This Month
‘The cost of doing business’: A building sector at boiling point
After a series of alleged large-scale tax fraud in the construction sector, subcontractors in the building industry fear they can no longer compete as firms underquote.
- David Marin-Guzman
February
- Exclusive
‘Not a phoenix’: Sydney builder sidesteps $23m tax debt
A formwork subcontractor that worked on government projects collapsed owing $23 million to ATO, then continued its work through a related entity.
- David Marin-Guzman
Family of accused in alleged $180m tax fraud boasts $40m in property
The alleged “controlling mind” of what could be the country’s biggest tax fraud splashed cash on a luxury four-bedroom penthouse boasting Sydney harbour views.
- David Marin-Guzman
ATO probes top construction subbie over ‘$180m tax fraud’
The Tax Office is investigating a suspected 15-year scheme that could prove to be the biggest corporate tax fraud in history.
- David Marin-Guzman
How high earners can stare down bracket creep
Everyone with a taxable income below $146,000 will receive a larger tax cut than under the original plan, while top income earners will get less than promised.
- Duncan Hughes and Joanna Mather
January
Tax scam proceeds used to back luxury club, car dealer, cannabis firm
Millions from an alleged $70 million fraud scheme were invested in a luxury club chain, a car dealership for the rich and a cannabis supplier, liquidators say.
- David Marin-Guzman
- Exclusive
Sydney Olympic FC chief’s firm investigated over $70m ‘tax scam’
A construction industry firm owned and run by the president of the Sydney Olympic Football Club, Damon Hanlin, is being investigated over an elaborate scheme that allegedly defrauded the tax office of up to $70m.
- David Marin-Guzman
- Exclusive
- PwC tax scandal
The crisis that forged the new tax commissioner
Days into his new job at Treasury almost 13 years ago, Rob Heferen faced a huge tax scandal after consultations with the big four firms backfired.
- Neil Chenoweth
Paying too much tax? Steps to take now before July 1 cuts
With bracket creep cutting household income, here are eight ways to benefit before the stage three changes.
- Duncan Hughes
Multinationals hit with 15pc minimum tax rate
Experts say Australia will reap almost none of the $326 billion extra global tax revenue expected to result from the deal, which will generate a significant compliance burden.
- Updated
- Michael Read
December 2023
Ex-Swiss banker admits helping wealthy US taxpayers hide assets
Rolf Schnellmann, one of six people charged with assisting an unidentified hedge fund manager and two other US taxpayers to shield some $88 million in assets.
- Chris Dolmetsch
Business whacked by multinational tax crackdown
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has challenged the opposition to support Labor’s latest changes for big business, despite claims the consultation has been bungled.
- Tom McIlroy
November 2023
Pepsi loses ATO challenge on tax for Schweppes payments
The Tax Office has won a challenge by PepsiCo over assessments that it owed royalty taxes for deals it orchestrated between Singapore and Australian subsidiaries for beverage concentrate and branding rights.
- Max Mason
‘Not a bank’: Tax Office ramps up debt warning
ATO commissioner Chris Jordan says companies and individuals not paying tax and super obligations will face consequences.
- Tom McIlroy
Tax Office scraps robo-debt style push on repayments
Officials conceded they caused unnecessary distress in pursuing historical debts from tens of thousands of taxpayers.
- Tom McIlroy
ATO warns small business to stop using tax to ‘prop up’ cash flow
Operators are increasingly using unpaid tax and superannuation liabilities to support their cash flow, attracting growing scrutiny from the Tax Office.
- Tom McIlroy
Mark Carnegie reveals the tax tourist within
The philanthropist, who reckons the rich should pay more tax, has taken his ex-wife to court to take advantage of a Kiwi tax holiday.
- Myriam Robin
EY admits staffer drafted papers for alleged tax exploitation partner
EY Australia has admitted a staff member helped draft documents for a former partner who allegedly promoted tax exploitation schemes, but the firm says the person was acting on instructions and has not been disciplined.
- Max Mason and Neil Chenoweth
Bookkeeper who bought plane, cars, property for tax fraudster guilty
Christopher Guillan spent $2.5 million of the Plutus tax fraud to buy 19 vehicles for Adam Cranston, including Porsches, race cars, a plane, motorbikes and a boat.
- David Marin-Guzman
October 2023
Audits reap nearly $8b for the Tax Office
Workers paid a total of about $730 billion in income tax last financial year and got $154 billion back in refunds, new data from the ATO shows.
- Tom McIlroy
