budget on May 14, 2024, the government proposed an extension on the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses by an additional 12 months until June 30, 2025. This measure aims to improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs.

Small businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million can immediately deduct the cost of eligible depreciating assets under $20,000. This applies to assets used or installed between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025. “Immediately deductible” means claiming a tax deduction in the same year the asset is purchased and used. For GST-registered businesses, the cost must be under $20,000 after GST credits; for non-registered businesses, it must be under $20,000 including GST, applying to each individual asset. (Please note that neither the 2024 or 2025 Financial Years have been Legislated yet and the Senate is requesting that the limit be set at $30,000).

 

Tax returns Geelong with the experts at The Hrkac Group

If you need assistance with lodging your tax return or you have any questions about how to best prepare for tax time and maximise your return, The Hrkac Group team of accountants have the knowledge and are here to help make your life easier.

Get in touch and book your tax appointment with the HG Accounting professionals today! Call us on (03) 5224 2366 or book your appointment here.

 

General Advice Warning
This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs, or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication. Whilst all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, it is based on our understanding of current regulatory requirements and laws at the publication date. As these laws are subject to change you should talk to an authorised adviser for the most up-to-date information. No warranty is given in respect of the information provided and accordingly, neither nor its related entities, employees, or representatives accepts responsibility for any loss suffered by any person arising from reliance on this information.
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With tax season rapidly approaching, we all enjoy exploiting any offset offered by the government to reduce our tax bill. Unfortunately, it’s important to note that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has recently announced the Low and Middle-Income Tax Offset (LMITO) has been discontinued and will no longer be available to claim starting from this 2022-23 financial year. You might be wondering how this change affects you and your tax bill.

 

Firstly, what was the LMITO

 The LMITO was introduced in the 2018-19 financial year as a temporary measure to provide relief to individuals earning low to middle incomes. This offset gave taxpayers earning up to $126,000 a maximum tax break of $1,500. It aimed to supplement the income tax cuts introduced by the government and benefit those who may not have benefited significantly from the changes in tax brackets.

The LMITO was structured as a non-refundable tax offset, meaning it could reduce the amount of tax an individual owed. However, it did not result in a cash refund if the offset exceeded the total tax liability if you did not use the full offset amount of $1,500. For example, if you earn $35,000 in the financial year, the maximum you could receive as an offset was $675 and there was no more you could claim or receive. LMITO only reduced the tax payable amount where you had paid tax during the year. The offset amount varied depending on an individual’s taxable income, as seen in the table below, with the maximum benefit available for claiming $1,500 to those earning between $48,001 and $126,000 per year.

Taxable income Maximum offset amount
$0-$37,000 $675
$37,001-$48,000 $675 plus 7.5 cents for every $1 above $37,000, to a max of $1,500
$48,001-$90,000 $1,500
$90,001-$126,000 $1,500 minus 3 cents for every dollar above $90,000

 

There is still an offset to be claimed, the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO).

 With LMITO being discontinued for the 2022-23 financial year, there is still an offset that can be claimed, called the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO).

Are you finding these acronyms confusing, is this the same offset?

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) is in place to help low-income earners, those earning up to $66,667 per year. So, if you earn more than $66,667, you cannot claim this refund.

Similar to the LMITO structure, LITO can only reduce the tax payable amount where you have paid tax during the financial year and it is a non-refundable tax offset. Meaning it will reduce the amount of tax an individual owes but will not result in a cash refund for the portion not offsetting their income. The offset amount varies depending on an individual’s taxable income, as seen in the table below:

Taxable income Maximum offset amount
$0-$37,500 $700
$37,501-$45,000 $700 minus 5 cents for every $1 above $37,500
$45,001-$66,667 $325 minus 1.5 cents for every $1 above $45,000

 

Impact on taxpayers

 The removal of the LMITO will have varying effects on taxpayers depending on their income levels. Individuals who previously benefited from LMITO may experience a slight increase in their tax bill. The extent of the impact will be directly related to their taxable income and how the changes in the regular tax rates and brackets align with their circumstances.

It is important to note that while LMITO has been discontinued, the tax cuts that were implemented alongside its introduction remain in effect. These tax cuts, which were aimed at benefiting low and middle-income earners, are still applicable and will continue to provide some relief.

