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Focus on wealthy Australians

The ATO has received additional Government funding to continue their focus on improving the voluntary compliance of wealthy Australians until 30 June 2017.

The ATO began focusing on wealthy Australians in 2009-10 with the ultimate goal of influencing all wealthy Australians to pay their fair share of tax. The ATO hoped to do this by changing attitudes and behaviours associated with tax manipulation, avoidance and schemes.

Wealthy Australians are defined as Australian residents who control net assets of between $5 million and $30 million.

The ATO’s strategy to influence wealthy Australians includes:

-gaining a greater and more detailed understanding of wealthy Australian’s

-treating systematic tax risk

-heightening ATO visibility in the community through education

The ATO has undertaken direct enforcement action, including comprehensive reviews and audits, as well as engaging with individuals through letter and phone campaigns.

The ATO has also recognised that many people who fall into the category of ‘wealthy Australian’ are asset rich but cash poor. This has led the ATO to work on managing disputed, collectable and insolvent debt.

As a result of their compliance activities, the ATO have exceeded liability targets.

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News

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?