Question:

Save Tax: Home mortgages and offset accounts

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.

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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

When interest on a housing loan is not deductible, it is unfair to have to pay tax on any interest received on savings. Banks have introduced mortgage offset accounts to stop this injustice. The bank does not have interest on the offset account, but the amount which might have been earned is effectively deducted from the interest charges on your home loan. The bank looks daily at the balance of your offset account when calculating the interest charged on your home loan. The Tax Office allows this procedure because no interest is received by or credited to the account of the borrower. There is simply a day by day arrangement of comparing the credit in the offset account with the debit in the loan account. Ask your bank manager about it.

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