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You login to your myGov account to find that your activity statements for the last 12 months have been amended and GST credits of $100k issued. But it wasn’t you. And you certainly didn’t get a $100k refund in your bank account. What happens now? In what is rapidly becoming the most common tax scam,Read More »

Inheriting a property feels like a gift, but in the world of Australian tax, it’s a gift that comes with a complex instruction manual. Many of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules for inherited property are not just complicated; they’re deeply counter-intuitive. What you assume might be true can often be the opposite, leading to unexpected and costly tax bills.

Drawing from a recent expert webinar on the topic, we’ve distilled some of the most surprising and critical takeaways that every potential beneficiary, executor, and property owner should understand.

As Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) lodgement season approaches, family businesses should carefully review the perks they provide to working directors and family members. A high-profile case involving luxury vehicles provided to three brothers who run a large business empire through a discretionary trust highlights the complexities — and potential risks — of informal arrangements. While the case initially appeared to expand FBT exposure, the latest decision handed down by the Full Federal Court offers reassurance that not all benefits provided to working owners will automatically trigger FBT.

What may seem like harmless “owner entitlements” or beneficiary perks can still attract scrutiny from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). However, the courts have emphasised the importance of substance, documentation, and the capacity in which benefits are provided.

Running a successful business is hard work—and sometimes, despite best intentions, tax obligations slip. If the business is being operated through a company structure, then the ATO can potentially issue a Director Penalty Notice (DPN), holding company directors personally liable for unpaid taxes. In 2024–25, DPNs skyrocketed by 136%, reaching over 84,000 notices, affecting directorsRead More »

The ATO has issued a Draft Taxation Determination TD 2026/D1 which looks at how inherited family homes are treated for CGT purposes. Some industry commentators have dubbed it a “death tax by stealth”, but it is a bit more complex than this. The draft guidance focuses on a specific aspect of the rules around applyingRead More »

Trusts are the Swiss Army knife of asset protection—versatile, reliable, and widely recommended. But what happens when the tax consequences of moving assets in, out, and between trusts turn out to be far more treacherous than the brochure suggested? The sources reveal a landscape where timing nuances can shift tax liabilities between years, where well-meaningRead More »

If you’re thinking about moving property or investments into a trust, or out of a trust, it’s worth slowing down for five minutes. These transfers can look “simple on paper”, but the ATO often treats them as CGT events with market value rules, and the tax bill can land at the worst time — especiallyRead More »