Articles

The ATO has recently clarified the treatment of NDIS revenue for JobKeeper purposes. One of the many issues an employer needs to determine when considering eligibility to receive JobKeeper payments was whether the requisite decline in turnover could be established. A ‘concession’ provided by the Government in relation to how an employer should determine ‘turnover’ […]

The JobKeeper Payment Scheme has many intricacies and complexities. This is particularly true for not-for-profit entities, universities and religious institutions who are subject to additional rules and considerations in relation to the scheme.  As most readers would be aware, the JobKeeper Payment (JKP) scheme has been a major focus for all pockets of Australia since […]

On 19 May 2020, the Victorian Government announced a support package for Victorian Universities, with two main measures forming the package. The first measure of the package is the creation of Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund. This is a $350 million fund which aims to support universities with: capital works; applied research; and research […]

Not-for-Profit organisations registered with ACNC need to be aware of potential tax and other implications where providing gifts and honorariums to volunteers, staff, responsible persons, etc. It is not uncommon for not-for-profit (NFP) organisations registered with the ACNC to provide gifts or honorariums to volunteers or their staff as a token of appreciation. However, it […]

JobKeeper continues to evolve. Employers need to be aware of the changes. The JobKeeper Payment (JKP) scheme has been a major focus of the Government, media, advisers, businesses/employers and employees since it was first announced on 30 March 2020. Under the JKP scheme, employers (including not-for-profit (NFP) entities and charities) who have suffered a prescribed […]

Can a councillor salary package amounts otherwise due? Question Can a Councillor salary package amounts otherwise due from Council and instead receive use of a Council provided car (in a novated lease scenario)? Answer The simple answer is ‘yes”. However there are some important conditions that apply and it is useful to understand why salary […]

Is a person whom an employer has stood down due COVID-19 an employee for FBT purposes during the period of stand down? Question We have had to stand down some employees due to the COVID-19 crisis. If we provide benefits to these employees during the period they have been stood down does FBT arise? Answer […]

Below, we provide answers to some questions arising where COVID-19 meets FBT. The unique times we find ourselves in will hopefully be a once in a lifetime experience for most of us. Unfortunately, as employers, FBT will not be a once in a lifetime experience for you! For example, there is a high probability your […]

What are the employment-related tax implications for employers and employees if an employer makes a once-off working from home allowance to an employee? What is the effect of making a reimbursement instead of an allowance? During COVID-19, many employees are required to work from home and incur working from home expenses. Some employers are providing […]

When looking at the characterisation of exempt taxes, fees and charges, the GST provisions refer to supplies being regulatory in nature. How do you determine whether the provision of information, or thing being done, is regulatory in nature? When trying to determine whether a tax, fee or charge will be exempt from GST under Division […]