Global tech giants Google, Apple and Microsoft are “under review” by the ATO, senior executives said, on Wed 8.4.2015, when appearing before the Sydney hearing of the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into corporate tax avoidance. The executives said the review means the Tax Office has not renewed agreements with the companies on transfer pricing.…
A taxpayer has, in the main, been successful before the SA Supreme Court in a matter concerning the primary production land tax exemption. The taxpayer owned 5 hectares of land. It created a residential subdivision on 3.5 hectares of the land and by 30 June 2005 had sold all but 2 residential allotments. It developed an olive…
The Commissioner of State Revenue (Qld) has been successful before the Qld District Court in seeking summary judgment against a group of 3 taxpayers to recover unpaid payroll tax, penalty tax and unpaid tax interest. The taxpayers raised a number of arguments in disputing the proceedings and the Commissioner’s application. Among other things, the taxpayers…
In a decision handed down on Tuesday 28.4.2015, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal dealt with a preliminary matter concerning whether the principal place of residence (PPR) concessions under clauses 6 (unoccupied land concession) and 7 (change to PPR concession) of Sch 1A of the Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW) could apply to exempt more…
In a decision handed down, on Tue 21.4.2015, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal affirmed a decision of the Commissioner of State Revenue (NSW) refusing the taxpayers’ claim for the principal place of residence (PPR) exemption in respect of a property for the 2012 and 2013 land tax years. The taxpayers (a couple) argued the…
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has affirmed a decision of the Commissioner of State Revenue (Vic) to assess duty on 2 transfers of land based on an aggregated dutiable value pursuant to s24 of the Duties Act 2000 (Vic). The taxpayers (mother and son) purchased on the same day a property referred to as…
The NT Budget 2015-16 was handed down on Tuesday 28.4.2015. Key revenue measures included: Payroll tax exemption for charities to be tightened – To ensure the exemption for charitable entities is being provided for its intended purpose, the Payroll Tax Act will be amended from 1 July 2015 in 2 key respects: (1) the exemption will be…
The AAT has granted a stay in the Tax Practitioners Board decision to cancel the registration of a company, ATP Group Pty Ltd, as a tax agent. The Tribunal said a decision to cancel the registration of a tax agent will ordinarily be stayed by the AAT unless the public interest requires otherwise. The Tribunal…
The Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), on Fri 17.4.2015, released a finalised Information Sheet, TPB(I) 25/2015, on Applying for registration during the transitional period: Sufficient experience to be able to provide tax (financial) advice services to a competent standard. Between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2017 (transitional period), entities seeking registration as a tax (financial) adviser under the “transitional…
From 1 May 2015, the Inspector-General of Taxation (IGT) will be able to consider and assist taxpayers with their complaints about the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). The transfer of this function from the Commonwealth Ombudsman to the IGT was announced in last year’s Federal Budget and the relevant legislation was…