The ATO has updated its list of ‘What attracts our attention’, with six items that specifically relate to fringe benefits tax (‘FBT’), as follows:

• Failing to report motor vehicle fringe benefits, incorrectly applying exemptions for vehicles or incorrectly claiming reductions for these benefits.

• Incorrectly calculating car parking fringe benefits due to:
–     significantly discounting market valuations;
–     using non-commercial parking rates; or
–     parking rates not being supported by adequate evidence.

• Mismatches between the amount reported as an employee contribution on an FBT return compared to the income amounts on an employer’s tax return.

• Claiming entertainment expenses as a deduction but not correctly reporting them as a fringe benefit, or incorrectly classifying entertainment expenses as sponsorship or advertising.

• Not reporting fringe benefits on business assets that are provided for the personal enjoyment of employees or associates.

• Not lodging FBT returns (or lodging them late) to delay or avoid payment of tax.

PLUS ADDITIONAL FBT NEWS: Record-keeping exemption threshold

The exemption threshold for the FBT year commencing 1 April 2019 is $8,714 (up from the amount of $8,552 that applied in the previous year).

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Please Note: Many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.