Australia: ATO announces GIC, SIC rates for Q1 2025-26
From 1 July 2025, the GIC annual rate will be 10.78%, and the SIC annual rate will be 6.78%. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced the general interest charge (GIC) rates and shortfall interest charge (SIC) rates for the first quarter of
See MoreJ5 Australia, Canada, Netherlands, UK, and US publish report on fintech use in tax evasion and money laundering
The J5 group—Australia, Canada, Netherlands, UK, and US—has released a report examining how fintech is used to facilitate tax evasion and money laundering. The Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5) released three reports today –
See MoreAustralia: ATO confirms interest on late payments and underpayments is non-deductible from July 2025
The ATO reminds taxpayers that from 1 July 2025, interest on late payments and underpayments will no longer be tax deductible. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced on 10 June 202, reminding taxpayers that from 1 July 2025, interest
See MoreAustralia: ATO issues updated monthly FX rates for 2024–25, including April and May 2025
The ATO updated its guidance on monthly exchange rates for the 2024-2025 financial year, including rates for April and May 2025, on 5 June 2025. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) updated its guidance on monthly exchange rates from 1 July 2024
See MoreAustralia: BoT consults on revised tax transparency code to align with public CbC reporting
Australia’s Board of Taxation has launched a consultation on 5 June 2025, proposing updates to simplify the Voluntary Tax Transparency Code (VTTC). Australia’s Board of Taxation (BoT), which oversees Australia's Voluntary Tax Transparency
See MoreAustralia: ATO grants 12-month extension for Not-for-Profits to update governing documents for tax exemption compliance
The extension applies to NFPs that have not distributed income or assets to members while it is operating and winding up. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced on 2 June 2025, a 12-month extension for self-assessing income tax exempt
See MoreAustralia: Tasmania unveils 2025–26 budget, abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers
The 2025-26 budget introduces no new taxes or changes to existing ones. Its key initiative is removing stamp duty for first home buyers in Tasmania on homes up to AUD 750,000. Guy Barnett, Treasurer and Deputy Premier of Tasmania, presented the
See MoreAustralia: ATO consults draft GST instruments
Comments are open until 25 June 2025. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued two draft legislative instruments, LI 2025/D6 and LI 2025/D7, for public consultation on the goods and services tax (GST) on 28 May 2025. The key measures
See MoreAustralia: ATO consults thin capitalization compliance guide
The ATO is seeking public feedback on a draft guidance to limit interest payment deductions on multinational debt. Comments are due by 30 June 2025. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has opened a public consultation regarding a draft guidance
See MoreAustralia: ATO revises functional currency guidelines
The ATO updated its Guide to Functional Currency Rules on 22 May 2025, detailing the rules, eligibility, and tax reporting impacts. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) updated its Guide to functional currency rules on 22 May 2025, covering the
See MoreAustralia: Administrative Review Tribunal rules in favour of Alcoa against ATO in key transfer pricing ruling
This case focused on a major transfer pricing issue, where ATO claimed Alcoa underpriced its alumina sales to Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) from 1993 to 2009, causing a tax shortfall of over AUD 213 million. Australia’s Administrative Review
See MoreAustralia: Productivity Commission consults corporate tax reform, reduce regulatory impact on businesses
The Australian Productivity Commission is seeking policies to enhance economic resilience and productivity. Feedback is open until 6 June 2025. The Australian Productivity Commission has opened a consultation for a corporate tax reform to build a
See MoreAustralia: ATO updates guidance on Pillar Two minimum tax rules
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has published new guidance on the Pillar Two minimum tax rules on 16 May 2025. It now includes: Guidance about how the ATO will administer potential amendments to Australian law to address
See MoreAustralia: Victoria proposes extension of off-the-plan stamp duty concession
Australia’s Victorian government announced on 14 May 2025 that it will extend its stamp duty concession for eligible “off-the-plan” homes for another 12 months. The Victorian Budget 2025-26 will invest AUD 61 million to slash stamp duty for
See MoreAustralia: Northern Territory presents tax measures for 2025 budget
Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) newly elected Country Liberal Party has presented its 2025-26 budget for the province on 13 May 2025. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Treasurer Bill Yan have emphasised key priorities in the budget,
See MoreASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand’s revised free trade agreement goes into effect
An upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) agreement came into effect on 21 April 2024. It covers a market of over 703 million people with a combined GDP of more than USD 5.6 trillion. The agreement is expected to enhance
See MoreAustralia: ATO highlights unusual deductions and 2025 compliance priorities
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has unveiled “wild” tax deduction attempts and its 2025 priorities on 7 May 2025. The key focus areas include common errors in work-related expenses, working from home deductions, and multiple income
See MoreAustralia: ATO urges large taxpayers to submit annual GST supplementary return
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a reminder about lodging a new supplementary annual GST return for large taxpayers on 8 May 2025. The return is required for those in the Top 100 and Top 1,000 Justified Trust Programs for GST
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