The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has updated its
approach to how you claim expenses for working from home.
The ATO has ‘refreshed’ the way you can claim deductions for the costs you incur when you work from home. From 1 July 2022 onwards, you can
choose either to use a new ‘fixed rate’ method (67 cents per hour), or the ‘actual cost’ method depending on what works out best for your
scenario. Either way, you will need to gather and retain certain records to make a claim.
The first issue for claiming any deduction is that there must be a link between the costs you incurred and the way you earn your income. If
you incur an expense but it doesn’t relate to your work, or only partially relates to your work, you cannot claim the full cost as a
deduction.
The second key issue is that you need to incur costs associated with working from home. For example, if you are living with your parents and
not picking up any of the expenses for running the home then you can’t claim deductions for working from home as you have not incurred the
expenses, even if you are paying board (the ATO treats this as a private arrangement).
Let’s take a look at the detail:
Some people might find that the actual method produces a better result if their expenses are higher. As the name suggests, you can claim the actual additional expenses you incur when you work from home (and reduce the claim by any personal use and use by other family members).
However, you will need to ensure you have kept records of these expenses and the extent to which the expenses relate to your work.
Using this method, you can claim the work related portion of:
Be careful with this method because the ATO are looking closely to ensure these expenses are directly related to how you earn your income.
For example, you can’t claim personal expenses such as coffee, tea and toilet paper even if you do use these items when you are at work.
Nor can you claim occupancy expenses such as rent, mortgage interest, property insurance, and land taxes and rates unless your home is
a place of business. It is unusual for an employee’s home to be classified as a place of business.
\Where your home is also your principal place of business and an area is set aside exclusively for business activities, you can potentially
claim a deduction for an appropriate portion of occupancy expenses as well as running costs. An example would be a doctor who runs their
surgery from home.
The doctor may have one-third of the home set aside as a place of business where they see patients.
It is important to keep in mind that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) might be payable on the eventual sale of the home. While your main residence is normally exempt from CGT, the portion of the home set aside as a place of business will not generally qualify for the main residence exemption for the period it is used for this purpose, although if you are eligible, the small business CGT concessions and general CGT discount may reduce any resulting capital gain.
We provide strategic business and tax advisory, underpinned by our expertise in financial planning to ensure we develop financial structures that are smart and well considered.
The proposed objective of superannuation released in recently released draft legislation is: ‘to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.’
The TikTok tax fraud is extensive and has several layers of impact across the 56,000 taxpayers caught up in it.
Succession is not just a topic for a TV series or billionaire families, it’s about successfully transitioning your business and maximising its capital value.
New guidance from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) walks through the tax impact of small-scale subdivision projects.
The tax refund many Australians expect has dramatically reduced.
With workers headed back into the office, demand for sublease space is rising – especially in the smaller capital cities.
For motorbike enthusiasts who always want the latest models, leasing is an attractive option. Leases allow you to regularly upgrade with the latest features.
One of the biggest advantages for sellers in winter is the lower supply of properties on the market. Sellers have the opportunity to attract a more focused and captive audience of buyers.
ONLINE WEBINAR
9 August 2023 // 4:00 - 5:00p.m.
We invite you join this very special webinar with Jody Fitzgerald, Head of Institutional Portfolio Management at Morningstar, one of the
most well-known and respected investment professionals in Australia, to gain insights into the modern investing landscape.
Business loans are one method you can use to purchase a business or fund the ongoing operations of your current business. The first step is to clearly define the purpose of the loan.
Self-storage units have long been a popular option for investors with demand from the private sector remaining high.
During COVID, listings were tight and demand remained strong. As interest rates started to climb, some of the demand started falling away, however, listings didn’t rise.
With higher interest rates many buyers are looking at creative ways to boost their rental income. One popular strategy is building an extra dwelling – like a granny flat
Despite interest rates rising at a record pace, the number of mortgage holders in arrears remains around the long-term average of 1%.
