2024-25 Federal Budget Highlights
Binghay Co • May 15, 2024
The Federal Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers, handed down the 2024–25 Federal Budget at 7:30 pm (AEST) on 14 May 2024.
Described as a “responsible Budget that helps people under pressure today”, the Treasurer has forecast a second consecutive surplus of $9.3 billion. The main priorities of the government, as reflected in the Budget, are helping with the cost of living, building more housing, investing in skills and education,strengthening Medicare and responsible economic management to help fight inflation.
The key tax measures announced in the Budget include extending the $20,000 instant asset write-off for eligible businesses by 12 months until 30 June 2025, introducing tax incentives for hydrogen production and critical minerals production, strengthening foreign resident CGT rules and penalising multinationals that seek to avoid paying Australian royalty withholding tax.
The Budget also includes various amendments to previously announced measures, as well as a number of income tax measures that have already been enacted prior to the Budget announcement, including:
- The revised stage 3 personal income tax cuts (enacted by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Act 2024 (Act No 3 of 2024)).
- Medicare levy and surcharge threshold changes (enacted by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living—Medicare Levy) Act 2024 (Act No 4 of 2024)).
- A specific exemption for Australian plantation forestry entities from the new earnings-based rules introduced as part of thin capitalisation reforms (enacted by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Multinationals Pay Their Fair Share—Integrity and Transparency) Act 2024 (Act No 23 of 2024)).
These enacted measures have not been discussed in detail in this report.
The government anticipates that the tax measures put forward will collectively improve the Budget position by $3.1 billion over a 5-year period to 2027–28.
The full Budget papers and the Treasury ministers’ media releases are available on-line.
The tax, superannuation and social security highlights are set out below.
Income Tax
- The instant asset write-off threshold of $20,000 for small businesses applying the simplified depreciation rules will be extended for 12 months until 30 June 2025.
- The foreign resident CGT regime will be strengthened for CGT events commencing on or after 1 July 2025.
- A critical minerals production tax incentive will be available from 2027–28 to 2040–41 to support downstream refining and processing of critical minerals.
- A hydrogen production tax incentive will be available from 2027–28 to 2040–41 to producers of renewable hydrogen.
- The minimum length requirements for content and the above-the-line cap of 20% for total qualifying production expenditure for the producer tax offset will be removed.
- A new penalty will be introduced from 1 July 2026 for taxpayers who are part of a group with more than $1 billion in annual global turnover that are found to have mischaracterised or undervalued royalty payments.
- The Labor government’s 2022–23 Budget measure to deny deductions for payments relating to intangibles held in low- or no-tax jurisdictions is being discontinued.
- The start date of a 2023–24 Budget measure to expand the scope of the Pt IVA general anti-avoidance rule will be deferred to income years commencing on or after assent of enabling legislation.
- Income tax exemptions for World Rugby and/or related entities for income derived in relation to the Rugby World Cup 2027 (men’s) and Rugby World Cup 2029 (women’s).
- Deductible gift recipients list to be updated.
Social Security
- Social security deeming rates will be frozen at their current levels for a further 12 months until 30 June 2025.
- Carer payment recipients will have greater flexibility with their participation requirements.
- Eligibility for the higher rate of Jobseeker payment will be extended to single recipients with a partial capacity to work of zero to 14 hours per week.
- The maximum rates of the Commonwealth Rent Assistance will increase by 10% from 20September 2024.
- Funding will be provided to implement a social security means test treatment for military invalidity payments affected by the Full Federal Court’s decision of FC of T v Douglas 2020 ATC ¶20-773; [2020] FCAFC 220.
- Funding will be provided to enable Australia to enter into a bilateral social security agreement with Uruguay.
- Foreign investors will be allowed to purchase established build-to-rent properties with a lower foreign investment fee.
Superannuation
- Superannuation will be paid on government-funded paid parental leave (PPL) for parents of babies born or adopted on or after 1 July 2025.
- The Fair Entitlements Guarantee Recovery Program will be recalibrated to pursue unpaid superannuation entitlements owed by employers in liquidation or bankruptcy from 1 July 2024.
Tax Administration
- The ATO will be given a statutory discretion to not use a taxpayer’s refund to offset old tax debts on hold.
- Indexation of the Higher Education Loan Program (and other student loans) debt will be limited to the lower of either the Consumer Price Index or the Wage Price Index, effective from 1 June 2023.
- A pilot program of matching income and employment data of migrant workers will be conducted between the Department of Home Affairs and the ATO.
- A new ATO compliance taskforce will be established to recover tax revenue lost to fraud while existing compliance programs will be extended.
- The ATO will have additional time to notify a taxpayer if it intends to retain a business activity statement refund for further investigation.
- The 2019–20 Budget measure “Black Economy — Strengthening the Australian Business Number system” will not proceed.
