Key 2012 Federal Budget Outcomes

Budget Comments

It is extremely disappointing that the Federal Government has turned its back on simplifying the preparation of tax returns for millions of Australians. In the pursuit of short-term revenue considerations, it has abandoned the Budget proposal of only two years ago to allow a standard tax deduction for work-related expenses. The only conclusion we can draw from this is that the Government is not concerned about making it easier for people with simple tax affairs to complete their tax returns. This important tax simplification measure was a step towards fairer and simpler tax returns, but it will be no more.

Key Issues Announced In The Budget

• The government has indicated it will not proceed with the 1% reduction in company tax, due to commence from the 1st July 2012.
• Standard Tax Deductions For Work Related Expenses - has been withdrawn. (This related to the government's intention to allow an automatic deduction for work related expenses in the hope that taxpayers would not wish to lodge personal tax returns).
• Tax Breaks for "Green Building Fund", estimated to cost $405M, has been withdrawn. 
• The higher cap for superannuation contributions for people aged over 50, with under $500,000 invested in superannuation, has been deferred for two years.  (The affect of this is that the superannuation contribution limit for persons aged over 50, with under $500,000 invested in superannuation, will only be $25,000 per annum, from 1st July 2012, as compared to the original commitment to increase the allowable deduction to $50,000).
• The announced tax break on interest earned on bank deposits (a 50% tax discount) has been scrapped.

Other Key Issues Affecting Small/Medium Enterprises

• Taxation on superannuation contributions for persons with pre-tax incomes of $300,000 and over, will double from 15% to 30%.  The higher tax rate of 30% only applies to contributions and not to the earnings of the superannuation fund, which will remain at 15%. 
• The government has announced a crack down on Living Away From Home Allowance Benefits.  The tax concession will be limited to employees who are living away from home and maintaining a house in both locations.  A twelve month limit will also be imposed on how long an employee can receive the tax concession for living away from home at a particular work location. The government has said that the reforms will not affect the tax concession for "fly-in-fly-out" arrangements, as these employees will not be subject to the twelve month time limit. The government has also said that the new measure will not affect the tax treatment of travel and meal allowances, which are provided to employees who have to travel from their usual place of work for short periods, up to 21 days. The government has indicated that the changes in the treatment of living away from home allowances will apply from the 1st July 2012 to arrangements entered into from 9th May 2012 and from 1st July 2014 for prior arrangements.
• The government has announced a tightening of termination tax breaks to rein in what they believe were unfair "golden handshakes" payments.  These are generally taxed at 15%.  The government will now change the rules so that only people who have become genuinely redundant or lose their jobs due to illness or disability, will be able to claim the 15% special tax rate. The 15% tax rate for "golden handshakes" will increase to 30% once the taxpayer's total income exceeds $180,000.
• The government is introducing a loss carry-back tax break for small businesses, which actually only relates to companies with turnovers under $2M.  Businesses will be able to claim losses of up to $1M against tax they've paid in the previous two years. In its first year of operation (2012/13) the loss carry-back tax break only allows a reach back for one year to 2011/12.  From the 2013/14 years, the reach back can apply for two years. The maximum amount that can be claimed on the loss carry-back tax break for small business companies is the company's franking credit balance or a maximum of $300,000. This scheme will not commence operation until the 1st July 2012, which means that the cashflow benefit from any loss carry-back tax break will not accrue to a small company until 2014. The strict same business and continued ownership tests that apply for losses carried forward deduction will also apply to the loss carry-back tax break.
• The government has announced the introduction of low income superannuation contributions.  From 1st July 2012, taxpayers with an income up to $37,000 will receive a boost to superannuation savings of up to $500 to ensure they effectively pay no tax on their superannuation guarantee contribution.
• The government has announced the Australian Taxation Office will receive an extra $195M over four years to extend its GST compliance programme.
• From the 1st July 2012, truck operators will pay an extra charge, from 23.1 cents to 25.5 cents, on fuel for vehicles heavier than 4.5 tonne.
• $1B has been allocated for the new National Disability Insurance Scheme, scheduled to commence in 2013.
• The government has allocated approximately $1B worth of help for the elderly who wish to stay in their own homes.  These services will be subject to means testing.  Businesses supplying services to the elderly, who wish to stay in their own homes, will probably benefit from this initiative.
• The government is introducing means testing to the Medical Expenses Rebate.  The rebate is currently 20% of expenditure over $2,000 per annum.  The changes are that, for singles with an income of up to $84,000 or more and families on $168,000 or more, the claim threshold would increase from $2,000 to $5,000 and the reimbursement will be reduced from 20% to 10%.
• Fuel tax credits will be reduced from 38 cents to 32 cents per litre for electricity generation, mining, rail and marine transport. The fuel tax credits for businesses using plant and equipment, off road machinery etc., will increase from 19 cents to 32 cents per litre.  This will primarily apply in the construction and manufacturing industries.  A self-assessment system applies for these credits and therefore eligible businesses should ensure that their systems are in place to facilitate the claims being made to the government.
  
• The government has introduced a requirement for employers to report on employees' payslips the amount of superannuation withheld and the expected date that the superannuation will be paid to the superannuation fund.
• Businesses operating in the building and construction industries will have to prepare a detailed list of payments made to all contractors during the year and submit that to the Australian Taxation Office in July each year.
• Wine Equalisation Tax - the Wine Producer Rebate provisions will be amended by the government to ensure that wine producers will not be able to claim multiple rebates for the same quantity of wine beyond the total amount of wine equalisation tax payable.  The measure will apply to assessable dealings from the 1st July 2012.
• The government announced increased taxes on foreign investors in property trusts.  The tax rate is being doubled to 15%.
• Non-residents will lose their 50% discount on capital gains tax.
• The non-resident tax rate will increase from 29% to 32.5%.
• The government intends to make some changes relative to the treatment of deceased estates for capital gains tax purposes.  In last year's Federal budget proposals were announced to amend the capital gains tax (CGT) treatment of deceased estates.  These proposals were designed to enshrine in the law the current government's practise of allowing a testamentary trust to distribute a deceased person's asset without a CGT taxing point occurring.  The government has indicated that it will legislate for this.

Previous Announcements By The Government

• The small business assistance previously announced with immediate write-off of eligible assets which cost less than $6,500 and an accelerated write-off of $5,000 for the purchase of cars and utilities, operational from 1st July 2012, will continue.  The cashflow benefit from this initiative will not accrue to taxpayers until 2013/14.
• The budget includes massive cash handouts to boost Family Tax Benefit Part A recipients and introduces a new school children's bonus to replace the education tax refund which was not being fully utilised.
• Changes to Private Health Insurance Rebate and Medicare Levy Surcharge - the government has already announced measures to change the entitlement to the Private Health Insurance Rebate and the Medicare Levy Surcharge which will be income tested against three income tier thresholds.  The income thresholds that apply to the 2012/13 financial year are: