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Payroll Tax Harmonisation. Background. Consistency gradually eroded since 1971 Business faces higher compliance costs, in many cases with no benefit in terms of revenue for the community. Harmonisation - background. All states have been exploring opportunities
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Background • Consistency gradually eroded since 1971 • Business faces higher compliance costs, in many cases with no benefit in terms of revenue for the community
Harmonisation - background • All states have been exploring opportunities • NSW & Victoria harmonised on 1 July 2007 • Tasmania to join NSW/Vic on 1 July 2008
Harmonisation is not … • Aligned payroll tax rates • Aligned payroll tax thresholds
Harmonisation is … Consistency in…. • what is taxable • exemptions & rebates • rules for grouping • anti-avoidance provisions
Harmonisation could be … • One-stop shop payments • Single return forms • Single audits • Consistent software
Some of the main changes • Motor vehicle and accommodation allowances • Employee share acquisition schemes into the payroll tax net • Exemption of not-for-profit charities • Exemption of wages paid for maternity and adoption leave • Grouping provisions • Introduction of tracing provisions
Allowances Alignment of vehicle and accommodation allowances with FBT • Claim the ATO’s large car rate • Claim the lowest capital city rate for the lowest salary band
Employee Share Acquisition Schemes • Currently outside payroll tax net in Tasmania • The grant of a share or option to an employee or director will constitute wages
Exemptions • Wages paid to employees of not-for-profit organisations having wholly charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purposes, engaged exclusively in that kind of work, will be exempt • Wages paid in respect of maternity or adoption leave will be exempt
Grouping Provisions • Test for grouping through the inter-use of employees is being expanded • Expanded test will capture quasi-outsourcing arrangements • Commissioner’s discretion to de-group will remain
Tracing Provisions • Prevents the avoidance of payroll tax grouping through the use of corporate structures • Determines a ‘controlling interest’ by examining direct and indirect interests.
August 07 Sept - Nov 07 November 07 Jan - Jun 08 July 08 Timetable Govt approval to proceed Draft new PTX legislation Parliamentary approval of new legislation Taxpayer education campaign Harmonised model applies
Education program • Web Site updates • Media Campaign • Update of relevant SRO Publications • Client mail outs and communications with peak bodies
Useful links • NSW legislation: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au • Victorian legislation: http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au