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July 2023
17/07/2023

Dumb ways to get a tax audit !

A tax audit is often a result of business owners not doing something that’s the norm. Doing dumb things that alert the ATO that some things are not quite right.

It is becoming imperative that you prepare your GST records appropriately to avoid unnecessary scrutiny by the Taxation Office which may lead to a tax audit for your Bas. These include:

 Failure to allow for car expenses for vehicles that are used partly for business purposes.
 Claiming all the GST paid on the following expenses: (similar to last year )
o car operating expenses, a log book must be kept
o home electricity, – diary evidence floor area
o home rates,
o internet access and
o home telephone bills,

Partial Business Usage

When these items were only used partly for business purposes claim only part of GST. If you use computerised accounting software be careful with this one, as special procedures are required.
 Claiming GST on non-business items.
 Claiming all GST or not claiming GST when not applicable
o Most bank charges. Merchant fees charged by banks, for retailers to have credit card facilities, do have GST in them. Refer to the monthly merchant statement for the GST amount.

GST amounts are often not shown on normal bank statements.
o Motor Vehicle Registration fees.
o Stamp duty and most government fees.
o Rates on business premises.

Sales and GST

 Not charging GST on all sales – NOT RECORDING ALL GST ON SALES
 Not charging GST on the Sale of equipment

Partial GST

Assuming the GST is exactly one-eleventh of every amount paid. This assumption is not correct in the case of :
o Workers Compensation premiums, (which include GST-free stamp duty)
o Yellow Pages Advertisements paid by instalments, which often require all the GST to be paid “up-front”.
 Failure to put the correct “tax codes” on receipts or payments when using a computerised accounting system

Take some time to understand what the codes are and the types of income/expense which each tax code should be used for. As a small business tax accountant, we can help you get it right.

 Using “Cash accounting” when should be “accrual accounting”.
 Not including “Instalment Income” for PAYG or using the correct rate.

Spending the time to get some of these rights may help you to avoid a tax audit and the ATO snooping around into your affairs

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estate planning
17/07/2023

Our Guide to Managing a Deceased persons Tax Return

Lodging a final Deceased persons Tax Return is one of the important things to do when managing someone’s final affairs. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a deeply emotional and challenging time. Beyond grief and sorrow, there are often a number of administrative tasks to navigate. One of these tasks is managing the deceased person’s tax return. It’s a task that can seem daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the tax system. However, understanding the process can make it less overwhelming. We as Accountants that specialise in this area can help.

In the Australian context, the taxation obligations of a deceased person don’t simply disappear upon their death. These obligations can transfer to their legal representative or the executor of their will.
. It is a crucial step in finalising the deceased’s affairs and ensuring compliance with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Understanding a Deceased Person’s Tax Return in Australia

When a person dies, their tax obligations do not automatically cease. Rather, these obligations transition to their deceased estate. This means that any income earned from the day after the person’s death until the end of the financial year must be declared in the deceased person’s tax return.
In general, a deceased person’s tax return is prepared like a living person’s tax return. This includes all forms of income, deductions, and tax offsets until the date of death. However, there are some specific rules and regulations related to the taxation of deceased estates. These include the treatment of superannuation death benefits, capital gains tax, and the taxation of testamentary trusts.


Legal responsibilities for managing a deceased affairs

The responsibility for managing a deceased estate’s tax falls primarily to the legal representative. This can be the executor of the will, an administrator appointed by the court, or a trustee.
The legal representative is responsible for lodging the deceased person’s tax return from the start of the income year until the date of death. They must also lodge a tax return for the deceased estate for any income earned after the date of death by the estate.


In addition to lodging tax returns, the legal representative must also pay any tax owed. They may use the assets of the deceased estate to do this. It’s important to understand that as a legal representative, its your role to ensure that all tax obligations are met.


Who is responsible for filing a final tax return for the deceased person?

The executor of the will, or the court-appointed administrator, or the trustee is responsible for filing thedeceased persons final tax return for someone who has died. This individual is often called the legal personal representative (LPR), . Their role is to manage the deceased’s tax affairs.


The LPR’s tasks include notifying the ATO about the person’s death. It also involves gathering all necessary financial information, preparing, and lodging the deceased person’s tax return, and paying any outstanding tax from the estate’s assets.

We recommend working slowly through the issues. Don’t be pressured by beneficiaries keen to get their hands on the money.


