australian taxation office

Policy & Regulation

Excess contributions tax targets the wrong people

The severe tax penalties for excess super contributions are not necessarily targeting the people the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) intends, according to the director o...

Financial planning

BT Wrap develops contributions tracker

BT Wrap has attempted to address the contentious issue of excess contributions caps through the development of a contributions tracking system....

Tools & guides

Keeping the taxman happy - CGT contribution caps explained

John Ciacciarelli demystifies small business CGT contribution caps....

Policy & Regulation

NAB ends 15-year tax dispute

The National Australia Bank has settled a 15-year long dispute with the ATO, with the bank ending up $142 million better off....

Tools & guides

Making superannuation contribution planning count

Contribution planning above the non-concessional caps is essential for superannuation, but you have to make sure it counts, writes Damian Hearn....

Financial planning

Year-end tax strategies: the transition phase

Damian Hearn explains the year-end tax strategies available to the self-employed during the transition-to-retirement stage....

Financial planning

ATO alert to tax avoidance in discretionary trusts

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has warned firms using discretionary trusts that they may be liable for penalties and charges....

Superannuation

Floods highlight problems with gearing in super

Gearing in self-managed super funds (SMSFs) is one of the most confusing issues for advisers, and the Queensland floods could highlight the need for legislative change, a...

Superannuation

Tax office fumbles lost super

The Australian National Audit Office has criticised the ATO for replicating the deficiencies of the past....

Editorial

Paying the high price of financial planning 'opt in'

With the Gillard Government believed certain to impose client 'opt in' arrangements on financial planners, Mike Taylor writes that some serious questions are being asked ...

Superannuation

ATO passes super tax issue to Treasury

The ATO says it has done as much as it can with respect to excess super contributions and the matter now resides with the Government and Treasury...

Tools & guides

Natural disasters: Extending a helping hand

Natural disasters have been at the forefront of Australian news recently. Graeme Colley explains the role of government assistance in helping people get back on their fee...