Rest assured, the discontinuation of the LMITO won’t impact your monthly pay cheque. However, if you previously enjoyed the benefits of this tax offset, its cessation means a higher overall tax payment and a potentially reduced tax refund during tax season.

 

Don’t forget you CAN now claim for your home office expenses if you are working from home

Remember the ATO has introduced changes to home office claims for the 2022-2023 financial year. These changes aim to reflect the increased costs associated with working from home and to make it more straightforward for taxpayers to claim their home office expenses. You can read our blog here to learn further details of what exactly it means for you.

 

Geelong Accounting

As you prepare for the upcoming tax return season, it’s always advisable to consult with a tax accountant or use a reliable tax calculator to understand the changes and accurately estimate your tax obligations. Staying informed about tax policy updates is crucial to ensure compliance.

The expertise and experience of our Geelong Accountants at The Hrkac Group can help you with your tax return. If you need assistance or advice about what offsets you can claim or whether you’re entitled to claim working-from-home expenses or any other tax questions, then please get in touch. To make an appointment to meet with one of our friendly Geelong Accountants, contact us via email or phone (03) 5224 2366.

 

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If you’ve been trading cryptocurrencies, you may have to report it on your tax return. Working out your cryptocurrency tax can be complicated, and there are a lot of different factors you need to consider when preparing your tax return. To help you out, we have developed a quick guide to break down everything you need to know about cryptocurrency and tax in Australia.

 

What are cryptocurrencies? 

Simply put, cryptocurrency is a new form of digital money that operates on blockchain technology. They don’t physically exist. Like regular cash, digital currencies are accepted as a means of payment and can be used to purchase goods and services online. Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency, but there are many others out there.

 

How they work

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) classifies cryptocurrency as an asset; therefore, you will need to assess your Capital Gains Tax every time you trade, sell or give away your cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and income tax, however, exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Capital gains are the tax you pay when you make a profit on a transaction. For example, if you buy a Bitcoin for $3,000 and sell it six months later for $5,000 then you’ve made a capital gain of $2,000 and will need to pay tax on that amount.

On the other hand, when cryptocurrency service providers send free coins to users (also known as airdrops), this can trigger income tax. The value of those coins must be declared as ordinary income.

 

How does the ATO figure out how much crypto tax I owe? 

In late 2019, the ATO started collecting records from Australian cryptocurrency service providers to ensure people were tax compliant. Each time you make a transaction, there is an electronic record that is reported to the ATO from your service provider. That’s why it’s more important than ever to know what you’re doing and report your income correctly.

 

Am I an Investor or Trader?

The first thing you need to do is to determine whether you’re classified as an investor or trader by the ATO.

An investor is someone who buys and sells cryptocurrency for long-term personal gain. The majority of people who engage in cryptocurrency are considered to be investors, therefore their transactions are subject to Capital Gains Tax.

On the other hand, a trader is someone who carries on a business to earn income from buying and selling cryptocurrency. Rather than putting a value on capital gains, they treat their profits as business income instead. For traders, different Income Tax rules apply compared to Investor CGT Events.

 

To give you a better understanding, in each scenario below, we determine the type of tax liability that applies.

Buying Cryptocurrency – There are no taxes involved when you buy cryptocurrency in Australian Dollars.

Selling Cryptocurrency – Selling cryptocurrency will trigger Capital Gains Tax. Capital gains or loss can be calculated by subtracting the amount you paid for a cryptocurrency from the amount you sold it for. This figure forms part of your income and needs to be declared on your tax return.

Trading Crypto for Crypto – Buying one cryptocurrency with another will trigger Capital Gains Tax. The ATO sees a trade as two separate transactions, first, you are selling your cryptocurrency for X amount, then buying another with those earnings. So, even though you never receive the money in hand, you still need to pay tax on the sale.

Gifting Cryptocurrency – Gifting crypto is considered the same as selling it, so it is a taxable event and subject to the Capital Gains Tax. You don’t have to pay taxes when you receive cryptocurrency as a gift. However, you will be subject to the Capital Gains Tax when you dispose of the gifted cryptocurrency.

 

What records do I need to keep?

