Business bulletins
Business bulletins provide the latest legislative, corporate and administrative tax news and information for medium to large businesses and their advisors.
We aim to keep you up to date by publishing news articles as issues arise.
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Business bulletin articles
Expanding your business overseas?
16 April 2018Find out about your tax obligations when expanding your business overseas.
Engage with us early to get the right advice
12 April 2018You or your tax adviser can access our early engagement service to gain clarity on any of your complex transactions and address any issues as early as possible.
GST property settlement changes
12 April 2018From 1 July 2018, new laws apply to how the GST is paid on some property transactions. Purchasers of new residential premises or subdivision of potential residential land will pay the GST amount directly to us on or before settlement.
Wholesale industry – seeking participation in review of assets
9 April 2018Find out how you can participate in the effective life review of assets used in the wholesale industry.
Expansion of reportable tax position schedule
6 April 2018The reportable tax position schedule (RTPS) is being expanded for the 2018 income year to include companies in economic groups with a turnover greater than $250 million. We have notified impacted companies that will be required to lodge an RTPS.
Indirect tax private rulings and end dates
6 April 2018End dates, also known as sunset dates, can apply to some indirect tax private rulings. The sunset date specifies when you can no longer rely on a private ruling.
Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive now open
29 March 2018The Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive will encourage investment in certain small minerals exploration companies by those companies issuing exploration credits to eligible investors.
Seeking your input on cryptocurrency
26 March 2018Your feedback may be taken into account when developing further advice and guidance products in relation to the taxation of cryptocurrency.
Certain unit trusts treated as corporate entities
22 March 2018Law changes in 2016 resulted in some public trading trusts and corporate unit trusts ceasing to be treated as corporate tax entities.
GST changes for Australian retailers who use 'drop shipping'
16 March 2018From July, new GST rules on imports will level the playing field for Australian businesses. If you are a retailer who uses drop shipping to fulfil orders, these changes may also affect you.
Final countdown to Single Touch Payroll
13 March 2018From 1 July 2018, larger employers need to start reporting through a Single Touch Payroll-enabled software solution.
Structured arrangements Taxpayer Alert issued
12 March 2018
We have released the new structured arrangements Taxpayer Alert.
Law Companion Rulings - new name, same reliable advice
8 March 2018We have changed the name of our Law Companion Guidelines (LCGs) to Law Companion Rulings (LCRs).
Our new podcast channel - Tax inVoice
6 March 2018We discuss APRA funds with an industry expert in our new podcast.
ATO statement on corporate tax
6 March 2018
We have released a statement on corporate tax.
Need to lodge a fringe benefits tax return?
28 February 2018Our fringe benefits tax (FBT) webinar can help you understand what you need to do and when.
Country-by-country reporting guidance now available
13 February 2018Further Country-by-country reporting guidance available
Super guarantee integrity measures draft legislation available for comment
13 February 2018The government is seeking feedback on its draft legislation for the super guarantee by 16 February.
Edited versions now available in the ATO Legal database
12 February 2018To make it easier to search for Edited versions (EVs) we have made them available on the ATO Legal database.
Annual vacancy fee for foreign investors
12 February 2018An annual vacancy fee now applies for foreign owners of residential dwellings where the dwelling is not occupied or genuinely available on the rental market for at least six months per year.
Lodging your general purpose financial statement
9 February 2018General purpose financial statements (GPFS) for January lodgers are due 4 April. Lodge your GPFS statement through the Business Portal following these easy steps.
Open for consultation – draft Practical Compliance Guideline and Law Companion Guideline for the Diverted profits tax
9 February 2018A draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2018/D2 Diverted profits tax has been released for feedback.
Short form local file: instructions available
6 February 2018Instructions on how to complete the short form local file are now available.
Fuel tax credit rates change
2 February 2018Use our fuel tax credit calculator to easily calculate your claim with the right rates. Fuel tax credit rates increased on 5 February 2018.
Release of GST administration annual performance report 2016–17
31 January 2018The GST administration annual performance report for 2016–17 has now been released. The report highlights the positive results of our dispute resolution strategies at the audit stage.
Can you claim GST credits?
30 January 2018Check that your suppliers are registered for GST before you make a GST credit claim.
CbC lodgment reminder for December balancers
29 January 2018Country-by-Country reporting statements are due for electronic lodgment on or before 15 February 2018.
Change to our risk categorisation for the top 100
12 January 2018We are now using three risk categorisations for the top 100 public and multinational businesses and superfunds.
Miscellaneous tax rulings MT 2012/1 and MT 2012/2 amended
9 January 2018Miscellaneous tax rulings MT 2012/1 and MT 2012/2 have been amended to ensure the income tax aspects do not apply when entering into immediate or deferred transfer farm-out arrangements after 14 May 2013.
