Federal Budget 2019-20 Update

Happy Budget!

Carbon Group has compiled this guide to the 2019-20 Federal Budget which was handed down last night by the Treasurer Mr Josh Frydenberg identifying the issues that are likely to affect our clients.

This report contains a highlights section (like the cheat sheet for an exam or a Shakespeare play – remember the “old School Days”) and the “nitty gritty details” for those who like to get down and dirty.

Carbon Group acknowledges both CPA Australia and Wolters Kluwer in the preparation of this report.

Enjoy!

BUDGET 2019-20 HIGHLIGHTS (Cheat Sheet)

The Federal Treasurer Mr Josh Frydenberg handed down the 2019-20 Federal Budget at 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019.

Mr Frydenberg said the Budget is “back in the black”, announcing a budget surplus of $7.1 billion, and forecasting a surplus of $11 billion in 2020-21, $17.8 billion in 2021-22 and

$9.2 billion in 2022-23. The Budget focuses on “restoring the nation’s finances”, further strengthening the economy to create more jobs and to “guarantee the essential services”.

The government proposes various changes to further lower individual taxes, including increasing the low and middle-income tax offset, and lowering the 32.5 per cent rate to 30 per cent in 2024-25. More businesses will have access to immediate deductions for asset purchases, with the expansion of the instant asset write-off to businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million.

The full Budget papers are available at budget.gov.au and the Treasury ministers’ media releases are available at ministers.treasury.gov.au

The Parliamentary Budget Office also released the report on Australia’s Ageing Population, which identifies a $36 billion deficit by 2028-29. This is larger than the projected cost of Medicare in that same year. The report notes that ageing is only one of many drivers of the future budget position.

The ATO has released taxation statistics 2016-17, which include data from tax returns and related schedules for the 2016–17 income year for individuals, companies, superannuation funds, partnerships and trusts.

The tax, superannuation and social security highlights are set out below.

Income tax

The legislated Personal Income Tax Plan will be changed to further lower taxes for individuals, including changes to the low and middle-income tax offset (LMITO), the low-income tax offset (LITO) and the personal income tax (PIT) rates and thresholds.

The instant asset write-off threshold for businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million will be increased to $30,000 for eligible assets that are first used, or installed ready for use, from 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Businesses with an aggregated turnover of $10 million or more but less than

$50 million will be able to immediately deduct purchases of eligible assets costing less than $30,000 that are first used, or installed ready for use, from 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 to 30 June 2020.

The Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families, seniors and pensioners will be increased from the 2018-19 income year.

Payments to primary producers in the Fassifern Valley, Queensland affected by storm damage in October 2018 will be treated as exempt income.

An income tax exemption will be provided for qualifying grants made to primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations affected by the North Queensland floods.

Six more organisations have been approved as specifically-listed deductible gift recipients.

The list of countries whose residents are eligible to access a reduced withholding tax rate of 15 per cent on certain distributions from Australian managed investment trusts (MITs) will be updated.

Tax integrity and black economy

Australian Business Number (ABN) holders will be required to lodge their income tax return and confirm the accuracy of their details on the Australian Business Register annually to retain their ABN status.

The start date of amendments to Div 7A will be delayed by 12 months to 1 July 2020.

Minor amendments will be made to the hybrid mismatch rules to clarify their operation from 2019.

The ATO’s Tax Avoidance Taskforce will extend its operations and expand its activities, including increasing its scrutiny of specialist tax advisors and intermediaries that promote tax avoidance schemes.

The ATO will receive funding to increase activities to recover unpaid tax and superannuation liabilities with a focus on large businesses and high wealth individuals.

A dedicated sham contracting unit will be established within the Fair Work Ombudsman to address sham contracting behaviour by some employers.

Superannuation

Members of regulated superannuation funds will not have to meet the work test after 1 July 2020 if they are 65 or 66 years of age.

The restrictions on claiming the spouse contribution tax offset will be eased from 1 July 2020, giving 70 to 74 year old spouses eligibility.

The calculation of exempt current pension income will be simplified for superannuation funds from 1 July 2020, allowing a preferred method of calculation and removal of some actuarial certificates.

