SA Land Tax – Government does an Upper House cross-bench deal to further reduce land tax – including max rate down from 3.7% to 2.4% and threshold increased to $2m

On 25.11.19, the Marshall Liberal Government announced it had reached an agreement with the Hon John Darley MLC (the SA Upper House) to further enhance its land tax reform package in exchange for his support for the passage of the amended bill this week. See below for the announcement and a link to the Bill. [Tax…

Commissioner appeals Addy decision – backpackers from Chile, Finland, Germany, Japan, Norway, Turkey and the United Kingdom urged to wait and employers likewise

On 26.11.19, the Commissioner of Taxation advised that he would appeal the Federal Court’s decision, that held the ‘backpacker’ tax did not apply to a UK national on a working holiday visa – because it offended the ‘anti-discrimination’ provisions in the UK – Australia Double Tax Agreement. See related Tax Technical article. See below for…

The new Inspector General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman: Karen Payne addressed the Melbourne LCA Tax Committee on the nature, role and priorities of the IGTO, particularly under her new tenure

On Friday 22.11.19, the new Inspector General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO): Karen Payne addressed the Melbourne Tax Committee of the Law Council of Australia at one of their monthly meetings, and gave a presentation about the nature, role and priorities of the IGTO, particularly under her new tenure. This included a slides from…

Private Groups Stewardship Group – provides committee members with ATO’s ‘notification of clients’ and ‘typical questions’ to engage with ‘High Wealth Private Groups’

On 25.11.19, the ATO gave Private Groups Stewardship Group (PGSG) members examples of the form by which tax agents would be notified of their ‘High Wealth Private Group’ clients, with whom they wished to ‘engage’ and a list of the typical questions they might be asked. See below for the email and those documents. [Tax…