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The whistleblower protection regime was introduced in 2019, and required large proprietary companies, public companies as well as corporate trustees of registrable super entities to have specific policies that outline the legislated protections for whistleblowers under the Corporations Act and how misconduct can be reported.
To help those nearing retirement boost their super balances, those aged 65 and over are able to make downsizer contribution of up to $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale of their home. This measure was originally envisaged as a way to encourage older people get into more suitable homes as well as increase the level of housing stock in a bid to reduce soaring house prices.
Low-income employees should rejoice that the minimum threshold at which an employer has to pay super under the super guarantee scheme will no longer apply from 1 July 2022. Under the current scheme all employers must pay a minimum level of super contributions on behalf of their employees, but only if each individual employee makes more than $450 per month. This is the minimum threshold
The work test will be scrapped for non-concessional and salary sacrificed contributions made by individuals aged between 67 and 75 from 1 July 2022. Currently, those individuals need to either pass the work test or satisfy the work test exemption criteria for each financial year that they make contributions in order for their super funds to accept these contributions. This change was designed to provide older Australians with more flexibility to contribute to their super and add to their retirement.
The ATO could soon have the power to issue a direction to complete an approved-record keeping course in instances where it believes an entity has failed to comply with tax-related record-keeping obligations in lieu of financial penalties. Legislation has been introduced into Parliament, but not yet passed.
With most of Australia and the world still in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses, both public and private, are offering rewards and incentives for their employees to get vaccinated and/or get the booster dose. Depending on the type of reward or incentive offered, and whether it is exclusive to employees or the general public, there may be tax consequences for the business.
If you’re a retiree and the current rise in cost of living and inflationary pressures are starting to bite, don’t turn to high interest loans, if you meet certain eligibility criteria, you may be able to access the Home Equity Access Scheme (previously known as the Pension Loans Scheme) run through Services Australia.
Insurance within super is usually the most cost effective way for an individual to cover themselves in the event of a mishap. Most super funds typically offer three types of insurance for their members consisting of life cover, total and permanent disability (TPD) and income protection insurance (or salary continuance cover).
As a part of an economic package to help businesses recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government provided cheap credit to qualifying small and medium enterprises in the form of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme. When it was first introduced, and until 31 December 2021, the government essentially guaranteed 80% of the loan amount.
Most of Australia has been experiencing a building boom fuelled by government policy such as the HomeBuilder scheme and a general desire to make our living spaces better as we spend more time working, educating and living at home. However, with global supply chains and transport routes disrupted due to the effects of COVID-19, there have been well-publicized material shortages and builder collapses in the sector.
With the recent collapse of a second Australian cryptocurrency exchange in as many months, along with persistent reports of a range of sophisticated cryptocurrency scams targeting Australians, many cryptocurrency owners are asking if you lose money in a scam can you deduct the loss? The short answer is it depends.
The ATO has recently issued an alert warning taxpayers against disguising undeclared foreign income as gifts or loans from related overseas entities, including family and friends. It says it has continued to encounter instances where Australian resident taxpayers derive income or capital gains offshore which are assessable but fail to declare it in their income tax returns.