Transitional tax relief for merging superannuation funds will become permanent from 1 July 2020.

SuperStream will be expanded from 31 March 2021 to include electronic ATO requests for release of superannuation funds and SMSF rollovers.

An expression of interest process will be undertaken to identify options to support establishment of a Superannuation Consumer Advocate.

Indirect taxes

For vehicles acquired on or after 1 July 2019, eligible primary producers and tourism operators will be able to apply for a refund of any luxury car tax paid, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Access to refunds of indirect tax, including GST, fuel and alcohol taxes under the Indirect Tax Concession Scheme has been granted or extended.

Social security

There will be a one-off Energy Assistance Payment of $75 for singles and

$62.50 for each member of a couple eligible for qualifying payments on 2 April 2019 and who are resident in Australia.

Single Touch Payroll reports lodged by employers will be shared with social security agencies from 1 July 2020.

Family Tax Benefit eligibility will be extended to the families of ABSTUDY (secondary) student recipients who are aged 16 years and over, and are required to live away from home to attend secondary school.

From 1 July 2019, net income generated from the forced sale of livestock will be exempted from the Farm Household Allowance payment assessment, when that income is invested into a farm management deposit. The HELP debt incurred for recognised teaching qualifications after teachers have been placed in very remote locations of Australia for four years (or part-time equivalent) will be extinguished. Indexation on HELP debts of all teachers while they are placed in very remote locations will no longer accrue from 14 February 2019.

BUDGET 2019-20 DETAILS (The Nitty Gritty)

INCOME TAX

Personal Income Tax Plan changed to further lower taxes

The legislated Personal Income Tax Plan (the Plan) will be changed to further lower taxes for individuals, including changes to the low and middle-income tax offset (LMITO), the low-income tax offset (LITO) and the personal income tax (PIT) rates and thresholds.

This measure will reduce revenue by $19.5 billion over the forward estimates period.

Immediate changes to LMITO

The LMITO will be changed such that the reduction in tax it provides will increase from a maximum amount of $530 to $1080 per annum, and the base amount will increase from $200 to $255 per annum for the 2018-19 to 2021-22 income years.

The LMITO will provide a reduction in tax of up to $255 for taxpayers with a taxable income of $37,000 or less. Between taxable incomes of $37,000 and $48,000, the value of the offset will increase at a rate of 7.5 cents per dollar to the maximum offset of $1080. Taxpayers with taxable incomes between $48,000 and $90,000 will be eligible for the maximum offset of $1080. From taxable incomes of $90,000 to $126,000 the offset will phase out at a rate of 3 cents per dollar.

The LMITO will be received after individuals lodge their 2018-19 tax returns and will continue to be provided in addition to the LITO.

Changes to 19 per cent PIT bracket and LITO from July 2022

From 1 July 2022, the top threshold of the 19 per cent PIT bracket will increase to

$45,000 (up from $41,000 as legislated under the Plan).

From 1 July 2022, the LITO will increase to $700 (up from $645 as legislated under the Plan). The increased LITO will be withdrawn at a rate of 5 cents per dollar between taxable incomes of $37,500 and $45,000 (instead of at 6.5 cents per dollar between taxable incomes of $37,000 and $41,000 as legislated under the Plan). The LITO will then be withdrawn at a rate of 1.5 cents per dollar between taxable incomes of $45,000 and $66,667.

Together, the increase to the top threshold of the 19 per cent PIT bracket and the changes to LITO will lock in the reduction in tax provided by the LMITO when the LMITO is removed.

Further changes to PIT rates and thresholds from July 2024

From 1 July 2024, the 32.5 per cent marginal tax rate will be reduced to 30 per cent. From 1 July 2024, the 37 per cent bracket will also be abolished (as legislated under the Plan).

Table: summary of changes to PIT rates and thresholds

Instant asset write-off threshold increased and expanded to medium sized businesses

The instant asset write-off threshold for small businesses (with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million) will be increased to $30,000 for eligible assets that are first used, or installed ready for use, from 7.30pm (AEDT) on 2 April 2019 (Budget night) to 30 June 2020.

The measure is estimated to reduce revenue by $400 million over the forward estimates period.

