The ATO is a large bureaucracy and produces a lot of guidance material. Thus it is important that advisers and taxpayers understand the range of material (or products) published by the ATO and the level of protection that each provides. Generally, the ATO feels bound by its published material from an administrative viewpoint. However, only [read more]
As a lawyer, I do a lot of work advising and representing approved SMSF auditors who are being audited/reviewed by the ATO and/or who have been referred to ASIC. Accordingly, I’m often very interested in the ‘business’ of being an approved SMSF auditor. Earlier this month, the ATO released data regarding titled ‘Self-managed super funds: [read more]
Background Since 1 July 2023, a Windfall Gains Tax (WGT) has been applied to land in Victoria that is rezoned from one zone type to another where the rezoning results in a value uplift to the land of more than $100,000. WGT is a substantial tax on the increased value of land in Victoria with [read more]
As a lawyer, I do a substantial amount of work advising and representing approved SMSF auditors who are being audited/reviewed by the ATO and/or who have been referred to ASIC. Accordingly, I was interested to see an article in selfmanagedsuper quoting ATO Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Delahunty as follows (https://smsmagazine.com.au/news/2025/01/20/proof-of-transaction-terms-a-concern/): Section 109 [of the SIS Act] [read more]
On 13 December 2024, the Victorian Government announced a substantial increase (between 100% to 190%, depending in the type of land involved) and other changes to the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL). All property owners in Victoria are required to pay this levy apart from certain exemptions and concessions. Rename the levy The current FSPL [read more]
The Victorian Government announced changes to the congestion levy as part of its 2024/25 Budget Update on 13 December 2024. This levy affects off-street car parking spaces in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD) and surrounding inner suburbs. This article follows on from the recent DBA article Congestion levy on parking spaces (Melbourne) and discusses some [read more]
The Victorian government has introduced a range of new or increased taxes in recent times. This article provides a brief summary on some of the recent changes to Victorian taxes relating to real estate. Commercial and Industrial Property tax From 1 July 2024 the Commercial and Industrial Property tax (CIPT) commenced. This new tax relies [read more]
This article is part of a series on SMSF succession planning. In Part 2, we explored the important role of binding death benefit nominations (BDBNs). In Part 3, we examine tax considerations for superannuation death benefits, as well as planning options for arranging a timely payment of benefits to the member before their death. Income [read more]
Owners and operators of off-street car parking spaces located in the Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs are liable to pay an annual congestion levy unless an exemption or concession applies. This article provides an overview on the levy under the Congestion Levy Act 2005 (Vic) (CLA). What is a leviable parking space? Broadly, the levy applies [read more]
A 7.5% levy on the total booking fees will apply for short stay rentals from 1 January 2025. The total booking fee is the sum of all fees and charges related to the booking, eg, cleaning fees, GST etc. However, the total booking fee does not include credit card fees/surcharges. The short stay levy (Levy) [read more]