Private use of exempt motor vehicles for FBT
8 January 2018You can give feedback on our new draft guideline on the private use of eligible motor vehicles by employees.
Country-by-country (CbC) reporting: Local file – lodgement reminder for June balancers
2 January 2018Under the administrative solution for the local file, a reporting entity may choose to voluntarily lodge Part A of their local file at the same time as their tax
return.
Open for consultation – draft law companion guideline on diverted profits tax
2 January 2018We are seeking feedback on our Diverted profits tax Law Companion Guideline.
Encouraging International Tax Transparency
22 December 2017We work with the OECD, JITSIC and overseas jurisdictions to improve global tax transparency.
Final PCG 2017/4 on cross-border related financing
18 December 2017Final Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2017/4 on our compliance approach to cross-border related financing arrangements has been released.
Final Taxation Determinations TD 2017/23 and TD 2017/24
14 December 2017Final TD 2017/23 and TD 2017/24 relate to the tax treatment of capital gains made by a foreign trust from assets that are not taxable Australian property.
Country-by-Country reporting: Extension of time to lodge for December balancers
27 November 2017December and January balancers will have until 15 February 2018 to lodge their Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting statements.
Paradise Papers and the ATO
13 November 2017ATO information on the Paradise Papers and ICIJ leak – our investigation is ongoing.
Missed and late super guarantee payments
13 November 2017The super guarantee (SG) September quarterly payment was due 28 October. If an employer missed the deadline there are steps they will need to take.
How e-Audits are changing the way we engage with clients
13 November 2017Find out how e-Audits deliver efficiencies and reduce disruption to your regular business activities.
Reminder – Water register stocktake period closes 30 November
13 November 2017If you are a foreign person with investment in Australian water you may need to register your interests by 30 November.
Petroleum resource rent tax: update to PCG 2016/13
13 November 2017Update to PCG 2016/13 Petroleum Resource Rent Tax – deductibility of general project expenditure and publishing of PSLA 2017/1 to determine the four-year amendment period.
Register for our Fringe Benefits Tax Webinar: Eat, drink and be merry!
13 November 2017Register for our fringe benefits tax webinar Eat, drink and be merry If you’re an employer who provides food and drink to your employees and clients, join us for a free webinar on fringe benefits tax (FBT).
Release of our 2016–17 Annual report
10 November 2017The ATO's annual report has been released. Find out what we delivered in 2016–17.
Helping you stay on top of your tax
8 November 2017How businesses can work with us to pay their tax on time using a wide range of tools, prepay and self-serve payment options
Applying the margin scheme to a property sale
3 November 2017You may be able to pay less GST on the sale of a property by applying the margin scheme.
Action collects $1.5 billion from large multinationals
26 October 2017Action collects $1.5 billion from large multinationals.
Confidence that large corporate groups are paying the right amount of tax
11 October 2017Our new publication Tax and Corporate Australia, which talks about the tax compliance of large corporate groups, is now available on our website.
Provision of general purpose financial statements web guidance and information now available
9 October 2017Information on provision of general purpose financial statements for significant global entities is now available.
GST on imported services for Australian businesses
19 September 2017GST now applies to foreign businesses supplying services and digital products to Australian consumers. However, GST does not apply to GST registered Australian businesses making these purchases for business use. Find out more.
Open for consultation – Propagation arrangements adopted by registrable superannuation entities
14 September 2017We're seeking your feedback on our draft practical compliance guidelines on propagation arrangements adopted by registered super entities.
Did you know about the Public Advice and Guidance Community?
13 September 2017Let's talk about public advice and guidance on our dedicated community discussion board.
Estimate of Superannuation Guarantee gap for 2014–15 released
11 September 2017The ATO has recently released its estimate of the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) gap.
Corporate tax transparency data will be published again later this year
01 September 2017The ATO will be extracting data for the annual corporate tax transparency report which includes certain tax information of Australian and foreign corporate tax entities.
Do you export goods or services?
22 August 2017Exports are generally GST-free. However, it's important that you are correctly classifying exports and completing your BAS correctly.
Reminder: Exploration Development Incentive closes 30 September
22 August 2017You have until 30 September to notify us if you intend to participate in the Exploration Development Incentive by completing the EDI Participation form.
FX reporting guidance now in local file instructions
9 August 2017Guidance on the reporting of foreign exchange gains and losses is now available in Part A of the local file instructions.
Fuel tax credits: get the latest rates
1 August 2017Fuel tax credit rates have changed. Use our calculator to get the right rates and save time.
Exploration Development Incentive closing soon
1 August 2017Your clients that intend on participating in the Exploration Development Incentive have until 30 September to notify us.