These proposed changes increase the threshold from $20,000 to $25,000 and extend it for an additional 12 months to 30 June 2020.

When legislated, small businesses will be able to immediately deduct purchases of assets costing less than $25,000 that are first used or installed ready for use over the period from 29 January 2019 until Budget night.

Medium sized businesses (with aggregated annual turnover of $10 million or more, but less than $50 million) will also be able to immediately deduct purchases of eligible assets costing less than $30,000 that are first used, or installed ready for use, from Budget night to 30 June 2020. These businesses must also have acquired these assets after Budget night to be eligible as they have previously not had access to the instant asset write off.

Medium sized businesses do not have access to the small business pooling rules and will instead continue to depreciate assets costing $30,000 or more (which cannot be immediately deducted) in accordance with the existing depreciating asset provisions in the tax law (Div 40 of ITAA 1997).

The changes proposed to the instant asset write-off thresholds are listed in the table below.

Instant asset write-off threshold

Medicare levy — low income thresholds to increase

The Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families, seniors and pensioners will be increased from the 2018-19 income year.

Income tax exemption for payments to QLD storm affected primary producers

Payments to primary producers in the Fassifern Valley, Queensland affected by storm damage in October 2018 will be treated as exempt income.

The tax treatment relates to payments distributed to affected taxpayers through a grant totalling $1 million to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, working with the Salvation Army and a local community panel.

Income tax exemption for North Queensland flood grants

An income tax exemption will be provided for qualifying grants made to primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations affected by the North Queensland floods.

Qualifying grants include Category C and Category D grants provided under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018, grants provided under the On-Farm Restocking and Replanting Grants Program, and the On- Farm Infrastructure Grants Program.

The exemption will apply where the grants relate to the monsoonal trough, which produced flooding that started on or after 25 January 2019 and continued into February 2019. The grants will be made non-assessable non-exempt income for tax purposes.

International tax — list of information exchange countries to be updated

The government will update the list of countries whose residents are eligible to access a reduced withholding tax rate of 15 per cent, instead of the default rate of 30 per cent, on certain distributions from Australian managed investment trusts (MITs). To be listed, countries must have established the legal relationship enabling them to share taxpayer information with Australia.

The updated list will be effective from 1 January 2020.

TAX INTEGRITY AND BLACK ECONOMY

Requirements for Australian Business Number holders to retain their status

To disrupt black economy behaviour, Australian Business Number (ABN) holders:

• with an income tax return obligation will be required to lodge their income tax return, from 1 July 2021;
• will be required to confirm the accuracy of their details on the Australian Business Register annually, from 1 July 2022.

The measure is estimated to have a gain to the budget of $22.2 million over the forward estimates period.

Currently, ABN holders are able to retain their ABN regardless of whether they are meeting their income tax return lodgement obligation or the obligation to update their ABN details.

Further consultation to Div 7A amendments; reforms delayed again

The start date of amendments to Div 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 will be delayed by 12 months to 1 July 2020. The proposed amendments announced in the 2018 and 2016 Federal Budgets will undergo further consultation with stakeholders following feedback from stakeholders to a consultation paper issued in October 2018.

The amendments in the consultation paper included replacing the existing seven-year and 25-year model with a single 10-year model without a requirement for a formal written loan agreement and clarification as to when unpaid present entitlements come within the scope of Div 7A.

Tax integrity — clarifying the operation of the hybrid mismatch rules

Minor amendments will be made to the hybrid mismatch rules to clarify their operation. The hybrid mismatch rules are intended to prevent multinational corporations from exploiting differences in the tax treatment of an entity or instrument under the laws of two or more tax jurisdictions.

Amendments will be made to stipulate how the rules apply to multiple entry consolidated (MEC) groups and trusts, and to limit the meaning of foreign tax, for income years commencing on or after 1 January 2019.

Amendments will also be made to specify that the integrity rule can apply where other provisions have applied for income years commencing on or after 2 April 2019.

Tax integrity — extension and expansion of Tax Avoidance Taskforce

The ATO will be provided with $10 billion over four years to extend the operation of the Tax Avoidance Taskforce and to expand the Taskforce’s programs and market coverage.

