A key component of generational succession is the ability of the parties involved to separate business issues from family relationships. Understandably, this can be problematic and requires a significant amount of discipline by the participants. Leadership in this discipline needs to be provided by the exiting generation. Business tensions and differences in view about the…
The Tax Commissioner’s hit list Every so often the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sends a ‘shot across the bow’ warning taxpayers where their gaze is focussed. Last month in a speech to the National Press Club, Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan did exactly that. Part of the reason for this public outing is the gap between…
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning taxpayers that they are paying close attention to claims for work-related car expenses this tax time. Assistant Commissioner Kath Anderson wants taxpayers to avoid getting tripped up by making claims that they can’t justify, citing ‘standard’ claims as a common error. “Some people think they are entitled to…
What everyone selling a property valued at $750k or more needs to know Every vendor selling a property needs to prove that they are a resident of Australia for tax purposes unless they are happy for the purchaser to withhold a 12.5% withholding tax. From 1 July 2017, every individual selling a property with a…
Main residence exemption removed for non-residents The Federal Budget announced that non-residents will no longer be able to access the main residence exemption for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes from 9 May 2017 (Budget night). Now that the draft legislation has been released, more details are available about how this exclusion will work. Under the…
Saving for a first home is hard. From 1 July 2018, the first home savers scheme will enable first-home buyers to save for a deposit inside their superannuation account, attracting the tax incentives and some of the earnings benefits of superannuation. Home savers can make voluntary concessional contributions (for example by salary sacrificing) or non-concessional…
Super concessions for downsizers If you are over 65, have held your home for 10 years or more and are looking to sell, from 1 July 2018 you might be able to contribute some of the proceeds of the sale of your home to superannuation. The benefit of this measure is that you can contribute…
The need for greater formality and management structure Generational succession often requires a greater level of formality in the management and decision-making process. This formality should achieve a separation of function between: Management The Board of the company, and Shareholders Often in a small or medium business, roles can merge with no clear dividing lines…
Transition timeframes and expectations Generational succession is often a process rather than an event, achieved over an extended period of time. This is quite different to a sale of business where the owner’s active involvement in the business generally ceases shortly after sale. The extended timeframe for the transition requires active management to ensure that there are…
Succession income needs Ensuring remuneration is on commercial terms In many small and medium businesses, the owners arrange their remuneration from the business to meet their needs rather than being reasonable compensation for the roles undertaken. This can result in the business either paying too much or too little. Under a generational succession there should be an…