6-Webinar Series

Topic: Think it’s simple? Uncover some hidden complexities of Australian tax issues

Tuesday 16 July 2024 | 12:30-2:00pm AEST

Discover the surprising complexities behind seemingly simple tax issues impacting SME’s and private clients. Join some of Queensland's upcoming tax professionals as they reveal common pitfalls and provide practical advice for dealing with trusts, CGT concessions and exemptions, and Division 7A. 

Panellists: 

• Tom Walrut, Cooper Grace Ward
• Kimberley Barnes, McInnes Wilson
• Chris Pedler, HLB Mann Judd

Brought to you by your QLD State Council 

Members, you can watch the session recording here.

Topic: The Employee Versus Contractor Distinction

Tuesday 13 August 2024 | 12:30-2:00pm AEST

This session will explore the evolving distinction between employees and independent contractors. 

Join lawyers Andrew, Jessica and Katherine as they delve into recent developments to legislation and case law. This includes the new definition of ‘employee’ in the Fair Work Act (Cth), recent ATO and Court guidance regarding who is an employee for Superannuation Guarantee purposes, and Payroll Tax on payments to contractors. 

The session will offer practical guidance for assessing the true nature of working arrangements and managing legal risk.

Panellists:

• Andrew Henshaw, CTA, Velocity Legal
  
• Jessica Hill, Velocity Legal
• Katherine Stewart, Velocity Legal

Brought to you by your VIC State Council 

Members, you can watch the session recording here.

Topic: Trust Distributions - Harder than you think

Tuesday 29 October 2024 | 12:30-2:00pm AEDT

Navigating trust distributions involves more than routine paperwork in Australia. It requires crafting intricate resolutions within a complex legislative and equity framework. Advisors undertake pivotal roles in drafting resolutions that encompass:

• Allocating diverse types of income and capital to a range of beneficiaries
• Addressing distinctions between accounting income and section 95 income, and managing trust losses
• Ensuring precise payment, application or allocation of amounts
• Establishing present entitlement amid challenges such as outdated trust deeds and evolving ATO interpretations
• Gain insights from South Australia’s tax professionals as they delve into the legal and accounting nuances, backed by theoretical foundations and practical illustrations.

Panellists:

• Adrian Cartland, Cartland Law
  
• Sally Storey, CTA, Brentnalls SA

Brought to you by your SA State Council

Members, you can watch the session recording here.

Topic: An update on the recent changes to your TASA obligations

Tuesday 12 November | 11:30-1:00pm AEDT

Substantial changes have recently been made to the Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Determination 2024 (Determination) as a result of extensive advocacy efforts by The Tax Institute and other professional associations (Joint Bodies).

While the changes to the Determination broadly address the concerns raised by the Joint Bodies, the latest round of changes will still add a considerable compliance burden and a range of uncertainties for all registered tax practitioners.

Following a recorded insights panel session in July 2024 on the new rules as they stood at the time, expert presenters Tim Sandow, CTA, Marg Marshall, CTA return to join Robyn Jacobson, CTA as they work through the latest changes to help you navigate your new obligations.

The session will cover:

• The latest changes to your Code of Professional Conduct obligations
• When the changes apply
• How practitioners can comply with their new obligations
• Available TPB guidance.

A detailed slide pack will accompany their practical analysis, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions of our expert panellists during the live Q&A.

Presenters: 

• Robyn Jacobson, CTA
• Marg Marshall, CTA
• Tim Sandow, CTA

Brought to you by your National Council.

Members, you can watch the session recording here.

Topic: Division 7A — inheriting a problem and getting ATO discretion

Tuesday 26 November 2024 | 12:30-2:00pm AEDT

Join the in-depth discussion on key issues in Division 7A. This session will dissect crucial topics such as inherited Division 7A challenges, amendment periods, loans previously categorised as dividends, distributable surplus considerations, penalties, and the complexities surrounding deceased estates.

Gain insights from Western Australia’s tax professionals as they delve into the legal and accounting nuances, backed by theoretical foundations and practical illustrations.