The Taskforce undertakes compliance activities targeting multinationals, large public and private groups, trusts and high wealth individuals. It will use the additional funding to expand these activities, including increasing its scrutiny of specialist tax advisors and intermediaries that promote tax avoidance schemes and strategies.

This measure is estimated to have a gain to the budget of $3.6 billion over the forward estimates period.

Tax integrity — ATO to focus on recovery of tax and super from large businesses

The ATO will receive additional funding to increase activities to recover unpaid tax and superannuation liabilities. These activities will focus on larger businesses and high wealth individuals to ensure on-time payment of their tax and superannuation liabilities. The measure will not extend to small businesses.

Sham contracting unit to be established

A dedicated sham contracting unit will be established within the Fair Work Ombudsman to address sham contracting behaviour engaged in by some employers, particularly those who knowingly or recklessly misrepresent employment relationships as independent contracts to avoid statutory obligations such as superannuation guarantee and other employment entitlements.

SUPERANNUATION

Acceptance of superannuation contributions allowed for 65 and 66-year olds

Members of regulated superannuation funds have zero restrictions for making voluntary contributions prior to reaching 65 years of age. From 1 July 2020 the government intends to increase this age limit and allow 65 and 66 year olds to contribute.

Under the current SIS Regulations, members over 65 years of age must declare they have met the work test. This self-reported declaration must state that the member has worked for 40 or more hours in any 30 consecutive day period during that financial year.

The changes to the contribution rules apply to both concessional and non-concessional contributions. As no restrictions will apply for 65 and 66 year olds, this also means the three-year “bring-forward” contributions will be allowed. Therefore, more members will be entitled to make up to three years of non-concessional contributions in one financial year.

Spouse contribution tax offset eligibility extended

Restrictions relating to an individual claiming a spouse contribution tax offset are proposed to be reduced from 1 July 2020. The easing of the rules is by giving spouses aged 70 to 74 eligibility if they meet the work test. Also, in line with other budget measures, spouses aged 65 and 66 will not need to meet the work test at all.

Although eligibility criteria has been extended for some spouses, there is no change announced to the:

• amount of the offset income;
• limits of the spouse;
• restrictions relating to the spouse’s contributions caps;
• non-refundable attribute of the offset itself.

Exempt current pension income calculation streamlined for super funds

Superannuation fund trustees will be allowed to calculate exempt current pension income (ECPI) on a preferred method basis from 1 July 2020.

Currently, some superannuation funds have a restriction on whether they can use the segregated method or proportionate method when calculating the ECPI. Also, funds which stop using the segregated method in an income year cannot go back to using it. From the 2020-21 financial year, all superannuation funds have the option to choose a preferred method of calculation.

Also, from 1 July 2020, an actuarial certificate will not be required for superannuation funds which have solely retirement phase accounts.

Merging super funds to have permanent tax relief

Since December 2008, tax relief has been available for qualifying superannuation funds that have merged. This allowed a deferral of capital gains or losses, similar to other scrip-for-scrip rollovers.

This tax relief will be made permanent from 1 July 2020, which moves the rules from the Income Tax (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

SuperStream to be expanded

SuperStream will be expanded to include the transfer of information and money between employers, superannuation funds and the ATO. This change will take effect from 31 March 2021.

From 31 March 2021, the ATO will have the ability to send electronic requests via SuperStream to superannuation funds for the release of money from a member’s account. A number of superannuation payment arrangements may be affected.

To coincide with this change, SMSF rollovers in SuperStream will be delayed until 31 March 2021 as well.

Superannuation Consumer Advocate

The government will undertake an expression of interest (EOI) process to identify options to support the establishment of a Superannuation Consumer Advocate.

This EOI would assist the government in understanding whether the advocate would be necessary, as well as whether industry bodies have capacity to assist in the role. The Advocate would assist in superannuation policy discussions by acting on behalf of superannuation consumers (or members). Additionally, the Advocate would be given financial assistance to be a leader in the superannuation system by providing education and assistance to members as they navigate the superannuation system.

INDIRECT TAXES

Increased luxury car tax refunds for primary producers and tourism operators

Luxury car tax refund arrangements will be amended to provide further relief to farmers and tourism operators.

