Our latest insights

On 24 September 2025, the ATO released PCG 2025/3 (‘the PCG’), setting out its compliance approach to arrangements where capital is raised to fund franked distributions. This was after their consultation on the draft PCG.

Recent data from the Class Annual Benchmark Report 2025 reveals a powerful trend, which has seen Australians – especially younger generations – increasingly turning to Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) to take control of their financial futures.

From 2026, Victoria’s VRLT will apply to long-term undeveloped land in metro Melbourne, targeting land banking and encouraging residential development. The expansion follows 2025 reforms aimed at improving housing affordability and supply.

The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Tackling the Gender Super Gap) Bill 2025 presents the opportunity to evenly split superannuation balances amongst spouses.

The final amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Rules, published on 30 August 2025, introduce a series of structural and operational changes following extensive consultation by AUSTRAC and industry feedback.

The Federal Court’s 2025 decision in Charles Apartments Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation underscores the importance of substance over form, proper documentation, and income nexus in group financing arrangements under Australian tax law.

US tariffs 2025: Impact on Australian exports, trade strategy & customs review insights.

Mandatory sustainability reporting under AASB S2 will apply to Australian property and corporate entities meeting size thresholds from 2025, requiring disclosure of climate-related risks, emissions, and transition strategies. Early preparation is essential for compliance and to create long-term value.

The High Court of Australia has dismissed the Tax Commissioner’s (“the Commissioner”) appeals in FCT v PepsiCo, Inc [2025] HCA 30 (“PepsiCo”), ruling that payments made by Schweppes Australia to PepsiCo’s Australian subsidiary for concentrate did not constitute royalties, and that PepsiCo and Stokely‑Van Camp were not liable for royalty withholding tax or diverted profits tax for the 2018 and 2019 income years.

The Federal Court decision in Morton v Commissioner of Taxation [2025] FCA 336 (“the Morton case”) provides key guidance on the tax treatment of proceeds derived from land development arrangements. This is particularly relevant to landowners considering development partnerships with third-party developers.

APRA’s latest reforms are designed to make its banking framework more proportionate, supporting a more competitive banking environment and fostering innovation. For smaller and medium-sized banks, this could mean reduced compliance pressures and more scope to focus on customers and growth.

The ATO’s draft guidance PCG 2025/D4 tightens the rules on when cross-border software payments are treated as royalties and subject to withholding tax. Businesses paying offshore software providers will need to review their arrangements against the new risk framework to avoid increased scrutiny and compliance risks.