Re Parrish and FCT – GST unpaid, taxable income understated and 75% penalties imposed for intentional disregard of the law [17]

The AAT has largely dismissed a taxpayer’s appeal finding that he had not reported and paid GST on taxable supplies, and had understated his taxable income in certain years, although it did find that some transactions should not form part of the taxpayer’s assessable income and GST liability. The taxpayer operated as a sole trader…

*FCT v Regent Pacific Group Limited & Ors – Freezing order granted over $12.7m capital gain made by foreign company and substituted service ordered [16]

The Federal Court has granted the Commissioner’s application for freezing orders against a taxpayer-company registered in the Cayman Islands that made a capital gain of over $12.7m from the sale of shares it held in a company engaged in mining operations in Western Australia. At the same time, the Court granted the Commissioner’s application for…

Investment Manager Regime: Government announces amendments that allow tracing through ‘feeder funds’ to establish minimum number of members [2]

The Government has announced details of amendments to the Investment Manager Regime (IMR) designed to improve its operation. The Government has also confirmed its intention to introduce the final element of the IMR into Parliament in the first half of 2013. Upon the introduction of the IMR in June 2012, the Government committed to consult with the…

TOFA stages 3 & 4 – drafts of further refinements to be retrospectively enacted to (most commonly) years commencing on or after 1 July 2010 [3]

The Government on Thur 10.1.2013, released for comment exposure draft legislation proposing to amend the TOFA tax rules, contained in Div 230 of the ITAA 1997. The Government said the changes, to clarify and refine the operation of certain aspects of the TOFA regime, are the outcome of ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the TOFA…

Public hearing into Tax Bill (No 6) 2012 re: native title exemption; disallowing capital allowance deductions through limited recourse debt not paid; and abolishing FBT in-house concessions through salary sacrificing [4]

The House of Reps Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing on Wed 30.1.2013, at Parliament House in Canberra, into various provisions in the Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No 6) Bill 2012. The hearing will cover 3 schedules in the Bill. Schedule 1 – proposes that native title benefits will not be…

Miscellaneous amendments to the tax laws – draft legislation released [1]

On 21 December 2012, the Government released for comment draft legislation concerning proposed miscellaneous amendments to the taxation laws. The amendments seek to ensure the law operates as intended by correcting technical or drafting defects, removing anomalies and addressing unintended outcomes. They include: an amendment to the ITAA 1997 to bring Australian residents within the definition of…

*NFP tax concession changes delayed until 1 July 2014 – for post 10 May 2011 arrangements (1 July 2015 for pre 10.5.11 arrangements) [7]

The Government Thur 31.1.2013, announced that the 2011-12 Budget measure “Better Targeting of NFP Tax Concessions” will now commence from 1 July 2014. The Assistant Treasurer said the extension would enable “further consultation and engagement with the NFP sector on this measure and ensure there is an opportunity for detailed stakeholder input to be provided”. The start…