During the Tax Time 2019 session at Synergy, we covered; what lies ahead for you in 2019, tax changes you need to know, how it will impact you and your clients when preparing all the tax returns types.

Here are 5 items that might be of interest this tax time.

1. Personal income tax plan

Summary

The Personal Income Tax Plan was announced in the 2018-19 Budget and delivers a new low and middle-income tax offset, changes to the existing low-income tax offset and various threshold changes over the next seven years.

There were further changes announced in the 2019-20 federal budget which will affect the existing offsets and thresholds if enacted.

Impacts

Changes have been made to the live tax estimate, the estimate summary and the audit trail in Tax Assistant and Onvio.

2. Combined HELP measures

Summary

This legislation changes the minimum repayment income thresholds and repayment rates effective from 1 July 2019.

From 1 July 2019, the Student Financial Supplement Scheme (SFSS) under the Student Assistance Act 1973 and Social Security Act 1991 will become part of the repayment hierarchy, where it will be repaid after the payment of the HELP debt.

Impacts

Standard annual changes to the repayment income thresholds and rates for HELP, SSL, ABSTUDY SSL, TSL and SFSS.

From 1 July 2019, all study and training loans will be covered by one set of thresholds and rates.

3. Expanding accelerated depreciation for small business

Summary

The instant asset write-off threshold has increased to $30,000 for each asset from 7.30pm (AEDT) 2 April 2019 and the instant asset write-off has been extended to 30 June 2020.

Impacts

Businesses with a turnover from $10 million to less than $50 million may be eligible for the instant asset write-off for assets purchased for less than $30,000 each from 7.30pm (AEDT) 2 April 2019 to 30 June 2020. For assets purchased for $30,000 or more, the general depreciation rules must be used.

4. Payment summary changes through Single Touch Payroll

Summary

If an employer reports through Single Touch Payroll they are not required to provide a payment summary to their employees.

Income statements will replace payment summaries. Employees can access their income statements through ATO online services via myGov, at any time. Employees will receive a notification from us in their myGov inbox when their income statement is ‘Tax ready’, so they can complete their tax return.

Employees will be able to contact the ATO for a copy of their income statement if they do not have access to myGov.

5. Downsizer contributions into superannuation

Summary

The contributing the proceeds of downsizing to superannuation measure was one of several measures announced in the 2017-18 Budget as part of the Government’s package of reforms to reduce pressure on housing affordability.

Older Australians choosing to sell their home and downsize or move from homes that no longer meet their needs are provided with the benefit of being able to contribute the proceeds from the sale of their home into superannuation.

Schedule 2 to the Bill allows an individual to use the proceeds in relation to one sale of their main residence to make contributions (downsizer contributions) of up to $300,000 to their superannuation provider if they are 65 years of age or over and meet all the eligibility requirements.

Impacts

Two new labels have been implemented in Tax Assistant to accommodate this change:

  • Members Statement – Labels H1 and H2.

Onvio can help

Thomson Reuters Onvio can help your business deal with the unprecedented rate of change the industry is seeing by equipping you with the advanced software you need to run your practice. Onvio’s cloud technology allows you and your staff to work anywhere at any time using one online system. You’ll be able to share data seamlessly and streamline your workflow, while keeping your confidential data secure at all times.

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