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2023-24 Federal Budget Announcements

Jodie Cunningham • Jun 02, 2023

The Federal Budget was handed down on the 9 May, 2023, outlining a number of changes that impact businesses, tax & superannuation.

Small Business Instant Asset Write-Off Returns

The instant asset write-off will return for the 2023-24 financial year (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024). If you buy an asset to use for business purposes and it costs less than $20,000, you can immediately deduct the business portion of the cost in your tax return. This deduction is available for each asset that costs less than $20,000.


Quarterly Tax Instalments For GST & Income Tax Halved

Eligible small businesses will halve the increase in their quarterly tax instalments for GST and income tax in 2023‑24. These instalments will only increase by 6 per cent instead of 12 per cent to ease the financial burden on small businesses during these economic conditions.


Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Reforms

The Petroleum Resource Rent Tax is to be reformed to ensure a fairer return to the Australian community from Australia’s liquefied natural gas resources while providing certainty to industry and investors to support the domestic gas supply.


The PRRT is a 40% tax on the profits generated from the sale of marketable petroleum commodities above a specified rate. However, this is often reduced by the concessions for the expense of exploring and developing gas fields, which can be carried forward and deducted as tax credits against future liabilities.


Tax Return Amendment Period To Be Extended From 2 Years To 4 Years

Previously, tax returns could only be amended up to 2 years after they were lodged. This is to be increased to 4 years.


Lower Tax Concessions For $3 Million Or More Superannuation Balances

From 1 July 2025, earnings on balances exceeding $3 million will attract an increased concessional tax rate of 30 per cent. Earnings on balances below $3 million will continue to be taxed at the concessional rate of 15 per cent.


Superannuation Moves From Quarterly Payments To Payday

From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time they pay their wages. This will enable employees to track their entitlements to ensure they are paid on time and in full.


Paid Parental Leave Update

From 1 July this year, Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay will combine into a single 20‑week payment. This is set to be increased to 26 weeks by 2026. The threshold for the income test for the family is $350,000 per annum.


Medicare Levy Low-Income Threshold Increased

The Government will increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families and seniors and pensioners from 1 July 2022. The increase in thresholds provides cost-of-living relief by taking account of recent CPI outcomes so that low-income individuals continue to be exempt from paying the Medicare levy. 



What Exactly Is a Budget Surplus?


For the first time in 15 years, the government announced a budget surplus. But what exactly is that? 


Governments are similar to families and businesses in that they earn and spend money. A surplus is simply where a government earns more money during the year than it spends. A deficit is where a government spends more than it earns. 


Over time you would want to see an equal number of surpluses to deficits, but why do surpluses occur some years and deficits in others? This is to do with Fiscal Policy. Governments can manipulate the economy by increasing or reducing their spending. 


If a government increases their spending this should stimulate the economy and if they reduce it then it will slow the economy. We are currently in a cycle where the government wants to slow the economy to help reign in inflation, so it is important that they reduce their spending. 


This also corresponds with what economists call Monetary Policy where the Reserve Bank has the ability to manipulate the economy with interest rates. To slow the economy, they increase the interest rate and to stimulate it they reduce them. 


If the Reserve Bank increased interest rates and the government increased spending at the same time, then we may have the two of them working in conflict, which could see inflation and interest rates both increasing at the same time. This can have a trickle-down effect, and effect taxpayers like yourself.


By Jodie Cunningham 08 Sep, 2023
Deryn worked for Logan & Hall for over 32 years. She was originally employed in an administration role which she continued to do until she left in 1984 to start her family having children Jane and then David. Deryn returned to Logan & Hall in around 1990 as the Office Manager where she also completed some accounting courses. Deryn eventually went onto managing all the office Self-Managed Super Funds including preparation and lodgement of these returns. During her time at Logan & Hall, Deryn built strong relationships with her clients and will be missed by them we’re sure. Outside of work, Deryn is also well known in the Swan Hill Community with her involvement with the Swan Hill Show and Swan Hill Women in Racing. Deryn could also be found on the golf course. You may have even shared a glass or two of bubbles with Deryn along the way. We treasure the many years we have had with Deryn both at work and personally. She will be missed around the workplace, but we will be keeping in touch. Deep will now be managing the Self-Managed Super Funds and can take care of any queries you may have.
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