GST
- Refunds of indirect tax (including GST, fuel and alcohol taxes) will be extended under the Indirect Tax Concession Scheme.
Excise and Customs Duty
- Tariffs identified as a nuisance across a range of imported goods will be removed from 1 July 2024.
- The start dates for certain components of a measure to streamline excise administration for fuel and alcohol announced in the Coalition government’s 2022–23 Budget will be deferred.
Get in touch to discuss how the Budget announcements impact you.
If you want to learn more about this topic and how we can help your business, contact us to set up a FREE consultation so we can get started.
Binghay & Co are Accountants & Business Advisors located in Docklands, Melbourne.
The new financial year is already in full swing, meaning most of you are still finalising your general ledger accounts in order to get the necessary information to us to prepare your final 2024 accounts and tax returns. Others have already got us your information and are looking ahead. Either way, it can be a time when we forget our current tax obligations, due in relation to the beginning of the 2025 financial year. In order for you to be across your tax obligations, below are the key compliance dates that are coming up. Make sure these lodgments are up to date to avoid any interest or penalties. KEY TAX DATES – SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 21 September 2024 – GST – Monthly Activity Statement and payment for August 2024 21 September 2024 – PAYG withheld – Monthly activity statement and payment for August 2024 21 September 2024 – PAYG instalment – Activity Statement and payment for monthly reporters for August 2024 30 September 2024 – TFN withholding report – Annual TFN withholding report for closely held trusts where a trustee has been required to withhold amounts from payments to beneficiaries during the 2024 income year 30 September 2024 – PAYG withholding payment summary – 2024 income year annual report due if lodged by us 21 October 2024 – GST – Monthly Activity Statement and payment for September 2024 21 October 2024 – PAYG withheld – Monthly activity statement and payment for September 2024 21 October 2024 – PAYG instalment – Activity Statement and payment for monthly reporters for September 2024 21 October 2024 – Annual PAYG instalment – Payment of annual PAYG instalment for 2023–24. Lodge only if instalment amount varied or the rate method to calculate the instalment is used 28 October 2024 – GST – Quarterly Activity Statement and payment for the July to September 2024 quarter if you do not lodge with us 28 October 2024 – PAYG withheld, FBT instalment and PAYG instalment – Quarterly Activity Statement and payment for the July to September 2024 quarter if you do not lodge with us 28 October 2024 – Superannuation guarantee – Due date for superannuation guarantee contributions for July to September 2024 31 October 2024 – Income tax – Due date for lodgment of 2023–24 income tax return for individuals, trusts and partnerships if you do not lodge with us 31 October 2024 – GST – Lodgment of annual 2023–24 GST return for instalment payers who are required to lodge tax returns by 31 October 2024 31 October 2024 – Companies – To provide distribution statements to shareholders for 2023–24 for most companies 31 October 2024 – Income tax – Due date for lodgment of 2023–24 income tax return for an entity that has one or more prior year tax returns outstanding as at 30 June 2024 31 October 2024 – SMSFs – Annual return for new registrant SMSF if the ATO has provided this due date We’re here to help if you’re facing operational issues, tackling people challenges, or have health and safety questions, give us a call or email us.
As the year winds down, the festive season and holiday break provide an opportunity to pause, recharge, and reflect. But how can you make the most of this valuable downtime? Here are five tips for enjoying a restful and productive holiday period: 1. Reconnect with Family and Friends Running a business often takes time away from loved ones. Use this break to strengthen personal relationships by disconnecting from work and focusing on quality time with family and friends. Turn off work emails, relax, and make this festive season one to remember. 2. Reset and Recharge Take a deliberate step back from the business to recharge mentally and physically. A digital detox—avoiding work emails and laptops—can reduce stress and help you return refreshed and ready for the year ahead. 3. Reflect and Plan for 2025 Review your business performance and finances, identify growth opportunities, and set goals for the upcoming year. This reflective downtime is ideal for developing a strategic plan that aligns with your long-term vision. 4. Expand Your Knowledge Use the extra time to read inspiring business books, listen to podcasts, or watch educational YouTube content. Learning from other entrepreneurs’ stories can spark new ideas and motivate you for the next chapter of your business journey. 5. Explore a New Hobby The holidays are a perfect opportunity to try something new. Whether it’s learning a language, picking up a creative hobby, or diving into a new sport, pursuing a fresh interest can broaden your perspective and keep your mind sharp. Let’s Plan for Success in 2025 A new year brings new opportunities. Whether it’s exploring a new market, diversifying your offerings, or funding a growth project, we’re here to help you strategise and achieve your goals. Reach out to discuss your plans for 2025 and take the first step towards a successful year ahead.
It could become mandatory for Aussie businesses to accept cash payment for some essential items. What would the impact be for your business?
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