Australia: Eligibility for the lower company tax rate
On 18 September 2017, the Australian Government released draft tax legislation for consultation to clarify that passive investment companies cannot access the lower company tax rate for small businesses. The Minister for Revenue and Financial
See MoreAustralia: Consultation on Consolidation Integrity Measures
On 11 September 2017, the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services released draft tax consolidation legislation and an explanatory memorandum for public consultation. These important measures restore integrity to the tax consolidation rules. The
See MoreU.S. and Australia sign an agreement on the exchange of CbC reports
According to an IRS announcement on its website, the competent authorities of the U.S. and Australia have concluded an arrangement on the exchange of Country-by-Country Reports. The competent authority arrangement (CAA) for exchange of
See MoreAustralia: CbC reporting local file instructions now available
On 4 July 2017, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) published CbC reporting local file instructions together with some guidance on the meaning of “at the same time” for the purposes of the administrative solution. It allows reducing disclosures
See MoreAustralia: State Budget 2017-18
On 22 June 2017, the Treasurer, Mr. Tom Koutsantonis released the 2017-18 Budget of South Australia with the following measures: Stamp duty surcharge for foreign purchasers From 1 January 2018, a surcharge of 4% will apply to all residential
See MoreAustralia: Treasury Laws Amendment Act 2017 received Royal Assent
On 22 June 2017, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding Payments) Act 2017 received Royal Assent. Amends the Taxation Administration Act 1953 to modify the foreign resident capital gains withholding payments
See MoreAustralia signs MLI to prevent tax avoidance
Australia has signed the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting ("Multilateral Instrument" or "MLI"). The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Steven Ciobo MP, signed
See MoreAustralia: FTA negotiation with Peru
On 24 May, Australia and Peru launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). A fellow signatory to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, Peru has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. A Peru-Australia FTA
See MoreAustralia: New rate for franking credits
The company tax rate for small business has been reduced to 27.5% for 2016-17 and the maximum franking credit of small business has decreased to 27.5% (previously 30%). This reduced rate applies to companies with an aggregated turnover of less than
See MoreAustralia: GST registration system for non-resident businesses
Non-resident businesses supplying services and digital products to Australian consumers and who meet the turnover threshold of A$75,000 will need to register for Australian GST by 1 July 2017. There are two ways non-resident businesses can register
See MoreAustralia: Practical Compliance Guideline – cross-border related party financing arrangements and related transactions
On 16 May 2017, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) released a draft Practical Compliance Guideline that sets out the compliance approach for cross-border related party financing arrangements as defined in section 995-1 of the Income Tax Assessment
See MoreAustralia: Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2017/D2 – Central Management and Control test of residency
The Australian Tax Office has now released a new draft ruling TR 2017/D2 and has withdrawn its preceding ruling TR 2004/15 on the tax residence of foreign incorporated companies. Following the decision in Bywater Investments Limited &
See MoreAustralia: Implementation of the OECD hybrid mismatch rules
The Government of Australia has committed to the implementation of Action Item 2 of the G20/OECD BEPS Action Plan, which recommends neutralizing the effects of hybrid mismatch arrangements that occur due to the different treatment of an entity or
See MoreAustralia: Extending the immediate deductibility threshold for small business
On 9 May 2017, the Australian Government announced an extension to the 2015-16 Budget measure providing an instant asset write-off provision for small business. Small businesses can immediately deduct the business portion of most assets if they cost
See MoreAustralia: Foreign resident capital gains withholding payments
On 9 May 2017, the Australian Government announced proposed changes to the foreign resident capital gains withholding (FRCGW) rate and threshold. The changes will apply to contracts entered into on or after 1 July 2017, for real property
See MoreAustralia: Improving the small business capital gains tax concessions
On 9 May 2017, the Australian Government announced that it would amend the small business capital gains tax (CGT) concessions to ensure that they can only be accessed in relation to assets used in a small business or ownership interests in a small
See MoreAustralia: Federal Budget 2017-18
On 9 May 2017, the Treasurer of Australia handed down Budget 2017-18. The Government is focused on boosting the economy and helping households, to ensure all Australians can benefit from the nation’s growth story. This Budget is based on the
See MoreAustralia publishes CbC reporting, Local and Master files detailed design
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has published a Local file / Master file detailed design to serve as guidance for taxpayers regarding the practicalities in completing country-by-country (CbC) reporting by significant global entities. ATO has
See More