Presenter and facilitator: 
Ross Forrester, CTA, Westcourt Pty Ltd, and Chair, Western Australian State Council

Panellists:

Yikai Hoe, CTA, Provident Lawyers
Gaurav Chitnis, CTA, HLB Mann Judd
Shivani Jethwa, Birchstone Tax Law

Brought to you by your WA State Council 

Members, you can watch the recording here

Topic: Estate planning essentials 

POSTPONED: NEW DATE TO BE ADVISED 

The ongoing changes to Australia's taxation regime and the increasing wealth of the ageing population, warrants a discussion on estate planning. Explore crucial topics such as trust vesting, trust splitting, testamentary trusts, excepted trust income, and family trusts. Gain insights into recent developments and their impact on holistic estate planning.

Presenter: 
Ron Jorgensen, CTA, Tasmanian Bar, and Vice Chair, Tasmanian State Council

Facilitator: 
Marg Marshall, CTA, WLF Accounting & Advisory

Brought to you by your TAS State Council 

Bendel decision – precedent set or questions remain?

Tuesday 25 March 2025 | 12:30-2:00pm AEDT

For the past 16 years, the question of whether an unpaid present entitlement (UPE) is a loan for Division 7A purposes has challenged the tax profession. Now, in a landmark ruling, the Full Federal Court has delivered its judgment in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15 (Bendel)—confirming that a corporate beneficiary’s UPE is not a loan for Division 7A purposes. This finding has significant implications for taxpayers, tax practitioners and the ATO, as we assess its broader impact across the profession.

In this session with Paul Sokolowski, CTA, who represented the taxpayer in the Bendel appeal, Fiona Dillon, CTA who will provide the ATO’s perspective, and Tracey Dunn, the panel will discuss:

• What did the Full Federal Court say?
• What does the Bendel decision mean for clients’ arrangements?
• How does the Bendel decision impact on past UPEs that have been treated as loans?
• Next steps:
  • Potential High Court appeal
  • The ATO’s administrative approach to objections
  • Potential legislative change
• Other considerations including the application of section 100A.

Presenters:
Paul Sokolowski, CTA, Arnold Bloch Liebler
Fiona Dillon, CTA, Australian Taxation Office
Tracey Dunn, EY
Robyn Jacobson, CTA, The Tax Institute 

Bought to you by The Tax Institute 

Topic: Small business CGT concessions — case studies

Tuesday 1 April 2025 | 12:30-2:00pm AEDT

This session discusses the hot topic – the small business CGT concessions. Gain insights into accessing these concessions, including considerations for family farms and other assets. Explore concepts including ‘entities connected with’, the $6 million maximum net asset value test, the active asset test, aggregated turnover, land eligibility, and the complex rules for CGT events involving shares or trust interests. Enhance your understanding and avoid pitfalls in applying these valuable concessions.

Presenters:
Todd Want, CTA, William Buck, and former TTI President
Jane Harris, CTA, Brown Wright Stein Lawyers
Vanessa Priest, FTI, SW Accountants & Advisors

Facilitator:

Alison Stevenson, CTA, Matrix Norwest Taxation & Accounting, and Chair, New South Wales State Council

Brought to you by your NSW State Council 

Watch the recording here

End of Year Tax Issues 2025

Wednesday 4 June 2025 | 12:30pm-2:00pm AEST | 1.5 CPD hours

Be on top of the tax issues your clients are facing this end of financial year with this free webinar, only available to members of The Tax Institute. 

Approaching the end of each financial year is the final opportunity to review your clients’ tax affairs to ensure they are in order. In addition to the regular year-end considerations, particular matters warrant the attention of practitioners this year.

Presented by our Senior Advocate, Robyn Jacobson, CTA, and Svetlana Kolyasnikova, CTA, BDO, this practical session will examine the tax and superannuation policy and administrative measures relevant to your clients this year-end. Comprehensive slide materials will be provided and the session will include a live facilitated Q&A.

In particular, this session will cover:

• Key measures ending on 30 June 2025
• Key measures commencing on 1 July 2025
• Key announced but unenacted measures, including the impact of the timing of the Federal election
• Issues specific to 2025
• Recurring year-end considerations
• An overview of key tax administrative matters, including the new TASA Code obligations that start on 1 July 2025 for smaller practitioners.

Presented by: 
Robyn Jacobson, CTA, The Tax Institute
Svetlana Kolyasnikova, CTA, BDO

Bought to you by your TAS State Council
*Please note this webinar will repalce the Estate Planning webinar