Australia: Tax

The Federal Court of Australia has clarified the operation of section 707-145 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, determining that a head company's choice to cancel the transfer of tax losses must be made in relation to the joining year. The judgment in Evolution Mining Limited v Commissioner of Taxation provides critical guidance on the timing requirements for cancelling automatic loss transfers in consolidated groups, confirming that choices made in later income years are ineffective.

Recent Federal Budget tax reforms have prompted many Australians to consider relocating overseas, but the complexities of tax residency often lead to unintended consequences. Understanding the distinction between tax residency and immigration residency, along with dual-tax residency implications and recent tribunal determinations, is crucial for anyone planning an international move. Key considerations include how Australia determines tax residency, the role of Double Tax Agreements, and recent case law tha

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to significantly expand the foreign resident capital gains tax regime, broadening the definition of taxable Australian property to capture infrastructure...

The removal of the pre-CGT tax exemption from 1 July 2027 is driving increased interest in Members Voluntary Liquidations (MVL) as a tax-efficient exit strategy. This article examines how liquidator distributions...

The 2026 federal Budget introduced significant changes to capital gains tax, negative gearing, and discretionary family trusts that may impact your estate planning strategy.

In this edition of It depends, partners Scott Hay-Bartlem and Clinton Jackson bring the latest updates on the government's proposed tax on large super balances, including the introduction of indexation.

Separating couples often overlook the tax implications of property settlements, only to face unexpected capital gains tax liabilities years later when assets are sold. With the 2025 amendments to the Family Law Act fundamentally changing how uncrystallised CGT liabilities are treated, understanding the interplay between tax law and family law has become critical to preserving the real value of a settlement. This analysis examines how strategic tax structuring at the point of settlement—including CGT r

In our earlier article, we examined the Full Federal Court’s decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15, which rejected the ATO’s long-standing position that unpaid present entitlements (UPEs) owed to corporate beneficiaries could constitute “loans” for the purposes of Division 7A.

On Tuesday, 12 May 2026, the Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers, handed down the 2026–27 Federal Budget. The Federal Budget introduces the most significant tax reforms aimed at reshaping how income and wealth are taxed in Australia. The Government is seeking to rebalance the system by reducing tax on income from work and increasing tax on income from assets, and then using that difference to fund personal tax relief and influence housing behaviour.

The most significant shift in Australian tax enforcement is not tax rates, but the convergence of transparency, enforcement and foreign investment scrutiny – elevating tax into a first‑order governance and reputational risk for boards.

US technology, pharma, and life science companies establishing Australian subsidiaries to access R&D tax incentives face complex international tax challenges. When intercompany agreements are drafted without proper coordination between US transfer pricing rules and Australian R&D Tax Incentive requirements, companies risk significant IRS exposure including platform contribution payment obligations, cost reallocations, and penalties that can exceed the intended tax benefits.

Update on key developments in taxation law for accountants and participants in the tax advice industry up to mid-May.