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Tax & Employment Compliance Workshop 2024 Session 2

Recorded 1 May 2024. Allowances & FBT

Compliance review framework for workers and employers
Recent Fair Work changes
Preventing penalties from arising

Recorded 1 May 2024

Over the last few years we have seen a significant spotlight on worker rights and entitlements with random ATO audits on the rise.

Businesses that engage employees or contractors are subject to a wide range of obligations under the tax and super systems. Failing to satisfy these obligations can lead to adverse outcomes and significant penalties, not just for the business entity, but sometimes for the individuals who control that entity.

The Tax & Employment Compliance Workshop steps through a review framework for addressing the key compliance interactions between workers and employers. We explore the gamut of issues faced by employers from the classification of allowances to payroll tax to director responsibilities. It’s a comprehensive overview of the obligations, problem areas and opportunities within the tax system, and the emerging areas of concern.

In some areas, like payroll tax, accountants can only go so far in the advice they provide but are still expected to know all of the answers by their clients. This is why it is so important to understand the key risk areas and latest developments so that accountants and their clients know when it is time to seek legal advice.

Optimising outcomes for clients and importantly, protecting against some very significant risks, is essential from both a commercial and compliance perspective. 

Total 1.75 CPD Hours

What we cover

Session 2

We explore the gamut of issues faced by employers from the classification of allowances, to payroll tax, to director responsibilities. It’s a comprehensive overview of the obligations, problem areas and opportunities within the tax system.

An interactive case study will be used to build on the concepts explored throughout the online workshops.

with Rae Ni Corraidh & Karen Vella

Allowances

Allowance v reimbursement - why is the distinction important?
When does an allowance require PAYG withholding and/or super guarantee
When are allowances not reportable on the employee’s income statement?
Travel vs living-away-from-home allowances
- Why it's vital to know the difference
- The ATO's safe harbour approach and what it really means
- How an employer can compensate for each
The Commissioner's reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance amounts
- No automatic deductions!
- Where practitioners are getting it wrong

FBT

What attracts the ATOs attention?
New FBT record keeping requirements from 1 April 2024
FBT concessions for motor vehicles
What to do when it is LAFHA – and making sure it is done correctly
Ensuring that salary packaging arrangements are effective
Dealing with employee contributions toward fringe benefits
- Are journal entries sufficient?
Understanding the difference between salary sacrificing and employee contributions
FBT reporting and single touch payroll
What happens when the employer is a non-resident
- Unexpected outcomes for the employee

Karen Vella

Tax Training Team Leader, TaxBanter

Karen has over 25 years experience in the tax profession, first as a practitioner and more recently as an educator. She trained with the Big Four and initiated her own successful small practice before moving to Hayes Knight as a Partner.

Prior to joining TaxBanter, she spent many years as a trainer and technical writer for Webb Martin Training, and then most recently TaxBytes. She is also a regular presenter and consultant for Knowledge Shop.

Karen loves to talk tax. She has provided tax training to clients ranging from the Australian Taxation Office to accounting firms, both large and small. Her specialty is translating complex content into something meaningful, engaging and practical for her clients, no matter their level of experience.

Rae Ni Corraidh

Senior Trainer (Tax), TaxBanter

Rae is a highly experienced tax advisor and trainer, dedicated to helping practitioners navigate complex tax rules and apply them to real-world scenarios. With over 25 years of experience across the tax profession, including senior roles in both Big 4 and mid-tier firms in Australia and internationally, Rae brings deep technical knowledge and practical insights to every session.

She has spent a significant part of her career in tax training and education with our partners at Knowledge Shop, working closely with practitioners to deliver clear, actionable guidance. Rae understands the day-to-day challenges faced by tax professionals and focuses on equipping them with the practical tools and knowledge needed to support their clients with confidence.

Passionate about demystifying tax, Rae excels at translating technical concepts into accessible, usable information, ensuring her participants leave each session better prepared to tackle even the most complex tax issues.