On 3 May 2025, Australians decisively re-elected the Albanese Labor Government. With a renewed majority, Labor has promised to deliver sweeping changes aimed at simplifying the tax system, easing student debt, empowering small businesses, and reinforcing Australia’s long-term economic sustainability. Below is a breakdown of the major policies they have committed to implement.
On 3 May 2025, Australians decisively re-elected the Albanese Labor Government. With a renewed majority, Labor has promised to deliver sweeping changes aimed at simplifying the tax system, easing student debt, empowering small businesses, and reinforcing Australia’s long-term economic sustainability. Below is a breakdown of the major policies they have committed to implement.
On 3 May 2025, Australians decisively re-elected the Albanese Labor Government. With a renewed majority, Labor has promised to deliver sweeping changes aimed at simplifying the tax system, easing student debt, empowering small businesses, and reinforcing Australia’s long-term economic sustainability. Below is a breakdown of the major policies they have committed to implement.
In the last edition of our newsletter, we touched upon the High Court’s Decision regarding Unpaid Trust Entitlements (UTE) aka the Bendel case. The Bendel case refers to the Full Federal Court decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15 (Bendel), which challenged the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) longstanding position on the tax treatment of unpaid present entitlements (UPEs) to corporate beneficiaries in trusts.
From 1 April 2025, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has begun transitioning certain small businesses from quarterly to monthly GST reporting. This change targets businesses with a history of non-compliance, including missed payments, late or non-lodged Business Activity Statements (BAS), and incorrect GST reporting.
The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year ended on 31 March 2025, and the lodgement deadline is 21 May 2025 or 25 June if lodged electronically by an appropriate registered tax agent. If you provided any non-cash benefits to employees such as vehicles, accommodation, or expense reimbursements it’s time to assess your FBT obligations.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered his fourth federal budget, setting the stage for the upcoming federal election that is likely to be called in a matter of days.
The Full Federal Court has dismissed the ATO’s long-standing position that an unpaid present entitlement (UPE) from a trust to a private company should be treated as a loan under the Division 7A deemed dividend rules.