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ATO Releases New Blueprint: Reinventing the ATO

Yesterday, the Australian Tax Office released a blueprint containing information on a new unit for wealthy taxpayers, as well as a new design to guide future proceedings with taxpayers.

Entitled ‘Reinventing the ATO’, the blueprint outlines an exclusive unit to deal with wealthy individuals in Australia and at least one million privately owned businesses. The announcement of this new unit comes in response to the government being forced to defend exempting Australia’s biggest private companies from tax disclosure requirements.

Beginning in late April, the taxpayers who make over $1 billion or have $500 million in assets will be personally contacted by the ATO to discuss assessments of tax risks or issues. Other taxpayers in this segment who attract attention from the ATO, will also be provided with a report outlining any risk assessments or concerns.

For thousands of small businesses, the ability to pay all their employee super contributions at once to the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will be possible by July, and there will also be enhancements made to the ATO’s small business newsroom.

The blueprint is available today on the ATO website, and contains information for both the community and ATO staff.

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No More Shortcuts: The Methods You Can Use To Claim WFH Expenses

March 25, 2024

Ensure you’re up to date on how to claim your working-from-home expenses!

As the business landscape shifts back and forth between office, hybrid and home-based work opportunities, it’s important to remember what methods are available to you when it comes to claiming. If part of your role allows you to work from home, you may be able to claim certain expenses on your tax return this year using one of the following methods.

The Revised Fixed Rate Method:

Under the revised fixed rate method, individuals can claim 67 cents per hour worked from home during the relevant income year. This rate includes additional running expenses, such as home and mobile internet or data, phone usage, and electricity and gas for heating, cooling, and lighting. Importantly, using this method, you cannot claim separate deductions for these expenses.

To use this method, taxpayers must maintain records of the total number of hours worked from home and the expenses incurred while working at home. Additionally, they must keep records of expenses not covered by the fixed rate per work hour, demonstrating the work-related portion of those expenses.

What Records Do You Need?

Previously, taxpayers required a dedicated workspace at home. From 1st March 2023 onwards, the record-keeping requirement has shifted again, necessitating the recording of all hours worked from home as they occur.

How Does The Fixed Rate Method Work?

To utilise the revised fixed rate method:

The Actual Cost Method:

Alternatively, taxpayers can opt for the actual cost method, where deductions are calculated based on actual additional expenses incurred while working from home. This includes expenses for depreciating assets, energy expenses, phone and internet, stationery, computer consumables, and cleaning dedicated home offices.

What Records Do You Need?

To claim work-from-home expenses using actual costs, you must maintain records showing:

How Does The Actual Cost Method Work?

To claim actual expenses:

Australians need to understand their entitlements and tax deductions while working remotely.

Consulting with a tax advisor can provide valuable insights into available concessions, deductions, and offsets for your tax return.

By staying informed and adhering to ATO guidelines, taxpayers can ensure compliance and make the most of available deductions in the evolving landscape of remote work. Why not start a conversation with us today?