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Federal Budget 2024-2025

The Government has handed down a ‘no surprises’ budget with little in the way of any substantive tax measures, focussing more on the immediate challenge of cost-of-living increases while remaining mindful of adding to inflationary pressure.

In this special edition Harris Black newsletter, we summaries the key proposals from the 2024-25 budget.

Individuals & Families

Personal income tax cuts confirmed – From 1 July 2024

As previously announced, the Government has legislated permanent tax cuts for all Australian taxpayers from 1 July 2024.

Relative to the previous Stage 3 plan, the redesigned cuts broaden the benefits of the tax cut by focussing on individuals with taxable income below $150,000.

The tax rates and income thresholds from the 2024-25 for residents (as already legislated) are:

taxable income up to $18,200 – nil;

taxable income of $18,201 to $45,000 – nil plus 16% of excess over $18,200;

taxable income of $45,001 to $135,000 – $4,288 plus 30% of excess over $45,000;

taxable income of $135,001 to $190,000 – $31,288 plus 37% of excess over $135,000; and

taxable income of more than $190,001 – $51,638 plus 45% of excess over $190,000.


$300 energy relief for households – From 1 July 2024

Households will receive a credit of $300 on their energy bills credited as automatic quarterly instalments across 2024-25.

Energy relief will also be provided to eligible small businesses in the form of a $325 rebate.

Capping indexation of HELP debts – From Loans that existed on 1 June 2023

As previously announced, the Government will cap the HELP indexation rate to be the lower of either the CPI or the Wage Price Index (WPI) with effect from 1 June 2023.

The change will apply to all HELP, VET Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans and other student support loan accounts that existed on 1 June 2023.

By changing the calculation of HELP indexation from 1 June 2023, the indexation rate is reduced from:

7.1% to 3.2% in 2023, and
4.7% to around 4% in 2024.

The change resolves an issue for more than 3 million Australians with a HELP debt when the CPI indexation rate spiked to 7.1% last year.

An individual with an average HELP debt of $26,500 will see around $1,200 reduced from their outstanding HELP loans this year, pending the passage of legislation.

Superannuation on paid parental leave – From 1 July 2025

As previously announced, from 1 July 2025 superannuation will be paid on Paid Parental Leave payments from 1 July 2025.

Eligible parents will receive an additional payment based on the superannuation guarantee (i.e. 12% of their PPL payments), as a contribution to their superannuation fund.

This payment is in addition to the changes that saw families provided with an extra two weeks of leave (22 weeks total), which will increase to 24 weeks from July 2025 and 26 weeks from July 2026.

Business & Employers

$325 energy relief for small business – Date 1 July 2024

Around one million small businesses will receive $325 off their energy bills over 2024–25.

The support will apply as an automatic quarterly credit to energy bills.

$20k Small business instant asset write-off extended – Date 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025

Small businesses, with an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million, will be able to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible depreciating assets costing less than $20,000 that are first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025.

This measure extends the 2023-24 Budget announcement to the 2024-25 financial year.

“Immediately deductible” means a tax deduction for the asset can be claimed in the same income year that the asset was purchased and used (or installed ready for use).

The increased small business instant asset write-off announced in last year’s Federal Budget is not yet law.

Senate amendments proposed increasing the threshold from $20,000 to $30,000 and expanding the measure to apply to medium entities (aggregated turnover of less than $50m).

What Won’t Change?

Business experts say we’re in a tough spot right now. They call it a BANI world – that stands for Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear, and Incomprehensible. It sounds pretty scary and overwhelming, doesn’t it? So, what can we do about it? Yes, things are uncertain, but there’s a trick to dealing with it. I learned this trick from watching this interview with Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and world richest person. He says when things are crazy, we should ask ourselves a simple question: “What things will always stay the same in our business and industry?”

Source: AWS Youtube Channel

This question helps us focus. It cuts out the noise and confusion. Instead of stressing about everything changing, we look for the things that will never change. It could be stuff like how we treat our customers or the quality of our products.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, we can use this question to figure out where to put our time and effort. So, if you’re feeling swamped in your business, take a moment to ask yourself this question. It might just give you the clarity you need to keep moving forward.