GST on low value imported goods delayed until 1 July 2018
19 July 2017Proposed changes to GST on imported goods up to $1,000 from 1 July 2018.
Penalty increases for significant global entities: frequently asked questions
19 July 2017We have prepared a page of frequently asked questions about increased penalties for significant global entities (SGEs).
GST and residential care
19 July 2017Detailed information on GST and residential care to help service providers understand and meet their GST obligations.
Changes to capital gains withholding rules for foreign and Australian residents
18 July 2017Changes to the threshold and withholding rate for Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding (FRCGW).
Country-by-Country reporting: local file instructions now available
18 July 2017Instructions for completing Parts A and B of the local file for Country-by-Country reporting have now been published.
Country-by-Country (CbC) lodgments now accepted
18 July 2017Significant Global Entities can now commence electronically lodging Country-by-Country statements with the ATO.
Closing multinational tax loopholes
18 July 2017Find out what we are doing to tackle multinational tax avoidance.
Register of Foreign Ownership of Water
17 July 2017The Register of Foreign Ownership of Water was introduced on 1 July, 2017 to increase the transparency around foreign investment in Australia.
Applying GST to imported services and digital products
17 July 2017If you sell imported services or digital products to Australian consumers and you meet the GST registration turnover threshold, you need to register for Australian GST. If you're registered, you must remit GST.
Commonwealth penalty units increase
12 July 2017
The value of the Commonwealth penalty unit will increase from $180 to $210, effective from 1 July 2017 and will automatically increase from 1 July 2020.
Sending us correspondence? Add more client identifiers
30 June 2017Including additional unique client identifiers in correspondence sent to us will assist with processing requests more efficiently.
Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law (MAAL)
29 June 2017The MAAL is making a difference.
Interim guidance on preparation of 2016 and 2017 unit trust distribution statements
23 June 2017We've updated our interim guidance on the application of subsection 104-71(4) table item 7 in determining the tax deferred and capital gains tax concession components of unit trust distributions.
Updates to PCG about fleet car fringe benefits
22 June 2017Updates to simplified approach for calculating fleet car fringe benefits have been made.
Practical compliance guidelines to facilitate compliance with Australian tax laws
19 June 2017Two Practical Compliance Guidelines relating to ADIs have been added to the legal database to facilitate compliance with relevant tax laws.
Register of Foreign Ownership of Water webinars in June
19 June 2017Learn more about the Register of Foreign Ownership of Water at a free ATO webinar covering the water entitlements and contractual water rights that need to be registered. The sessions will also cover who needs to register and when registration must be completed.
GST on imported services and digital products begins 1 July 2017
15 June 2017Find out what the law change means for you.
Top 1,000 Tax Performance Program
15 June 2017Obtaining greater assurance across the Top 1,000 multinational and public companies.
Local File – lodgment concession
15 June 2017A lodgment concession is available for December 2016 balancers who choose to take up the local file administrative solution.
Guidance on the diverted profits tax coming soon
14 June 2017Guidance materials including a Law Companion Guide (LCG) and a Law Administration Practice Statement (PSLA) will soon be available to assist your understanding of the new diverted profits tax measure which comes into effect on 1 July 2017.
Join our webinar on GST and property transactions
13 June 2017We are holding a free webinar on Monday 26 June focusing on GST and property transactions – joint venture and partnership.
Update to Reportable Tax Position schedule
13 June 2017The reportable tax position schedule is a schedule to the company tax return that requires disclosure of certain contestable and material tax positions.
Release of 2017 International dealings schedule and instructions
13 June 2017The 2017 International dealings schedule (IDS) and their instructions have been released.
Improving our private advice
13 June 2017We are making changes to improve our advice and guidance services, including a new streamlined private ruling application form.
Reminder - Increased penalties apply to SGEs from 1 July
9 June 2017All Significant Global Entities (SGEs), including Australian SGEs, should ensure they are prepared for their increased reporting obligations. Penalties for SGEs will be significantly increased to encourage reasonable care when making statements, taking positions which are reasonably arguable and timely lodgment of tax forms.
New Petroleum and Resource Rent Tax content available
6 June 2017We've published a PRRT updates page on our website to provide clarification around PRRT returns.
Common Reporting Standard
5 June 2017The Common Reporting Standard (CRS) is the standard for the collection, reporting and exchange of financial account information, developed by the OECD.
Businesses invited to attend Black Economy Industry Roundtable sessions
29 May 2017The Chair of the Black Economy Taskforce is holding meetings around Australia throughout May and June to discuss the black economy. Register to attend and find out more.
