Our latest insights

As we approach the end of FY23 what are the key areas preparers of financial statements need to consider? Preparers of financial statements will breathe a sigh of relief to know there are no major changes to accounting standards applicable for FY23, however there are some amendments to existing standards to think about ahead of year end, as well as some on the horizon where early adoption may be worth considering.

To support the Australian Government’s objective of doubling philanthropy by 2030, a Productivity Commission inquiry has been set up to analyse motivations for philanthropic giving in Australia and identify opportunities for future growth. Grant Thornton Australia will be making a submission centred around our observations on this matter. Our submission will include considerations on the Deductible Gift Recipient and broader tax framework, the operation of Ancillary Funds, fundraising laws and other related matters.

Australia has commenced its implementation of Tranche 2 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) reforms, presenting an opportunity to shape the scope and nature of obligations for your industry.

Improvements are needed for Government changes to Thin Capitalisation regime’s Exposure Draft (ED) legislation which will apply mainly to multinationals with high interest deductions for income years commencing on or after 1 July 2023. Grant Thornton have identified a number of areas of interest in submissions to Government which reflect our analysis and include the views of our affected clients and their bankers and lawyers.

The Government has released anti-avoidance measures, which from 1 July 2023 will deny tax deductions to Australian Significant Global Entities (SGEs) in respect of payments for intangible assets to related party offshore group entities in low tax jurisdictions.

The ATO has recently released guidance to assist in determining the application of the FBT exemption for EVs. There is some helpful clarification provided, but a few other areas remain ambiguous. Here are some of the highlights.

On 16 March 2023 the Federal Government released its Exposure Draft (ED) legislation, which was first announced as part of its October 2022 Federal Budget Thin Capitalisation measures.

The Security of Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program Rules (CIRMP) commenced on 17 February 2023 and was signed off by The Minister for Home Affairs the Hon Clare O’Neil MP (the Minister). This marks the beginning of the six-month transition period for responsible entities to adopt a written CIRMP.

Are you up to date on your TPAR obligations? The Australian Taxation Office has begun to actively issue failure to lodge penalties for businesses who are behind on their TPAR lodgements.

On 16 March 2023 the Federal Government released its Exposure Draft (ED) legislation giving effect to its October 2022 Federal Budget thin capitalisation measures, which will apply mainly to multinationals with high interest deductions for income years commencing on or after 1 July 2023.

Real Estate and Construction (RE&C) companies are continuously looking for ways to innovate, optimise processes, remain competitive and ease the pressure. To incentivise innovation activities onshore, the Federal Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI), Australia’s flagship innovation program, is available to support businesses across all industries undertake research and development (R&D) activities.

From 1 April 2023, private sector, government-owned corporations and local government contracts valued at $3m or more (excl. GST) become subject to the Project Trust Account (PTA) regime. The threshold further drops for these valued to $1m from 1 October 2023. Organisations impacted by the requirement to operate PTAs on each project they undertake need to prepare for the additional regulatory compliance required, as well as the cashflow implications of restricted access to progress claim receipts and subcontractor retention monies after the relevant commencement date.