Articles

The ATO has released a draft ruling on car parking fringe benefits and a draft replacement chapter on car parking in the ATO’s FBT guide for employers.  In particular, we draw your attention to the ATO’s approach to car parking fringe benefits in the context of workhorse cars and to two issues relating to commercial […]

Does FBT apply to a meal consumed and travel undertaken by staff who attend an event sponsored by their employer? Question We are a government department and often provide sponsorship to third party organisations. In return, we may receive spots for annual award dinners etc. which we then send our staff to. We assume FBT […]

The end of the FBT year draws near!  As always, in addition to the perennial issues like dealing with entertainment and motor vehicles there are new developments to keep in mind when preparing your organisation’s FBT return. At TaxEd, we understand you’re busy and it can be tough to stay on top of all the […]

Christmas employee functions will have varying degrees of lavishness. We look at some scenarios and assess their ‘Grinch’ risk. With the end of the calendar year fast approaching, many of you may be preparing an end of year celebration for staff. As with most things involving an employer and staff, fringe benefits tax (FBT) must […]

Is GST payable on funding provided by Council’s related DGR to meet the cost of a Christmas function hosted by a not-for-profit entity? Question Council has a related endorsed deductible gift recipient (DGR) fund. Through the DGR, Council provides funding to various not-for-profit entities (NFPs) to host Christmas luncheons for individuals experiencing financial hardship. The […]

T’is the season for gifts – but are you also making a gift of GST or FBT to the Revenue? Based on the decorations in the streets and the shopping centres, the Christmas season has well and truly arrived and many are caught-up in the gift-giving spirit. The making of a gift by a business/entity […]

Question We run a number of one or two day structured training courses for new recruits and existing staff wishing to update their working knowledge. At the end of the day’s training, the group will go out for a meal at a restaurant as part of team building. Is this classed as entertainment or is […]

There is a change to the way in which super guarantee contributions are calculated. Employers should review their calculation practices to ensure conformity with the law. Recent changes made to the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (SGA) by the Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Tax Integrity and Other Measures No 1) Act 2019 (the amending Act) […]

In relation to employee relocation costs, what are the more common available heads of salary sacrifice? Question We have made an offer to an individual to take up a senior management role with us. The individual and his family live interstate and will relocate if he accepts the offer. They have enquired as to whether […]

Heads up – the ATO has issued some revised material on car parking fringe benefits. Two recent ATO documents cause us to take another look at the issue of car parking fringe benefits. In fairness, most of the ATO efforts have gone into updating its public commentary about when a car parking fringe benefit arises […]