Tax season is approaching, and with the ATO continuing to expand its data matching capabilities and compliance activity, individuals and business owners alike are under increasing scrutiny.
From working from home deductions and rental property claims to payroll reporting and side hustle income, the ATO is paying closer attention to areas where errors and incorrect reporting commonly occur.
Understanding what the ATO is focusing on this year can help you avoid unnecessary issues, ensure your records are accurate and put you in a stronger position come lodgement time.
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Working from home deductions continue to be one of the ATO’s biggest focus areas this tax season.
While many Australians still work remotely or in hybrid arrangements, the ATO is paying close attention to how deductions are calculated and whether taxpayers have appropriate records to support their claims.
This includes:
The ATO has repeatedly flagged concerns around inflated claims and insufficient documentation, making accurate record keeping more important than ever.
Rental properties remain a significant compliance focus due to the high number of mistakes made each year.
Common issues the ATO continues to monitor include:
Many property owners are unaware that certain expenses must be claimed over time rather than immediately, which can lead to unintentional errors. If you own an investment property, it’s always a good idea to review your deductions carefully before lodging your return.
The rise of side hustles, freelancing and online selling has increased the ATO’s focus on undeclared income.
Additional income can come through:
It’s important to understand that many platforms now share data directly with the ATO. A common misconception is that smaller or casual income streams do not need to be declared. However, if income has been earned, it may still need to be reported depending on the nature of the activity.
Cryptocurrency and investment reporting continue to create confusion for many taxpayers. The ATO is increasing its use of data matching to monitor crypto transactions, investment income and capital gains events. Tax obligations can arise even if assets have not been converted back into cash.
Areas commonly misunderstood include:
With investment activity becoming more common, ensuring your transactions are properly recorded and reported is increasingly important.
For business owners, the instant asset write-off remains one of the most discussed EOFY measures. For the 2025–26 financial year, eligible small businesses (those with an aggregated turnover under $10 million) can immediately deduct the full cost of qualifying assets costing less than $20,000 each rather than depreciating them over several years. The $20,000 threshold applies per asset, so multiple assets can potentially be written off and the limit is GST-exclusive if you’re registered for GST.
A few points that regularly trip people up:
Rushed EOFY purchases without proper planning can sometimes create cash flow pressure or unexpected tax outcomes. Before making significant business purchases, it’s worth reviewing whether the investment aligns with both your operational needs and broader tax strategy.
The ATO continues to strengthen payroll reporting requirements through Single Touch Payroll (STP) and increased employer compliance reviews.
This tax season, businesses should pay close attention to:
It’s also worth noting that Payday Super commences from 1 July 2026, requiring employers to pay super on or before each payday. This is one of the ATO’s active monitoring areas this year, and many small businesses are still adjusting to the change. Getting this right early will save you from unnecessary penalties down the track.
Misclassifying workers or failing to meet super obligations can expose businesses to penalties, back payments and additional compliance reviews. With payroll data now reported in real time, errors are far easier for the ATO to identify.
The ATO has significantly increased its debt recovery activity over the past 12 months, particularly for small businesses with overdue tax obligations.
Businesses with outstanding BAS, PAYG or superannuation liabilities may face:
In addition, effective 1 July 2025 the General Interest Charges and Shortfall Interest Charge are no longer tax deductible. For many businesses, proactive communication and early planning are critical to managing tax obligations effectively. Ignoring tax debt rarely improves the situation and can limit future lending and growth opportunities.
While the ATO’s compliance activity continues to increase, the best approach is preparation rather than panic.
Keeping accurate records, reviewing deductions carefully and seeking advice early can help reduce risk and improve your overall tax position. Tax season is also a valuable opportunity to review your broader financial position, business structure and future tax planning strategies.
If you’d like support preparing for tax season or understanding how these focus areas may affect you or your business, our team at Carbon Accounting & Tax is here to help.
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