small business accounting newsletter | 2012 | Federal Budget Newsletter

Federal Budget Newsletter

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Funding to Target Tax Debts

The Government announced that it will provide $106 million over four years to the ATO to improve the management of outstanding taxation debts and superannuation guarantee charge.

Personal Tax Rates Residents

The Government did not make any changes to the currently legislated tax rates for residents that are to apply from 1 July 2012.

Contributions Cap for over 50s

The proposed higher concessional contributions cap for individuals aged 50 and over with superannuation balances below $500,000 will be deferred from 1 July 2012 to 1 July 2014.

GST Compliance Program

The Government is to provide $193.3 million to the ATO in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 to continue to promote voluntary GST compliance.

Work-related Expenses Standard Deduction Dropped

The Government announced that it will not proceed with the 2010–2011 Budget announcement to allow a standard tax deduction for work-related expenses and the cost of managing tax affairs which was due to commence on 1 July 2013.

Interest Income Discount Not to Proceed

The Government announced that it will not proceed with the 2010–2011 Budget announcement for a 50% discount for interest income which was due to commence on 1 July 2013.

Schoolkids Bonus

In the lead-up to the Budget, the Prime Minister announced that the Government will make a new, no-strings cash payment, called the Schoolkids Bonus, to certain families with children at school.

Flood Levy Further Exemptions

The Treasurer confirmed in the Budget that people who suffered flood damage in 2012 will also be made exempt from the flood and cyclone levy that applies for the 2011–2012 financial year only.

Company Tax Cut Proposal Shelved

The Treasurer announced that the proposed reduction in the company tax rate to 29% will not proceed. The reason given by the Treasurer was that it had become clear that the proposed tax rate cut would not be approved by Parliament.

Tax Loss Carry-back Regime Confirmed

The Treasurer confirmed the Government will allow businesses to carry-back losses. Mr Swan said the proposed changes would “allow businesses to ‘carry back’ their losses, to offset past profits and get a refund of tax previously paid on that profit”.

Super Contributions Tax Changes

From 1 July 2012, individuals with income greater than $300,000 will have the tax concession on their concessional contributions reduced from 30% to 15% (excluding the Medicare levy).