Happy Retirement Brendan Power

After almost 25 years with Harris Black, Brendan Power has embarked on a well-deserved journey into retirement. While we will miss his presence dearly, we couldn’t be happier as he steps into this new chapter.

Brendan has been an integral part of our team and his contributions and impact on our firm and clients is immeasurable.

We wish Brendan all the best and thank him for his support and commitment to Harris Black.

Harris Black Business Leaders Forum – May 2024

We’re excited to invite you to our next HB Business Leaders Forum on 30 May 2024 focusing on “Reimagining Leadership: Practical Shifts To Accelerate Your Success Beyond 2024”.  For more information on this workshop and to purchase your ticket please click the button below.

In our recent workshop for the Harris Black Business Leaders Forum, we looked at “Agile Strategy: Your 2024 Game Plan“.  

Navigating business strategy in the year ahead will feel like a high-stakes game of snakes and ladders.  Opportunities will abound, but so will pitfalls.  How will you win?  In this workshop, participants discovered six keys to crafting and executing an agile strategy.  They were challenged on their product / service offering to ensure they shine in 2024.

There were opportunities to connect, learn and share insights with seasoned fellow business leaders through a power-packed case study on driving peak performance in a capacity crunch.  Everyone walked away with a wealth of practical actions to supercharge their business in 2024.

All up a fantastic session which all valued.

Fringe Benefits Tax 2024

The 2024 Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year runs from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

If you are getting assistance from Harris Black (your tax agent) with your 2024 FBT return, the due date for lodgement and payment is 25 June 2024.

What is FBT?

FBT is a tax on non-cash benefits provided to employees or their associates. This also includes non-salary directors/trustees. The tax is paid by the employer and is separate from income tax. Below are some common examples of non-cash benefits provided to employees where FBT may apply:

  • Allowing a vehicle owned by the employer to be used by an employee for private purposes.
  • Payment of expenses on behalf of an employee.
  • Providing entertainment to employees such as Christmas parties, meals, drinks, or recreational activities.
  • Providing loans to employees or forgiving debts owed by the employee to the employer.
  • Payments to an employee to compensate for living expenses incurred due to having to live away from their normal place of residence for work purposes.

What to do next

In preparation for the 2024 FBT year ended 31 March 2024, please be sure to:

  • Consider if you have provided non-cash benefits to employees that may be relevant for FBT.
  • Consider keeping a logbook for a period of 12 weeks detailing the business/private use of any vehicles used by employees. This allows for calculation of the FBT using the operating cost method which can often yield a more favourable result.
  • Make note of the closing odometer reading at 31 March 2024 for any vehicles used by employees.
  • Provide explanations for transactions in your online accounting software for any transactions coded to ‘Entertainment expenses’ or ‘Staff amenities’ to allow your Harris Black team member to differentiate between FBT-applicable and FBT-exempt transactions.

Harris Black has recently sent FBT checklists to clients operating businesses to assist with identifying FBT reportable benefits. If you do not receive a checklist but believe you may have provided applicable non-cash benefits, please let your Harris Black team member know.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your specific situation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Deductibility of Self-Education Expenses

Generally, work-related self-education expenses are tax-deductible if they enhance skills and knowledge or lead to an income increase related to current income-producing work, for the person claiming the deduction.

Self-education expenses include the costs of courses at an education institution (whether leading to a formal qualification or not), courses provided by a professional organisation or an industry organisation, attendance at work-related conference or seminars, self-paced learning and study tours (whether within Australia or overseas).

Self-education expenses are tax-deductible if your income-earning activities are based on the exercise of a skill, or some specific knowledge, and self-education enables you to maintain or improve that skill or knowledge; and/or the self-education objectively leads to, or is likely to lead to, an increase in your income from your income-earning activities in the future (eg through a real opportunity of promotion, or eligibility for a higher pay grade or bonus).

You cannot deduct self-education expenses if the education is undertaken or designed to obtain employment, obtain new employment, or open up a new income-earning activity (whether in a business or in current employment). A deduction is also not available if you weren’t undertaking income-earning activities to derive assessable income (either by employment, carrying on a business or other means) at the time you incurred the self-education expense.

For self-education expenses that are only partly deductible, you need to apportion the amounts spent and claim only the part that relates to an income-earning purpose.

How can we help you?

Today’s financial environment demands a regular review of strategy and a focus on execution.