New deductions and employer obligations

Employers need to check that payroll systems reflect recent legislative changes, and the ATO is highlighting deduction opportunities available to some small businesses. Here’s your roundup of the latest tax news.

Updated employer obligations

The ATO is reminding employers to stay on top of legislative changes affecting payroll systems.

The Super Guarantee rate increased on 1 July 2024 to 11.5 per cent of ordinary times earnings, so all payments (starting with those for the July to September quarter) to super accounts for eligible workers must reflect the new rate.i

Individual income tax rate thresholds and tax tables changed also changed on 1 July 2024 so you may need to check calculations for your Pay As You Go Withholding obligations.

Claims for energy expenses

If your business has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $50 million, you may be eligible for a bonus 20 per cent tax deduction for new assets (or improvements to existing assets), that support more efficient energy usage.

The Small Business Energy Incentive applies to eligible assets first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Improvement costs must have been incurred during this period. Up to $100,000 of total expenditure is eligible, with the maximum bonus deduction capped at $20,000 per business.ⁱⁱ

Eligible expenditure for external training courses for your employees incurred between 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2024 could also qualify for a 20 per cent bonus tax deduction from the Small Business Skills and Training Boost.ⁱⁱⁱ

Instant asset write-off now law

Eligible small businesses keen to take advantage of the instant asset write-off deduction for the cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 can breathe a sigh of relief, as the necessary legislation has finally been passed.iv

The assets must have been first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. You may also be able to claim the bonus Small Business Energy Incentive deduction for the same assets.

Pay less capital gains tax (CGT)

While a business can reduce capital gains made during a tax year by offsetting them with capital losses from the same or previous income years, not all capital losses are eligible.^v

Capital losses carried forward from previous years need to be used first, with losses from collectables (such as artwork and antiques) only permitted to be offset against capital gains from collectables.

Losses from personal use assets (such as boats or furniture), CGT exempt assets (such as cars and motorcycles), paying personal services income to yourself through an entity you set up, and leases producing income (such as commercial rental property), are ineligible as offsets.

Fuel tax credit rates change

Before claiming fuel tax credits in your next Business Activity Statement (BAS), check you are using the latest rates as they have changed twice in the new financial year.^vi

On 1 July 2024, the rate for heavy vehicles travelling on public roads changed due to an increase in the road user charge, with the rate altering again on 5 August 2024 due to a change in fuel excise indexation.

Different rates apply based on when you acquired fuel for your business’ use, so ensure you use the correct rate. If you are unsure, try the ATO’s online Fuel Tax Credit Calculator to work out the amount to report in your BAS.

Records essential for rental expense claims

Rental property investors without correct documentation to substantiate their expense deductions may find their claims declared invalid.^vii

The ATO is warning investors they need all receipts, invoices and bank statements plus details of how deductions were calculated and apportioned for a valid claim.

Although records can be paper or electronic, they must include the name, ABN or business name of suppliers, expense amounts, nature of the purchased goods or services, and purchase date.

ATO scam warning

With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, the ATO is warning businesses to be careful, with nearly 80 per cent of scams impersonating the ATO coming in the form of emails.

Red flags to share with your employees include any message containing links asking you to login to a government service such as myGov, as the ATO recently removed all hyperlinks in its unsolicited, outbound SMS.

Other ATO-focussed scams include messages requesting personal or financial information (especially those claiming to be urgent), or requests you download attachments, as these can be malware capable of stealing business information or assisting with fraud.

Lodging a ‘nil’ BAS

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