News & Tax Insights

What are the company tax rates over the next few years?

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The prevailing company tax rate will depend on whether the company is a base rate entity. In two years’, there will be a 5% differential. From 2018/19, a company will be a base rate entity and use the Low Rate if its aggregated turnover is less than $50m and 80% or a less of its assessable income is base rate passive income.  Base rate passive income includes: Dividends (including non-share dividends) Franking credits Interest (including gains on qualifying securities) Royalties Rent Net capital gains, and Distributions of base rate passive income from trusts or partnerships. Aggregated turnover means the company’s…

Setting up business in Singapore?

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Singapore is a close neighbour to Australia and has many benefits for the establishment of a new business. Nonetheless, it is a foreign jurisdiction and complexities arise within the Australian tax system that need to be thought through and dealt with prior to the establishment of a new business. This video covers the Singapore’s major pros and cons across the business spectrum.

Should I set up my new business here in Australia or go offshore?

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There are pros and cons in all the business areas in deciding whether to set up in Australia or taking your business offshore. It’s necessary to consider the small but sophisticated domestic market, close vicinity to large Asian markets and early adoption of technology. Aspects of supply are expensive, but talented people want to live in Australia because it’s a great lifestyle. Taxes are relatively high but there is an absence of estate and gift taxes.

Government tries to fix the glitch in company tax cut. Does it make things worse? Yes!

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In December 2017, we published this article and video: government-tries-fix-glitch-company-tax-cut-make-things-worse Those publications were in response to a Government Bill to change the way companies could access the lower corporate tax rate.  That bill has now become law and has made the determination of the tax position for a company much more complicated. With the “bright line” test in this new law, companies may fluctuate from being a lower tax “base rate entity” one year and subject to the full 30% corporate tax rate the next year and then, subsequently revert.  A change would also trigger for the maximum franking for dividends from…

Tax credits for junior minerals explorers

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Investors in junior minerals explorers will benefit from a new tax credit system with Government legislation now under consideration in the Senate. The new rules replace the Exploration Development Incentive and allow junior explorers to sacrifice their carry forward tax losses and distribute a refundable tax credit to new investors. This article will be of interest to mining professionals generally, leadership of junior minerals explorers and investors interested in that sector and that are seeking tax effective securities for their portfolio. You can use this information to keep up to date, monitor the progress of the legislation, optimise the management…

Big tax breaks for investors in new innovative companies

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Sophisticated investors in early stage innovative companies can receive a tax credit of 20% of their investment, up to a limit of $200,000, and subsequent sale of the company shares will be capital gains tax free provided they are held for 12 months to ten years. There are also concessional capital gains tax outcomes if the shares are held for longer than ten years. Smaller investors that don’t meet the “sophisticated investor” test are eligible for the tax incentives only if their investment in early stage innovative companies is $50,000 or less, for any particular tax year. Question: What are…

New rules to help directors save their company

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The Government changed the Corporations Act in September 2017 to provide, so called, ‘safe harbour’ rules to help directors rescue their company if they are concerned that it can’t or may not be able to pay its debts when they fall due. The new rules soften the subsisting insolvent trading regime which sheets home to directors the personal liability for the debts a company incurs whilst trading at a time that it is insolvent and place a responsibility on directors to put their company into administration or liquidation. Personal responsibility for a company’s insolvent trading debts applies: to someone who…

Government tries to fix the glitch in company tax cut. Does it make things worse?

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Earlier in 2017, the Government introduced legislation to cut all company tax rates progressively from 30% to 25%, over the next decade.  They did not get the full suite of tax cuts through the Senate but the Parliament did pass amended legislation providing tax cuts for smaller companies conducting a business.  Unfortunately, there was a glitch in how eligible companies were determined.  The Government has now introduced amending legislation to the Parliament to fix that glitch but there may be problems remaining. Under the current law, companies that operate a business have their tax rate cut to 27.5% where: Aggregated…

Our New Website is Now Live!

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With over 50 years of experience helping businesses solve complex problems and seizing opportunities, we felt that an improved online presence is the best way for Lovetts to share our experience, knowledge and information with you. We continue to thrive on solving your problems, whether they’re complex or unusual in nature and love going the extra mile to get you the result you want and need. The new-look website will be updated regularly with blog articles and the new format is now mobile-friendly! Watch our “Who We Are” video on the website and keep an eye on your email Inbox…

Warning – Your home sale may be subject to big tax if you go overseas

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Treasury has released draft legislation to impose capital gains tax on the sale of your Australian home if you have become non-resident, punishing ordinary Australians that need to travel internationally for work. It follows an announcement made in the May 2017 Budget. If you sell your home, broadly, there is an exemption from tax on the gain you make during the period that you use the property as your main residence - the main residence exemption. Further, if you are away from your home the main residence exemption is extended indefinitely or if you rent your house out, you can…

Family trusts allow the rich to dodge tax, hurting Australia’s poor. Not!

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Family trusts are used extensively in Australia, much more so than other countries. Why is that? Is it so the Australia’s evil rich folk can dodge tax forcing the poor to pay more? We don’t believe so. Family trusts are used to solve real financial problems in an efficient way. They offer several distinct advantages including: Providing corporate limited liability by using a company as trustee protecting assets from malicious litigation Protecting family assets from children’s gold digging partners Succession planning to allow business and other assets to seamlessly transfer from one spouse or generation to another Providing flow through…

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