The move toward mortgage brokers and away from direct lenders by borrowers is continuing to increase.
For most people, a car loan is often the second largest household expense and it’s one that can cost a lot more these days with the high price of new cars.
ONLINE WEBINAR
27 July 2023 // 12:30-1:30pm
(ESG) considerations have become increasingly important for investors as they look to make investment decisions that align with their values
and have a positive impact on the world.
One solution used by many businesses is to lease the equipment. By choosing to lease, businesses can spread out the cost of the equipment over several years through manageable monthly payments
Off-market normally just means that the property is sold without it ever being listed. This can be with the help of an agent, or privately.
When it comes to negotiating, there are some things you can do to make the process more transparent and easier. For the most part, it comes down to being prepared.
On 1 July 2023, award rates of pay and the National Minimum Wage increased by 5.75%.
With inflation still remaining high and continuing to increase the official cash rate, borrowers should consider returning to fixed rate loan products.
Industrial property market has seen the vacancy rate hit another new record low despite projections of a surge in supply.
The digital games and interactive entertainment sector is the largest creative sector in the world and one of the fastest growing industries worldwide.
Office assets were considered a premium commercial investment choice, with high demand from offshore buyers.
The 120% skills and training, and technology costs deduction for small and medium business have passed Parliament.
Investors remained focused on the release of inflation data and how ongoing pricing pressures might affect monetary policy settings in key regions.
Bianca Carroll's dedication and commitment to excellence have culminated in her being recognized as the Emerging Adviser of the Year, a remarkable accomplishment that is a testament to her perseverance.
ONLINE WEBINAR
21 June 2023 // 12:30-1:30pm
Many people believe that if they have a valid Will they also have
an estate plan, but this is not so. While a Will outlines where the deceased individual's assets will be distributed, it does not
include various other documents and directives that are available.
In a recent Harvard Study on the key ingredients to happiness, while extreme wealth won’t buy you happiness, having financial security can help you avoid stress and solve problems faster.
Compounding is an extremely effective investing tool, says Morningstar Investment Management’s Head of Institutional Portfolio Management and Solutions, Jody Fitzgerald, but it’s important to be aware of its inverse power on the downside.
With a few weeks left until the end of the financial year, it's time to optimize our SMSF or other super funds and maximize available strategies.
Young investors in their 20s and 30s possess a valuable asset for investing.
Over the past few years, service stations have been a favoured investment option.
Industrial property is putting upward pressure on rents, according to a new report from Savills
As EOFY approaches, it's important that Australian businesses prepare for their tax responsibilities and reassess their financial strategies.
One of the most common mistakes when refinancing a car loan is to ignore your credit score.
A pre-approval is simply a lender indicating they’d be willing to loan a certain amount to a potential buyer. However, it's important to remember that a pre-approval is not a guaranteed loan.
With the cost of living surging, many Australians likely wish their mortgage was already paid off.
Upside Realty found a significant increase in open home attendance across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
The end of the financial year is always a busy time for property investors, however, with the right preparation you can make the most of your available deductions.
SMEs face new challenges and opportunities with the ESG trend. This article offers a balanced breakdown of ESG, its varying perspectives, implications for SMEs, and the pros and cons.
Recently, Fair Work legislation has been amended in a number of areas and if you’re a business owner with employees, you should be across these.
When considering a mortgage, it's advisable to research different lenders and their product offerings to determine if they provide offset accounts as an option.
Several costs come with refinancing a home loan, although some of these costs are added to your new mortgage. You can get a rough estimate of the cost to refinance your mortgage by using a refinance calculator, or engaging a mortgage broker.
On settlement day, it's important to consider tasks such as reviewing the final settlement statement, ensuring funds are available for the down payment and closing costs, and conducting a final inspection of the property before completing the purchase.
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows homeowners who are typically 62 years or older to convert a portion of their home equity into cash.
Mortgage refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new loan, typically to secure better terms, lower interest rates, or access equity in the property.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.