For vehicles acquired on or after 1 July 2019, eligible primary producers and tourism operators will be able to apply for a refund of any luxury car tax paid, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Access to Indirect Tax Concession Scheme granted or extended

Access to refunds of indirect tax, including GST, fuel and alcohol taxes under the Indirect Tax Concession Scheme (ITCS) has been granted to selected diplomatic, consular and international organisations with effect from a time specified by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Energy Assistance Payment

There will be a one-off Energy Assistance Payment of $75 for singles and $62.50 for each member of a couple eligible for qualifying payments on 2 April 2019 and who are resident in Australia.

Qualifying payments are the Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment Single, the Veterans’ Service Pension and the Veterans’ Income Support Supplement, Veterans’ disability payments, War Widow(er)s Pension, and permanent impairment payments under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (including dependent partners) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

This measure builds on the 2017-18 Budget measure “Energy Assistance Payment”.

Social security payments reporting to be verified by Single Touch Payroll

Individuals who receive income support payments from the Department of Human Services (DHS) will have their reported income matched with Single Touch Payroll (STP) reports from 1 July 2020. Under this arrangement, DHS will be able to verify on a more frequent basis the ability for the recipient to make a claim.

Family Tax Benefit extended to ABSTUDY students away from home

Family Tax Benefit eligibility will be extended to the families of ABSTUDY (secondary) student recipients who are aged 16 years and over, and are required to live away from home to attend secondary school.

The measure aims to improve access to secondary education for indigenous Australians to help reduce the gap in outcomes between indigenous and non- indigenous Australians in high school completion.

Income from forced sale of livestock invested into farm management deposit

From 1 July 2019, net income generated from the forced sale of livestock will be exempted from Farm Household Allowance (FHA) payment assessment, when that income is invested into a farm management deposit.

The measure is to ensure that FHA recipients who are destocking retain access to income support and are able to make long-term financial plans for their future.

HELP debt for teachers in remote communities to be extinguished

To encourage teachers to work in remote communities, the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt incurred for recognised teaching qualifications after teachers have been placed in very remote locations of Australia for four years (or part time equivalent) will be extinguished. To be eligible, the four-year placement must commence on or after the start of the 2019 school year.

Additionally, from 14 February 2019 indexation will no longer accrue on the HELP debts of all teachers while they are placed in very remote locations.

These measures form part of the Indigenous Youth Education Package for the government’s initiative, Closing the Gap refresh.

OTHER

Increased analytical capabilities for the ATO

The Government will provide $70 million over two years from 2018-19 to undertake preparatory work required for the Australian Taxation Office to migrate from its existing data centre provider to an alternative data centre facility.

Funding for GovPass – Trusted digital identity

The Government will provide $67.1 million in 2019-20, including $33.3 million to the ATO, to continue the development of the GovPass Program. GovPass enables the creation of a digital identity for Australian citizens which will allow them to access government services online. This funding will support the continued development of the underlying infrastructure of the system and roll out pilot programs that commenced in 2018-19, and will support further analysis of the requirements for the full rollout of GovPass

Supporting small businesses with tax disputes

The Government will provide $57.5 million over five years from 2018-19 to the Department of Jobs and Small Business, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to provide access to a fast, low cost, independent review mechanism for small businesses in dispute with the ATO.

The measure came into effect on 1 March 2019.

This measure includes $1.4 million in revenue from application fees for the review of decisions by the AAT.

Expansion of Single Touch Payroll

The Government will provide $82.4 million over four years from 2019-20 to the ATO and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to support the expansion of the data collected through Single Touch Payroll (STP) by the ATO and the use of this data by Commonwealth agencies.

STP data will be expanded to include more information about gross pay amounts and other details. These changes will reduce the compliance burden for employers and individuals reporting information to multiple Government agencies.

CONTACT US

Having made your way through our budget update if you have any concerns, our friendly staff would love to help. Please email info@carbongroup.com.au or give one of our offices a call:

Brisbane:  (07) 3910 6200  Bundaberg:  (07) 4153 3444   Gympie:(07) 5482 1533