FBT minutes, May 2009

14. Risk/compliance update (Tax Office)

The following update was provided by the Tax Office

• Data matching activities

Data matching for motor vehicles has been expanded and data from the various State registration authorities has been refreshed with data for vehicles with a value of $10,000 or greater. This will capture information in respect of dual cabs and the like. The protocol has been gazetted and has attracted some media attention. Data matching will commence shortly and mismatch cases will be actioned over the next 12 months.

The data collection is part of an ongoing process.

• Salary sacrifice research

Research to gain an understanding of the type and extent of salary packaging in different markets and associated administrative and commercial practices has included engagement with industry associations.

Currently the information collection phase has finished and the analysis phase is commencing.

The initial findings are:

• A tendency to appoint an external salary packaging provider to administer packages particularly in the not for profit sector
• Employees understanding of salary packaging appears to be increasing with a gradual increase in the take-up rate of salary packaging and types of benefits accessed
• Greatest growth is in respect of concessional and exempt benefits.

Sections within Agenda items

• 1. Opening of meeting including any changes to the agenda
• 2. Confirmation of minutes of the 26 February 2009 meeting
• 3. Items carried over from previous meetings
• 4. TRs/TDs, class rulings, LAPS and ATO IDs issued since the February meeting
• 5. News from the Tax Office
• 6. Excluded fringe benefits pooled/shared cars (CPA Aust)
• 7. Entertainment facility leasing expenses (TIA)
• 8. Employees live away from home part of each week (TIA)
• 9. Meals while travelling during daytime (TIA)
• 10. Work related items and protective clothing (TIA)
• 11. FBT and car parking (CTA)
• 12. Clarity - minor benefit exemption (CTA)
• 13. Lodgment (CTA)
• 14. Risk/compliance update (Tax Office)
• 15. Other business - late agenda items
• 16. Close of meeting