The Budget and the May Newsletters

The Budget Newsletter

Undoubtedly the headline item from the budget is tax relief for individuals by lifting the 32.5% tax bracket to $90,000 from 1 July 2018 and the Government’s announcement of its intention abolish the 37% tax bracket in 2024-25. In the 2022-23 financial year we will also see the Low Income Tax Offset increased to $645 and the 19% tax rate from $37,000 to $41,000.

Health & aged care was a key focus for this announcement. In the build up to the budget, we heard that there will be no increase to the Medicare levy, as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been funded from other sources of revenue. Whilst we do not know the exact details of where this extra money has been found, the abandonment of this proposed increase is certainly welcomed. The Medicare rebate is increasing by 55¢ for a visit to the GP after a four year freeze and the Royal Flying Doctors Service given an additional $84 million to expand its services.

The Government is also tackling the sin taxes in this year’s budget. After crackdowns in recent times on the black economy, the Government’s next project to recoup lost revenue is to establish a tobacco taskforce – expected to raise an additional $3.6 billion in additional revenue – to crack down on the “chop-chop” tobacco trade. With regards to alcohol, the excise charged on craft beer kegs over eight litres will be equalised. This is intended to level the competition between small craft breweries and large multinational beer producers.

The May Newsletter

Interest expenses on money borrowed to buy business assets can be deductible. However there are also circumstances, allowed under tax law, where deductions are still available after the relevant asset is disposed of. We run over the details.

We also look at the “work test” required for super contributions to be made for those over the age of 65. In this issue of your newsletter we also deal with tax and franchising, the basics of testamentary trusts, and have a quick quiz (with answers) on business deductions.

Please contact us for clarification, or further advice, regarding any of the topics covered in this newsletter.

LATERALS-May-2018

LATERALS-Budget-May-2018