Question:
Can’t claim $20k loss: Share trading not a business
Answer:
Recent changes are outlined below:
July 1, 2022
- Loss carry back for eligible companies extended to cover 2023 income year.
- Professional firm profits diverted to the professional's spouse or other associates to be reviewed under new Tax Office guidance.
- Corporate collective investment vehicle legislative regime introduced.
- Temporary full expensing of depreciating assets extended to include 2023 income year.
- Depreciable assets of a company joining a tax consolidation group have tax costs setting rules modified for assets depreciated under temporary full expensing rules.
December 9, 2021
- Reduced Pandemic leave disaster payment of $750 per week made available through to 30 June 2022.
August 5, 2021
- COVID-19 Disaster Payments are non-assessable non-exempt income in 2021 income year and later. Payments phasing out as vaccination rates increase.
July 1, 2021
- New Investment Engagement Service launched for businesses planning significant new investments in Australia.
- Tax Office small business independent review service made permanent for businesses with turnover < $10m, for income tax, GST, exercise, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax and fuel tax credits. Requested before amended assessment issued.
- Small business income tax offset for individuals increased to provide a reduction of 16% for a tax payable up to $1,000.
- Self-managed superannuation funds can now have six members, increased from four members previously.
July 1, 2021
- Some COVID -19 state and territory business grants received by small and medium enterprises are non-assessable, non-exempt income for 2021 and 2022 income years.
- Certain state, territory and local government financial support for individuals and businesses suffering COVID-19 impacts made exempt where businesses have turnover less than $50 million and only in eligible programs.
March 31, 2021
- JobKeeper payments scheme ended.
October 5, 2020
- Boosting apprenticeship commencements subsidy (up to 50% of apprentice's wages) is assessable income.
June 4, 2020
- Homebuilder grant for new home or substantial renovation construction is not subject to income tax.
April 1, 2020
- COVID-19 cash flow boost payments are not subject to income tax
In a tough decision, the Tribunal has refused a $20k deduction for losses in share trading activities for a casual childcare educator in the 2011 tax year (Devi v FCT [2016 AATA 67]).
In that year, the taxpayer earned $40k in childcare wages working between 25 and 30 hours per week and commenced trading shares using $60k of savings and a $40k margin loan.
71 purchases of bank, mining and smaller company shares were made to a value of $380k. 37 sales to a value of $315k were made. Most transactions took place in the first half of the year.
The Tribunal did not accept that Ms Devi spent between 15 and 25 hours per week on share trading and determined that she did not carry on a business as a share trader even though the turnover was substantial, particularly in comparison to her wages, and the fact that a home office was maintained for the share trading purpose.
The Tribunal said the factors against the carrying on of a share trading business were:
- Transactions were not regularly nor systematically undertaken;
- The activities were basic and unsophisticated;
- There was no demonstrated pattern of trading; and
- Ms Devi had no skills or experience in share trading.
Andrew and Tony Lovett
15 February 2016