Steps in filing a deceased person’s tax return

Filing a deceased person’s tax return involves several steps.

First, the legal representative should notify the ATO about the death.

This can be done by sending a copy of the death certificate, along with a written notice, to the ATO. Though often the ATO gets notified by other sources such as birth death and marriages.

Next, the representative should gather all necessary financial information. This will likely include bank statements, investment reports, and details of any superannuation funds. The data will be used to prepare the deceased person’s tax return.

The third step involves completing the tax return. Therefore after the tax return has been lodged, the representative must then pay any outstanding tax before making final distributions


Remember, these steps can take time and require attention to detail. It’s crucial to stay organised and keep accurate records throughout the process.

Common issues in managing a deceased estate’s tax return


Managing a deceased person’s tax return is not always straightforward. Various issues can arise, complicating the process.


One common issue is incomplete or missing financial records. This can make it difficult to accurately complete the tax return. In such cases, the legal representative may need to contact banks, investment companies, and other institutions to obtain the necessary information. Always plan by actively undertaking Estate planning so that when you die some of the complexity is ironed out.


Another common issue is the complexity of the deceased’s financial affairs. If the deceased had multiple income sources, substantial investments, or owned a business, the tax return could become quite complicated. In these situations, it might be necessary to engage professional help.

Being an executor can be a big responsibility. However, with a basic understanding, organisation, and patience, it can be managed effectively. Take time to work through the processes and reach out if you need guidance along the way.



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13/07/2023

July 2023 – Client Newsletter

As we start the New Financial Year, this month our newsletter contains topics including:

  • Small Business Lodgement Amnesty
  • Is it time to restructure my Business?
  • SGC increase to 11% for Employers to pay
  • Work-related car expenses updated

Click here to download our July Newsletter

12/07/2023

Capital Gains Valuation – often done retrospectively.


When do you need a Capital Gains Valuation. Selling your home or acquired property through inheritance, demolishing a home or rental for property development gst matters, you may need to obtain a retrospective valuation capital gains property report.

The capital gains report may be referred to as backdated property valuation or a capital gains valuation.

The property valuation will outline the property market value at a specific time in the past by a certified valuer. This assists you with helping you work out your capital gains tax liability by providing a market value at a specific date required.

The Tax Office will require the taxpayer to have acquired a capital gains tax property valuation report to establish the correct capital gain made on the sale of their property in some circumstances. This Valuation, in many cases, forms the basis for the cost base of the property.

A Valuer, using historical data, knowledge, and historical facts will be able to provide you with a valuation that can be used on a specified date. Failing to provide such evidence may result in the ATO using their own Valuation methodology and not necessarily coming up with the expected result you desire.

Many years ago, the ATO would accept a one-liner on a real estate agents letterhead. This now is not the case, and the Valuation must be substantiated to provide an accurate figure.

Check with us to determine what date you require and why before engaging with a valuer. We have no alliance with the following Valuers, but we are aware our clients have used these businesses in the past:

http://www.insightproperty.com.au
http://www.duotax.com.au/property-valuations

03/07/2023

Recording obsolete stock in your accounting system

Identifying and recording obsolete trading stock write-offs for a small business involves several steps.

Its that time of year, when you should undertake you annual stock take. We suggest to be practical in your approach. Use scales and estimates for small items such as screws , widgets and small items.

A practical approach – obsolete items.

Here’s a general guide on how to approach this process:

  1. Identify the stock items: Begin by reviewing your inventory records and identifying any old trading stock that needs to be written off. Look for items that are damaged, expired, obsolete, or unsellable due to other reasons.
  2. When doing a stocktake, use round stickers (i.e. red dots) or straws to identify those items that you have counted.
  3. Assess the value: Determine the value of the stock items that need to be written off. This can be done by assessing their original purchase cost, current market value (if applicable), or any other relevant valuation method.
  4. Document the write-off: Maintain proper documentation for the write-off. This should include details such as the date, description, quantity, unit cost, and total value of the stock items being written off. Store this information for future reference, especially for tax and audit purposes.
  5. Update inventory records: Adjust your inventory records to reflect the write-off. This helps ensure accurate reporting and tracking of your remaining stock items.
  6. Tax considerations: See Geoff and his team

Remember, if need help contact us .

You should combine your stocktake with a sales budget that should be done for coming year

Once you have undertaken your list let us know and we will help you record it in your accounting system. Happy new financial year.

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