Whether you’re an investor or a trader you need to keep clear records, including the following information:

  • The value of the transaction
  • The date the transaction was completed
  • The purpose of the transaction
  • The details of the other party involved

Examples of useful records to keep include:

  • Receipts of your cryptocurrency purchase
  • Records of agent, accountant, and legal costs
  • Exchange records
  • Digital wallet records
  • Software costs associated with the management of your tax affairs

 

Where do I keep these records? 

There are a number of different cryptocurrencies tracking software available in the marketplace that can help you keep track of all your transactions. (CoinTracker is one example of no doubt many – however, please be aware we are not recommending this product. You should conduct your own research and investigations before deciding on a specific product).

If you need assistance with your tax return or need more information about how cryptocurrencies may affect your taxes, please contact The Hrkac Accounting Team on 03 5224 2366.

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It’s that time of year again, and although it’s been a bumpy 2020 so far, your tax appointment doesn’t need to be stressful. If you’re prepared with the right paperwork, receipts, and statement information, you are on track for a hassle-free appointment with the Hrkac Group Accounting team.

Our Accounting team has prepared some handy checklists for both Personal and Business tax return appointments. You can use these as a guide for what you might need to bring with you/have them handy for your appointment this year.

 

Personal Tax Return Checklist

Top items to bring:

  • A copy of last year’s Tax Return
  • PAYG/Group Certificates
  • Receipts for claims/deductions
  • Self-Education costs
  • Private Health Insurance Annual Taxation Statement

Download the full checklist here:

Download.

Working from home?

If you have been working from home over the past few months, you may be able to claim work-related expenses on your tax return.

For more information on what you can and can’t claim, visit the ATO website:

Working from Home Information.

Business Tax Return Checklist

Top items to bring:

  • Back up or invite your Hrkac Accounting specialists to your accounting program
  • Capital purchase documentation
  • Payroll records
Download.

Not all items on these checklists may apply to your return and you don’t have to bring these to your appointment, but they can be handy to keep on file for next year. If you are unsure about any of the items on the checklist, bring as much information as you can to your appointment, and we can help you know what is relevant to your tax return.

Book online

The Hrkac Group is ready to take your Tax Return appointments for 2020, whether it be in person, over the phone or via video call – the choice is yours.

You can make your appointment online with John, James, Shane or Linda by clicking the button below.

When you arrive for your appointment, please take the time to read our COVID-19 policy notice at the entrance, before entering. We ask if you are feeling unwell, to please reschedule your in person appointment to a later date or contact our office to change your appointment to a Zoom/Phone appointment.

Book online.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

As we’re gearing up for our busy period, we want to make sure your preparation for this year’s Tax Return appointment is easy and hassle free. From experience, providing the right paperwork, receipts and statement information is the key to ensuring you get the best out of your Tax Return appointment. With this in mind, our Accounting specialists have gathered together an informative checklist you can use as a guide.

Anyone can use our business or personal tax return checklists to prepare for their appointment – flag it in your inbox, bookmark it or even print it out. You can keep coming back to these guides, so you know what to bring to make your appointment run smoothly.

 

Personal Tax Return Checklist

Some important items to remember:

  • A copy of last year’s Tax Return
  • PAYG/Group Certificates
  • Receipts for claims/deductions
  • Self-Education costs
  • Private Health Insurance Annual Taxation Statement
Download

Business Tax Return Checklist

Some important items to remember:

  • Back up or invite your Hrkac Accounting specialists to your accounting program
  • Capital purchase documentation
  • Payroll records

Download

 

Not all items on these checklists may apply to your return and you don’t have to bring these to your appointment, but they can be handy to keep on file for next year. If you are unsure about any of the items on the checklist, bring as much information as you can to your appointment, and we can help you know what is relevant to your tax return.

This year, The Hrkac Group is taking online bookings for Tax Return appointments. You can use the link below to book your appointment online or use the top right button on our website whenever you’re ready.

Book Online

Top Tip 2019:

Although technology is helping us improve our taxation processes, we don’t always have online access to the most up to date information available.

It’s important to bring your Group Certificate to this year’s appointment so that we can work with the correct and most recent information (we can’t always access your certificates online.)

If you have any questions or would like to book your Tax Return appointment, please contact The Hrkac Group here.

