Australia tax news
AskColm has 20 articles tagged Australia, drawn from over 130 tax sources. The most recent is dated 25 September 2026.
Showing the latest 20.
Australia Broadens Application of Software Royalties Treatment
Australia's Tax Office has issued new guidance that widens the range of circumstances in which cross-border software payments can be classified as royalties, making them subject to withholding tax.
Australian Bill Would Hone R&D Tax Credit To Newer Firms
Australia is considering legislation that would refocus its research and development tax incentive program toward newer and smaller firms. The proposed bill would tighten eligibility criteria, directing R&D tax credits away from large, established companies and toward early-stage businesses that…
Tasmanian Parliament Demands Fair GST Deal and Restoration of Fiscal Equalisation
The Tasmanian Parliament has passed a motion demanding a fairer distribution of GST revenue and the restoration of full horizontal fiscal equalisation principles in Australia's federal funding arrangements. Tasmania argues that recent changes to the GST distribution formula have disadvantaged…
Australia Floats Bill For 30% Min. Tax On Discretionary Trusts
Australia has introduced legislation proposing a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts, targeting income distributed to beneficiaries. The bill aims to close tax minimization strategies commonly used by high-net-worth individuals and family trusts that distribute income to lower-tax-rate beneficiaries. This…
Australia Imposes Digital Advertising Levy to Push Tech Deals with Local News
Australia has introduced a digital advertising levy targeting major technology platforms, designed to pressure them into striking commercial deals with local news publishers. The levy functions as a financial mechanism to redistribute revenue from digital advertising toward domestic journalism. This…
Australia Introduces 2.75% Digital Advertising Levy
Australia is introducing a 2.75% digital advertising levy targeting large digital platforms, forming part of the News Media Bargaining framework. The levy applies to revenue generated from digital advertising by major technology companies operating in Australia, representing a significant policy…
Ex-ATO boss accused of dodging tax while at KPMG
A former Australian Taxation Office (ATO) commissioner has been accused of tax avoidance during his tenure at KPMG. The allegations against the ex-ATO chief raise significant questions about compliance and ethical conduct, particularly given his prior role as head of…
Albanese Vows No Change to WA’s GST Deal Despite Overhaul Push
Australian Prime Minister Albanese has pledged to maintain Western Australia's existing GST distribution deal despite growing pressure from other states and advocacy groups pushing for an overhaul of the formula. The current arrangement, secured in 2018, guarantees WA a floor…
Australia passes law to levy tech giants that fail to pay for local news
Australia has passed legislation to levy technology companies that fail to compensate local news publishers for their content. The law reflects Australia's ongoing regulatory approach to the relationship between digital platforms and local media.
Australian CGDMTR Filing: Building a Repeatable Pillar Two Process with Direct ATO Transmission
Australia's Country-by-Country and Global Minimum Tax Data Report (CGDMTR) filing requirement introduces a direct transmission process to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for Pillar Two compliance. The article addresses how multinational enterprises can build a repeatable, efficient process for meeting…
Australia and New Zealand GST Guides: Rates, Registration and Filing Requirements
A comparative guide covering GST frameworks in Australia and New Zealand, detailing applicable rates, registration thresholds, filing frequencies, and compliance requirements for domestic and foreign businesses. Australia's 10% GST and New Zealand's 15% GST systems are outlined, including rules for…
Amazon Australia vs Shopify: When to Register for GST in Australia
This article examines GST registration obligations in Australia for sellers using Amazon Australia and Shopify platforms. It covers the threshold requirements for foreign and domestic businesses, the marketplace facilitator rules under which Amazon collects and remits GST on behalf of…
Australia’s Federal Court Clarifies Loss Transfers
Australia's Federal Court has issued a ruling clarifying the rules around loss transfers within corporate groups. The decision provides guidance on the conditions under which losses can be transferred between entities, addressing technical requirements under Australian tax law. This ruling…
Australia Seeks Feedback On Extending Gains Tax Rules
Australia's government is seeking public feedback on a proposal to extend its capital gains tax rules, signaling a potential broadening of the CGT regime's scope. The consultation reflects ongoing tax policy development aimed at ensuring gains from a wider range…
ATO Publishes New Guidance on the Income Tax and GST Treatment of Renewable Energy Project Compensation Payments
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released new guidance clarifying the income tax and GST treatment of compensation payments received by landowners and communities affected by renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms. The guidance addresses whether such…
Aussies Seek Input On 30% Min. Tax For Discretionary Trusts
Australian authorities are seeking public consultation on a proposed 30% minimum tax rate applicable to discretionary trusts. The measure aims to ensure that income distributed through discretionary trusts is subject to a floor tax rate, closing perceived loopholes where beneficiaries…
Australia: Draft GST guidance issued on cross-border supplies
The Australian Taxation Office has issued draft GST guidance addressing cross-border supplies of goods and services. The guidance clarifies how Goods and Services Tax applies to transactions involving non-resident suppliers and Australian consumers, covering areas such as digital services, intangibles,…
Australia: Transfer of shares within corporate group not entitled to corporate reconstruction stamp duty relief (Queensland Court of Appeal decision)
The Queensland Court of Appeal ruled that an intra-group share transfer was not eligible for corporate reconstruction stamp duty relief under Queensland legislation. The court determined that the transferor and transferee were not 'group companies' at the time the transferor…
Orbitax Launches Australia Public CbC Reporting Solution
Orbitax has launched a dedicated solution to assist multinational enterprises in complying with Australia's public Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting requirements. Australia's public CbC regime mandates large multinationals to disclose tax and financial information on a country-by-country basis, enhancing transparency. The Orbitax…
Practical Guide – Australia GST and Customs Duties for Cross-Border E-Commerce Sellers
This practical guide covers Australia's GST and customs duty obligations for cross-border e-commerce sellers. It addresses the Low Value Imported Goods (LVIG) regime, which applies GST at 10% on goods valued at AUD 1,000 or below sold to Australian consumers,…