Crypto-to-Crypto Trades: Bursting the Bubble on the Tax-Free Fantasy

Crypto-to-Crypto Trades: Bursting the Bubble on the Tax-Free Fantasy

Taxation of cryptocurrency continues to gain substantial attention in the media. Our thoughts on the implications of having a commercial nature when acquiring and selling cryptocurrency and the general uncertainty around taxation of cryptocurrency were recently shared in Forbes.

Don’t you forget about me: ATO also considering property developers and their GST obligations?

Don’t you forget about me: ATO also considering property developers and their GST obligations?

A recent ATO post on its social media channels may signal the Commissioner of Taxation’s focus on the GST obligations of taxpayers involved in the development of property for sale at a profit and whether they are required to register for GST. 

Changes in the wind: increased tightening of taxpayers’ eligibility to CGT small business concessions

Changes in the wind: increased tightening of taxpayers’ eligibility to CGT small business concessions

The application of the small business capital gains tax (CGT) concessions in Division 152 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (CGT Concessions) is an area of interest for the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

ATO guidance on Capital/Revenue in property developments turns on subtle facts

ATO guidance on Capital/Revenue in property developments turns on subtle facts

On 9 July 2018, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently released the Draft Property and Construction Website Guidance (the Guidelines) providing guidance in relation to the ATO position on property development and whether relevant property is held by the taxpayer on capital or revenue account.

Beware of the Fork in the Road: Taxation and Cryptocurrency Chain Splits

Beware of the Fork in the Road: Taxation and Cryptocurrency Chain Splits

The Federal Commissioner of Taxation  (Commissioner) recently updated his guidelines on cryptocurrency and for the first time addressed the taxation of cryptocurrency acquired as the result of a chain split.  

TD 2018/13 - a commercial transaction may not stop Division 7A

TD 2018/13 -  a commercial transaction may not stop Division 7A

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently released Taxation Determination TD 2018/13 (TD 2018/13) confirming its view that the (often overlooked) interposed entity provisions in section 109T of Division 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 can apply to ordinary commercial transactions.

Sladen Snippet - Illegal Phoenix Activity – Modernising Business Registers and the new Phoenix Hotline

Sladen Snippet - Illegal Phoenix Activity – Modernising Business Registers and the new Phoenix Hotline

On 9 May 2018 we reported to you new initiatives regarding proposed laws targeting illegal phoenix activity (https://sladen.com.au/news/2018/5/9/sladen-snippet-proposed-laws-targeting-illegal-phoenix-activity) announced by the Federal Government in the 2018/2019 Budget.  Consistent with the proposed measures announced under the budget, the Federal Government has now:

GST withholding: finalised ATO guidance does not even out the bumps

GST withholding: finalised ATO guidance does not even out the bumps

GST withholding on taxable supplies of certain new residential premises or potential residential land is now in effect and applies to contracts entered into on or after 1 July 2018 (or contracts before that date where the first consideration other than the deposit is paid on or after 1 July 2020).

Corporate tax residency – tax ruling highlights the need for foreign companies to manage residency risk

Corporate tax residency – tax ruling highlights the need for foreign companies to manage residency risk

Foreign companies that may be controlled by an Australian entity should review their key decision-making procedures following the newly issued Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Taxation Ruling, TR 2018/5 (TR 2018/5) which gives guidance on when the ATO could find a foreign company’s central management and control (CMC) is located in Australia.

The Cryptocurrency Boom – All That Glitters is Not Gold

The Cryptocurrency Boom – All That Glitters is Not Gold

For the purpose of this article “cryptocurrency” refers to all digital currency assets including, but not limited to, Bitcoin (BTC) and altcoins including Bitcoin Cash (BTH), Ripple (XRP), NEM, Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Litecoin (LTC), Dash (DASH), Monero (XMR) and Z Cash (ZEC).

Sladen Snippet - Government to consider individual tax residency rules

Sladen Snippet - Government to consider individual tax residency rules

On 9 July 2018, in a Media Release, the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, announced the release of the self-initiated Board of Taxation report, dated August 2017, on a new tax residency model for individuals.  Minister O’Dwyer requested further analysis and consideration on the key recommendations before the Government takes a position on this matter. 

The Bitcoin Rush: A taxing issue for pioneers

The Bitcoin Rush: A taxing issue for pioneers

The Federal Commissioner of Taxation  (Commissioner) recently updated his guidelines on cryptocurrency addressing some of the many questions that have been raised. However, these guidelines offer little assistance for early adopters of cryptocurrency who find themselves in a unique position.

Decisions, decisions, decisions: when does the Commissioner make a ‘decision'?

Decisions, decisions, decisions: when does the Commissioner make a ‘decision'?

The recent Full Federal Court decision of Pintarich v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2018] FCAFC 79 dismissing the taxpayer’s appeal, considered whether a letter (the ATO Letter) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) purportedly remitting the taxpayer’s general Interest charge (GIC) amounted to a ‘decision’ by the Commissioner of Taxation (Commissioner). 

Sladen Snippet - Possible delayed start date of the changes to CGT small business concessions

Sladen Snippet - Possible delayed start date of the changes to CGT small business concessions

On 21 June 2018, Senator David Leyonhjelm of the Liberal Democratic Party Treasury proposed in the Senate that the amendments to the CGT small business concessions in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2018 (the Bill) apply, if passed, from 8 February 2018 (when the Bill was released in Exposure Draft form) rather than 1 July 2017 (as originally announced in the May 2017 Budget).