 

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Single Touch Payroll (STP) is a way of streamlining tax and super information to the ATO from your payroll or accounting software. Designed to provide ‘real-time reporting solutions, the implementation of STP will mean employers will now report figures at the time of payroll, and employees can access year-to-date tax and superannuation details as they require them.

So what does this mean for employers and employees alike?

 

For the Employers

All businesses will be required to comply with Single Touch Payroll from 1st July 2019. In the coming months, we will see new software solutions and options enter the market. Early adoption is possible, and some businesses may have seen this already as providers have begun rolling out new software options for those businesses wanting to uptake this method of data processing. Businesses utilising STP will be able to report employees’ salaries and wages, allowances, deductions (for example, workplace giving) and other payments, pay as you go (PAYG) withholding, and superannuation information, while eliminating the need to provide end of year payment summaries.

 

For Employees

The main change for employees is the introduction of real-time reporting meaning we will slowly see the reduced need for EOFY PAYG Withholding Payment Summary. This information will now be available via your myGov account, allowing access to year-to-date taxation summaries and super information, continuously being updated in real-time as your employer pays you. You will also be able to continually check your super contributions and receive your tax-ready payment summary information (income statement) via myGov.

For more information, visit the ATO website.

Follow our handy Personal and Business Tax Time Checklists to make sure you’re prepared.

So it’s that time of year yet again! If you are new to lodging a tax return or if you are a new Start-Up Business or Sole trader/contractor – even if you’ve been doing it for years – getting all of your financial documentation together can be a daunting task.

If you just don’t know where to start, the Hrkac Group are here to help. We strive to take the guesswork out of Tax time and have put together helpful checklists for both personal and business taxation clients, so that you can be confident that you have everything in order.

For those looking to lodge a personal tax return, here is a list of some of the items required by your registered tax agent:

  • A Copy of your previous years income tax returns (new clients only)
  • PAYG payment summaries Group Certificates
  • Dividends and other investment income
  • All Rental Property Information
  • Receipts for any possible claims/deductions including:
  • Motor Vehicle expenses
  • Any Travel expenses
  • Uniform purchases and Laundry costs
  • Self Education Costs
  • Any Work related expenditures
  • Tax agent fees paid during last financial year (new clients only)
  • Your account bank details for any refund
  • Any Gifts or Donations
  • Income Protection premiums paid
  • Private Health Insurance Annual Taxation Statement

For those of you running a business, here is a list of some of the items required by your registered tax agent:

  • Backup or invite your agent to join your Accounting program
  • (i.e MYOB/Reckon/Quickbooks/Xero)
  • Bank Statements for all business accounts including loan statements
  • Documentation for any new Capital purchases such as Motor Vehicles or properties
  • Trade Debtors listing as at the end of the period
  • Trade Creditors listing as at the end of the period
  • Detailed payroll records
  • Do you have any carried forward capital losses? If yes, how much

New clients will also need:

  • a copy of most recent years financials and tax returns
  • Previous accounting fees paid
  • Personal and business details

Download our Personal Tax Checklist or our Business Tax Checklist here!

If you would like to know more or to make a time to see one of our Geelong based Personal or Business Tax Specialists, feel free to contact the Hrkac Group today!

Are you an employer? Are you aware of the recent changes?

As of October 1st 2016 the ATO have put out changes to the PAYG withholding tax rate for employees earning over $80,000 a year.

These changes see the 32.5% Tax threshold increase from $80,000 to  $87,000 in the withholding schedules as a result of  personal income tax relief changes.

If any extra tax was withheld from your employees before the rate change on October 1st, your employees will be credited when they lodge their 2016-17 income tax returns. No employer adjustment or refund is required.

Feel free to contact us at The Hrkac Group for advice on these PAYG tax rate changes and download the updated tax rate tables here.

Follow our handy Personal and Business Tax Time Checklists to make sure you have everything in order.

So it’s that time of year again! For some it has become like driving a car or riding a bike, you just go into autopilot and you can get everything in order without breaking a sweat. For others, in particular those that are new to lodging a tax return or for a new Start-Up Business or Sole trader/contractor, it can be a daunting task. Where do you just don’t know where to start?

