Intelligence

The Australian Government has released exposure draft legislation for a proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, effective from 1 July 2028. Trustees now face three strategic pathways: remain within the minimum tax regime, restructure using transitional rollover relief, or elect into the new excluded election trust (EET) regime with restricted distribution flexibility.

The Australian National Audit Office's recent review of the ATO's management of small business collectable debt reveals significant findings that will reshape how tax authorities approach debt recovery. With small business debt reaching $35.9 billion and the ATO accepting all eight recommendations for reform, advisers and business owners face a new landscape of firmer collection activity and heightened accountability. Understanding these changes and their implications for unpaid tax liabilities, director pe

The Australian Taxation Office has issued its final ruling on cross-border software payments, dramatically expanding what constitutes a royalty subject to withholding tax. With retroactive application to July 2021 and a broad interpretation of copyright law, multinational companies face significant compliance risks and potential exposure across software distribution, cloud services, and digital intermediation arrangements.

Australia's appeal to international businesses and investors is undeniable, but successful market entry requires strategic planning beyond identifying commercial opportunities. Understanding the interplay between corporate structure, taxation, employment obligations, and foreign investment regulations can determine whether an Australian venture thrives or faces costly restructuring down the line.

Victoria's Commercial and Industrial Property Tax represents a fundamental shift in how commercial and industrial properties are taxed, replacing traditional upfront stamp duty with an annual property tax after a 10-year transition period. Understanding how this new regime affects property valuations, financing arrangements, and long-term ownership costs is crucial for anyone involved in commercial or industrial real estate transactions.

'Hilton International Australia Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (No 2) [2026] FCA 1325' examines Part IVA's treatment of alternative postulates and the critical role of evidence in tax benefit analysis. The Federal Court's decision establishes that multiple reasonable alternatives may exist, and that a Part IVA scheme cannot serve as a valid counterfactual to another Part IVA scheme.