Budget 2026-27: at a glance On Tuesday 12 May 2026 the Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the 2026-27 Federal Budget, framing some of the more significant announcements as part of a broader plan to help young Australians access the property market. While acknowledging that the key to housing affordability is supply, the Government clearly sees changes to negative gearing and…
FBT
The ATO Targets FBT on Work Vehicles: Don’t Let Assumptions Cost You
The ATO is turning up the heat on employers who provide work vehicles for private use. Sophisticated data-matching means assumptions and shortcuts can quickly lead to audits, penalties, interest charges—and even reputational damage. You can see the latest ATO FBT audit warning here: Misreporting FBT on personal use of work vehicles | Australian Taxation Office If you provide vehicles to…
A Wake-Up Call for Family Businesses on Fringe Benefits Tax
As Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) lodgement season approaches, family businesses should carefully review the perks they provide to working directors and family members. A high-profile case involving luxury vehicles provided to three brothers who run a large business empire through a discretionary trust highlights the complexities — and potential risks — of informal arrangements. While the case initially appeared to…
Electric Car Discounts Under Review: What It Means for Your Business (and What You Should Do Now)
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice. By late 2025, they account for more than 8% of new car sales in Australia, driven in no small part by generous tax incentives. One of the most significant is the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount, introduced in mid-2022. For many businesses and employees, it has materially reduced the cost of…
FBT 2025: What you need to know
The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year ends on 31 March. We’ve outlined the hot spots for employers and employees. FBT exemption for electric cars Employers that provide employees with the use of eligible electric vehicles (EVs) can potentially qualify for an FBT exemption. This should normally be the case where: Plug-in hybrid vehicles no longer FBT exempt From 1 April…
Tax and Tinsel Q&As
Can you avoid giving the Australian Tax Office a gift this Christmas? The top Christmas party questions What can I do to make the staff Christmas party tax deductible or tax-free? Not have one? Ok, seriously, it’s likely that you will pay tax one way or another; it’s just a question of how. If you structure your celebrations to avoid…
The Fringe Benefit Tax traps
The Fringe Benefits Tax year (FBT) ends on 31 March. We explore the problem areas likely to attract the ATO’s attention. Electric vehicles causing sparks In late 2022, the Government introduced a concession that enables employers to provide some electric vehicles to employees without incurring the 47% fringe benefits tax (FBT) on private use. The exemption applies to the…
Bah humbug: The Christmas tax dilemma
Don’t want to pay tax on Christmas? Here are our top tips to avoid giving the Australian Tax Office a bonus this festive season. 1. Keep team gifts spontaneous $300 is the minor benefit threshold for FBT so anything at or above this level will mean that your Christmas generosity will result in a gift to the ATO at a…
How Does Tax Apply to Electric Cars?
Just in time for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year that started on 1 April, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released new details on electric vehicles. The FBT exemption for electric cars If your employer provides you with the use of a car that is classified as a zero or low emissions vehicle there is an FBT exemption that…