Luckily at the Hrkac Group, we strive to take the guess work out of Tax time, and have put together some helpful hints, so you know that you have everything in order.

For those looking to lodge a personal tax return, here is a list of some of the items required by your registered tax agent:

  • A Copy of your previous years income tax returns (new clients only)
  • PAYG payment summaries Group Certificates
  • Dividends and other investment income
  • All Rental Property Information
  • Receipts for any possible claims/deductions including:
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Any Travel expenses
  • Uniform purchases and Laundry costs
  • Self Education Costs
  • Any Work related expenditures
  • Tax agent fees paid during last financial year (new clients only)
  • Your account bank details for any refund
  • Any Gifts or Donations
  • Income Protection premiums paid
  • Private Health Insurance Annual Taxation Statement

For those who own a business, here is a list of some of the items required by your registered tax agent:

  • Backup or invite your agent to join your Accounting program
    (i.e MYOB/Reckon/Quickbooks/Xero)
  • Bank Statements for all business accounts including loan statements
  • Documentation for any new Capital purchases such as Motor Vehicles or properties
  • Trade Debtors listing as at the end of the period
  • Trade Creditors listing as at the end of the period
  • Detailed payroll records
  • Do you have any carried forward capital losses? If yes, how much

New clients will also need:

  • a copy of most recent years financials and tax returns
  • Previous accounting fees paid
  • Personal and business details

 

Download the version of our Personal Tax Checklist or our Business Tax Checklist here!

If you would like to know more or to make a time to see one of our Geelong based Personal or Business Tax Specialists, feel free to contact the Hrkac Group today!

What to look out for to ensure you’re not falling victim.

Have you received emails, phone calls or letters from the Australian Tax Office, demanding payments for outstanding tax bills using iTunes cards? Be careful, these could be part of a new sophisticated tax scam defrauding Australians.

Typically, when emails are used as correspondence, these emails contain links to fake websites that look remarkably genuine and may have attachments containing system-corrupting Malware or, in some cases, “Ransomware” which seeks payment for unlocking access to your own computer files.

Little can be done to stop scams such as these, with the criminals responsible often being based offshore and using techniques that are near-on impossible to trace by local authorities.

As your authorised Tax Agent, contact from the ATO about your taxation affairs should always come via our office. In particular the Australian Tax Office DOES NOT make phone calls soliciting payments for outstanding debt without first writing to taxpayers. Should you receive any direct contact purporting to be from the ATO, notify us immediately and we will work to verify it as genuine. Alternatively you can take matter up directly with the ATO in 1800 008 540.

Under NO circumstances should you pay an alleged Tax Debt without establishing its validity with us first.

Follow the link here to read the Tasmanian Police Media release. Follow the link here to read the Australian Tax Office Media Release.

If you have any queries or concerns or feel you may have been caught up in this scam, feel free to contact one of the Geelong based Tax specialists at The Hrkac Group.

What has changed and what you need to know.

In early November the Federal Government passed a bill to make an amendment to legislation regarding the repayment of Fee HELP/HECS Loans for those people who have moved overseas.

Previously, the legislation was that If you went overseas and said that you were no longer an Australian tax resident, i.e. you had no intention of ever returning to Australia (different to being an Australian citizen); your HELP/HECS Debt would just sit there regardless of what you earn overseas. If you never returned to Australia, you would never repay your debt.

Under the new amendment, regardless of whether you are an Australian Tax Resident or not; if you have a HELP/HECS debt and total worldwide earnings are over the relevant Australian Taxable income threshold; you are now required to make repayment under Australian law.

The following bills passed the Senate without amendments:

Education Legislation Amendment (Overseas Debt Recovery) Bill 2015 and Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Bill 2015 .

The Bills propose amendments to implement a 2015-16 Budget proposal to ensure that the same debt repayment obligations that apply to debtors who live in Australia apply to those who live overseas.

The Overseas Debt Recovery Bill will create an obligation to make repayments on their HELP and TSL debts based on their total Australian and foreign-sourced income, known as their worldwide income. This will be imposed as a levy (to be known as the “overseas debtors repayment levy”) through the other Bill.

If you would like to know more about how this may impact you either currently or in the future, feel free to contact one of our Geelong-based Tax specialists!