Changes to foreign resident capital gains withholding payments (FRCGW)
29 May 2017Change to the threshold and withholding rate for FRCGW.
Latest news on tax law and policy
18 May 2017Proposed changes from the governments recently handed down the 2017–18 Budget on 9 May 2017 are now available on our new legislation page.
Public rulings refreshed to provide a more contemporary approach
17 May 2017The ATO is refreshing our public rulings to ensure they are up to date and reflect modern business practices.
Amendments to Innovation measures
17 May 2017Investments through trusts are being made eligible for capital gains concessions.
Open for consultation: Cross-border related party financing arrangements
16 May 2017We're seeking your feedback on our draft practical compliance guidelines on cross border related party financing arrangements.
Simplified GST registration system for overseas businesses
16 May 2017GST on international sales of services and digital products is coming. Find out how to prepare.
Strengthening Transfer Pricing Rules
12 May 2017Australia's transfer pricing rules have been amended to refer to the latest OECD guidelines.
Stamping out illegal tobacco
20 April 2017We are continuing to remove illegal tobacco from Australia.
Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting: local file – master file detailed design now available
12 April 2017Additional guidance is now available to help you understand the detailed information requirements of the local file and master file for Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting.
Diverted profits tax begins 1 July 2017
11 April 2017The diverted profits tax aims to ensure the tax paid by significant global entities properly reflects the economic substance of their activities in Australia and prevent the diversion of profits offshore through contrived arrangements.
FBT return instructions and forms for 2017
11 April 2017From 2017 onwards, FBT return instructions will only be available online.
Significant global entity page now available
11 April 2017A page dedicated to SGEs has been published and is now live. SGEs can access this page to find information that may be relevant to them.
Tax assistance following natural disasters
10 April 2017The ATO has implemented a range of support measures to assist businesses affected by Tropical Cyclone Debbie and subsequent flooding.
Further consultation - tax incentives for early stage investors
10 April 2017We're seeking your feedback on additional material relating to tax incentives for early stage investors.
GST on low value imported goods
16 March 2017Changes to GST to include imported goods valued at A$1,000 or less are planned to take effect from 1 July 2017. Learn about how this may impact you and provide feedback on the proposed changes.
Significant Global Entities – Increased Penalties
15 March 2017From July 1 there will be increased penalties on companies with global revenue of $1 billion or more who fail to adhere to tax lodgment obligations.
Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting: additional guidance now available
14 March 2017Additional guidance is now available to help you understand your CbC reporting obligations in Part B of the local file.
Join our webinar to learn how to lodge your FBT return
13 March 2017Find out how to lodge Fringe benefits tax returns at our webinar on 28 March 2017.
GST property tool
13 March 2017The GST property tool can help you work out the GST implications for property transactions you make.
Contemporary approaches to public advice and guidance
13 March 2017We are revolutionising how we produce, communicate and deliver our public advice and guidance.
Consultation – tax incentives for early stage investors
13 March 2017We are seeking your feedback on documents relating to tax incentives for early stage (angel) investors, from 13 March to 10 April 2017.
Exploration expenditure deductions – ruling and practical compliance guideline
2 March 2017Exploration expenditure deductions – ruling and practical compliance guideline are available to assist taxpayers determine the deductibility of expenditure on mining and petroleum exploration and prospecting.
Simplified transfer pricing record keeping options practical compliance guideline
28 February 2017Simplified transfer pricing record keeping options practical compliance guideline is available to assist eligible taxpayers minimise the record-keeping process.
Tax risk management and governance review guide
24 February 2017In January 2017 we published an update to the Tax risk management and governance review guide.
Taxpayer Alert – Re-characterisation of income from trading businesses
13 February 2017The Re-characterisation of income from trading businesses taxpayer alert has been released.
Attention Firefox AUSkey users
10 February 2017The upcoming version of Mozilla Firefox (version 52) does not support AUSkey. To continue using AUSkey, users will need to download the Firefox browser extension or use an alternative browser.
Multinationals: get in contact by 31 March 2017
10 February 2017Multinational Anti-avoidance Law may apply to ‘significant global entities’.
Fuel tax credit changes: do you have the right rate?
10 February 2017Keep up to date on fuel tax credit rates as they change regularly.
Our fight against tax crime
10 February 2017Latest serious tax crime investigation results have been released.
More illegal tobacco gets the chop
1 February 2017Illegal tobacco with a potential excise value of $1.5 million has been seized by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) following a warrant executed as part of an ongoing investigation in Victoria.
Business bulletins give you the latest legislative, corporate and administrative tax news and information of special interest for medium to large businesses and their advisors.