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SMSF deadline approaches for limited recourse borrowing arrangements

SMSF trustees have until 31 January 2017 to review their limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) to ensure they are consistent with an arm’s length dealing, or alternatively brought to an end if they are not.

The Tax Office recently provided further guidance to SMSF trustees on when the non-arm’s length income (NALI) provisions apply to an SMSF’s LRBA in their Practical Compliance Guideline (PCG 2016/5) and Taxation Determination (TD 2016/16).

When determining whether the NALI provisions apply, SMSF trustees must recognise it is a two-step process. First, it needs to be determined whether:
1. The terms of the LRBA are consistent with the safe harbours in PCG 2016/5
2. The SMSF trustee can otherwise demonstrate that they are arm’s length.

If the borrowing arrangement is on arm’s length then SMSF trustees do not have to consider TD 2016/16 and the ATO will not apply the NALI provisions.

However, trustees with an LRBA on terms that are non-arm’s length will need to consider TD 2016/16. Trustees will need to consider the second limb of the NALI provisions and whether or not the income the fund obtains under the arrangement is greater than it would otherwise have been.

SMSF trustees should be aware that TD 2016/16 is not an alternative to the safe harbours set out in PCG 2016/5 and only applies if borrowing terms of an LRBA are non-arm’s length.

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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?