John Morgan is a tax specialist lawyer of more than three decades experience now practicing at the Victorian Bar - w: www.FJMtax.com e: f.john.morgan@vicbar.com.au

COVID-19 – Employer cash boost benefit (now legislated) – understanding the complexity in this important benefit

On Friday 27 March 2020, in the Tax Institute’s weekly tax bulletin: TaxVine (No. 11), their Senior Tax Counsel’s Report, Bob Deutsch wrote and article entitled: CORONAVIRUS: Understanding the Employer’s benefit measures and doing the right thing! referring to the ‘cash boost’ for employers recently announced Tranche 1 COVID-19 stimulus/rescue package announced on 12 March 2020…

The ‘JobKeeper’ wage subsidy measure – commentary from the Tax Institute’s Senior Tax Counsel’s Report, Bob Deutsch

On 3 April 2020, the Tax Institute’s weekly tax bulletin: TaxVine (No. 12), their Senior Tax Counsel’s Report, Bob Deutsch wrote and article entitled: EVEN MORE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE: The Good the Bad and the Ugly referring to the recently announced ‘JobKeeper’ $130b Tranche 3 COVID-19 stimulus/rescue package (see related TT article). See below for further…

Government’s Tranche 3 ‘JobKeeper’ wage subsidy – $130bn for payment of $1,500 per fortnight to COVID-19 affected employers, to fund remuneration to eligible employees

On 30 March 2020 the Federal Government continued its tsunami of economic stimulus with the release of a $130b ‘JobKeeper Payment’ initiative. It is aimed at helping employers to retain their workforce, while navigating their way through the commercial disruption of COVID-19. Commencing 30 March 2020, the government will underwrite/reimburse businesses $1,500 each fortnight per…

Coronavirus economic response – 8 Bills passed by Parliament, with 11 Government Amendments and 1 Senate Amendment and now Royal Assent

Parliament passed the Government’s Coronavirus Economic Response Package of Bills on the night they were introduced (23.3.20) – see related TT article – with 11 Government amendments and 1 Senate amendment. They now await Royal Assent. The package of Bills implement aspects of the Government’s economic stimulus package announced between 12 March and 22 March 2020 (see related TT…

Government’s Coronavirus economic response – 8 Bills introduced on Monday 23 March 2020

Legislation to implement the Government’s Coronavirus Economic Response Package was introduced in the House of Representatives on Mon 23.3.2020.This package of Bills seek to urgently implement aspects of the Government’s economic stimulus package originally announced on 12 March 2020, and followed up on 22 March 2020 with a second package containing $66.1bn of measures (see related TT article). Also,…

Debt collection relief in the Government’s 2nd tranche Coronavirus support package – useful but not all the ATO’s collection powers are curtailed (see PP comment)

The Government’s 22 March 2020 Coronavirus 2nd tranche support package (see related TT article) included a number of material measures relevant to the insolvency industry. Pitcher Partners’ insolvency practice put out ‘Critical Point Network’ Bulletin, entitled Proposed immediate insolvency measures announced by the Government, which offers some more detail and provide comment. They go through the general…

COVID-19: Government’s 2nd tranche $66b stimulus package – tax free payments of 50% of PAYGw on wages; $550 per fortnight job seeker supplement; SME loan relief; debt distress protection; up to $10k this year and $10k next year (this tranche might actually help…)

On Sunday 22 March 2020, the Government announced an additional $66.1bn economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). This second package includes a $550 per fortnight supplement for job seekers (doubling the current payment), a further $750 stimulus payment for pensioners, cash flow payments up to $100,000 (minimum $20,000) to SME employers and…

SMSF Regulator’s Bulletin SMSFRB 2020/1 – SMSFs undertaking property developments: ATO flags concerns and lists a welter of tax and regulatory implications

On 13 March 2020, the Commissioner issued a SMSF Regulator’s Bulletin SMSFRB 2020/1, setting out the ATO’s concerns about self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) entering into certain arrangements, with related or unrelated parties, involving the purchase and development of real property for subsequent disposal or leasing. See below for further detail. [Tax Month – March 2020]…