24/08/2026
The Federal Government has released further detail on its tax reform package, providing greater clarity on measures affecting small businesses, startups, and trust structures. These updates provide further clarity on the 2026–27 Federal Budget reforms, outlining how key measures will operate in practice, as set out in the Government’s tax reform implementation announcement and legislated […]
10/08/2026
Ahead of the Hospitality Real Estate Summit on 9 September 2026 in Melbourne, where SW Partner Tim Stillwell will join Matthew Elefanty from BSP Lawyers in a fireside chat on Hotels Under Pressure: Gaming, Tax & Governance Risk Across Australia — with a Victorian Lens, we look at the issues driving that conversation. Australia’s hotel […]
31/07/2026
SW has lodged a submission with Treasury (read here) on the proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, urging targeted changes to prevent ‘fixed’ commercial structures being swept in and to remove a punitive 60% double-tax on corporate beneficiaries. Introduction In the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Government announced a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, […]
27/07/2026
The Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) has released Revenue Ruling DA‑020v2, replacing the long-standing DA‑020 ruling on duty treatment for incorporated associations and amalgamations of incorporated associations. The new ruling took effect on 20 July 2026 and reflects the current legislative framework under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic) (AIR Act). While the practical […]
14/07/2026
In a significant shift in foreign investor taxation policy, the New South Wales Government has enacted legislation providing relief from foreign purchaser surcharge duty for certain build-to-rent (BTR) and retirement village projects. The measures form part of the Government’s broader housing supply strategy and are intended to encourage institutional investment in long-term rental accommodation and […]
23/06/2026
From 1 July 2026, Payday Super will be in force. Employers must pay super at the same time as salary and wages, replacing the previous quarterly regime. Contributions must be received by the employee’s super fund within 7 business days of payday. With Payday Super commencing on 1 July 2026, employers have limited time to […]
18/06/2026
On 10 June 2026, the ATO released draft ruling GSTR 2026/D1 (‘the ruling’) which is intended to replace GSTR 2017/1. The draft ruling provides updated guidance on determining when an overseas supplier is making cross-border supplies of services, digital products, or rights to an ‘Australian consumer’ and, therefore, making supplies connected with Australia for GST […]
17/06/2026
Following our earlier analysis of draft Taxation Determination TD 2025/D3, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has now finalised its guidance with the release of Taxation Determination TD 2026/3. The determination confirms the ATO’s view on when an ancillary fund ‘provides’ a benefit and provides further clarification on the role of legally binding commitments when assessing […]
12/06/2026
The High Court has now handed down its decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel, confirming the position for the taxpayer on Division 7A, unpaid present entitlements (UPEs), trust distributions, and private company loans. This is a landmark outcome for the taxpayer. The High Court has dismissed the Commissioner’s appeal, confirming that UPEs arising from […]
28/05/2026
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has upcoming reporting obligations for entities offering an employee share scheme (ESS). Find out how the Complete Tax Solutions Employee Share Scheme (CTS ESS Toolkit), our ATO-approved software, can help you meet these requirements efficiently and accurately. Upcoming ATO reporting obligations The ATO requires employers that issue shares or share […]