We at Preda partner with you to achieve your Business and Life Goals. One way we do that is through careful tax planning! If you haven’t met with us yet, now is the time to contact us to arrange a tax planning meeting, so we can help you limit your tax payments, and grow your wealth.
In prior years, there were many changes to superannuation and small business taxation. This year’s Budget only had a few changes in these areas.
Here’s a brief summary of what the Preda team believes are the key changes that may affect many of our clients.
Taxation
Small business depreciation
The Government will extend by 12 months (to 30 June 2018) the ability for businesses with aggregated annual turnover less than $10 million to immediately deduct purchases of eligible assets costing less than $20,000, first used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2018. Assets valued at $20,000 or more (which cannot be immediately deducted) can continue to be placed into the small business simplified depreciation pool (the pool) and depreciated at 15% in the first income year and 30% each income year thereafter. The pool can also be immediately deducted if the balance is less than $20,000 over this period (including existing pools). From 1 July 2018, the immediate deductibility threshold will reduce back to $1,000.
Lower threshold for HELP debt repayments
From 1 July 2018, a new minimum threshold of $42,000 will be established with a 1% repayment rate and a maximum threshold of $119,882 with a 10% repayment rate.
Disallow certain deductions for residential rental property
From 1 July 2017, the Government will disallow deductions for travel expenses related to inspecting maintaining or collecting rent for residential rental property. Also, plant and equipment depreciation deductions will be limited to outlays actually incurred by the investors in residential real estate properties. These changes will apply on the prospective basis, with existing investments grandfathered. Plant and equipment forming part of residential investment properties as of 9 May 2017 (including contracts already entered into at 7:30PM (AEST) on 9 May 2017) will continue to give rise to deductions for depreciation until either investor no longer owns the asset, or the asset reaches the end of its effective life. Subsequent owners will no longer be able to claim deductions for plant and equipment purchased by its previous owner.
Taxable payments reporting
From 1 July 2018, the courier and cleaning industries will join the building and construction industry in needing to complete taxable payments reporting each year. More red tape!
Cash economy crack-down
The ATO now have an additional $32 million to target the cash economy. Expect more ATO audits with the data matching capabilities. Cafés, restaurants and other businesses that accept cash should ensure their point of sale systems have proper audit trails that match their cash deposits.
GST on new residential property and sub-divisions
In an approach designed to crack down on some property developers failing to make GST payments to the ATO, property developers will no longer manage the GST on sales of newly constructed residential properties or new subdivisions. Instead, the Government will require purchasers to remit the GST directly to the ATO as part of the settlement process.
Foreign Workers
There has been lots of news recently about the removal of the 457 visa program. Businesses that employ foreign workers on certain skilled visas will pay a levy that will be channelled into the Skilling Australians Fund. From 1 March 2018, Businesses with turnover of less than $10 million per year will make an upfront payment of $1,200 per visa per year for each employee on a Temporary Skill Shortage visa and make a one-off payment of $3,000 for each employee being sponsored for a permanent Employer Nomination Scheme.
To make sure you are receiving the maximum tax savings available to you, act today and contact us to book a tax planning session.