McKinnon & Co Logo

Latest News

Vehicle association calls for stricter definitions with luxury car tax changes

The fuel-efficient definition for the higher luxury car tax threshold should be limited to zero-emission cars only, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association has said.

.

Motor vehicle industry groups have weighed in on the government’s proposed changes to the luxury car tax (LCT) which will tighten the definition of a fuel-efficient vehicle and align the indexation rates for luxury car tax thresholds.

If passed, Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives and Integrity) Bill 2024 will update the definition of a fuel-efficient car by reducing the maximum fuel consumption for a car to be considered fuel-efficient for the LCT to 3.5 litres per 100 kilometres from the current 7 litres per 100 kilometres.

This means the higher threshold that applies to fuel-efficiency luxury cars will apply to fewer types of cars in relation to the LCT.

The bill was referred to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee at the end of November, with the committee due to report this week.

In a recent submission, the Australian Electric Vehicle Association has urged the government to make the fuel-efficient car threshold more stringent by limiting it to zero-emissions vehicles only.

“This would make the legislation consistent with other Commonwealth tax legislation such as the FBT exemption, which is only available to zero emissions vehicles after April 1, 2025,” the association said.

The association noted that many plug-in hybrid vehicle models on the market will meet the 3.5L/100km rating criterion but will not achieve the expected emissions abatement in operation.

“Numerous studies in Europe, including a 2024 report by the European Environment Agency, found that the actual emissions from a large sample of PHEVs were, on average, 3.5 times higher than their type approval values,” it said.

The submission also noted that the Climate Change Authority’s Sector Pathways Review finds that Australia will likely need to fully decarbonise the passenger vehicle fleet by 2050 to meet the 2050 net zero target.

“Given that many cars remain on the road for 20 years or more, it is important that incentives encourage the purchase today of zero emissions vehicles over hybrids,” the submission said.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) on the other hand has called for the LCT to be abolished entirely, labelling it an “obsolete tax”.

“The luxury car tax served a historic purpose, having originally been created as a means of protecting Australia’s local vehicle manufacturing industry,” it said.

“Given manufacturing in Australia ceased in 2017, the luxury car tax and its purpose has become redundant and should be scrapped.”

The FCAI said it is inefficient and inequitable to manipulate a tax that was formulated for a purpose that is now redundant so that it artificially addresses another issue.

“Consistent with its longstanding position, the FCAI recommends that the luxury car tax be abolished in a staged process over a five-year period to mitigate any unintended consequences,” it said.

In the event that the government does proceed with the changes for luxury car tax, the FCAI said there should be a transitional period where the maximum fuel consumption for vehicles defined as fuel efficient for the purposes of the LCT is gradually reduced over a three-year period.

The association said the All Groups CPI should be used as the method of indexation for both fuel-efficient and all other luxury vehicles.

The government must also implement transition arrangements to protect consumers who may purchase a vehicle subject to LCT prior to 1 July 2025 in instances where the vehicle is not supplied/imported prior to that date, it added.

 

 

 

Miranda Brownlee
03 February 2025
accountantsdaily.com.au

Hot Issues

Careers

Want to join our team? Various opportunities and positions become available from time to time. Currently we have the following positions available:

Accountant

Key Responsibilities will Include:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements and Tax Returns for Individuals, Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and SMSFs.
  • Preparation of BAS/IAS.
  • Preparation of Budgets & Cashflows.
  • Liaise with clients.
  • Communicate with the ATO and other regulatory bodies.

You’ll Need:

  • Tertiary Qualification (Majoring in Accounting).
  • Ideally a minimum of 2 years industry experience.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to plan and coordinate workload.
  • Experience working with a range of software programs.

Bookkeeper

Key Responsibilities will include:

  • Preparations of BAS/IAS.
  • Bank Reconciliations for our small business clients.
  • Liaising with the ATO and other regulatory bodies.
  • Payroll processing.
  • Providing support to clients.
  • Assisting accountants where necessary.

You’ll Need:

  • Demonstrated experience in a similar role, or previous experience working as a bookkeeper for a business.
  • Experience working with software programs including Xero, MYOB, Reckon and QuickBooks is highly desired.
  • High standard of written and verbal communication skills.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.

Graduate/Trainee Accountant

Key Responsibilities will include:

  • Preparation of Financial Statements and Tax Returns for Individuals, Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and SMSFs.
  • Preparation of BAS/IAS.
  • Liaise with clients.
  • Communicate with the ATO and other regulatory bodies.

You’ll Need:

  • Recently finished or currently studying towards your degree.
  • Motivation to undertake further study.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Eagerness to learn and high work ethic.

We offer full time, part time and casual employment options. All applications are treated with strict confidentiality.

If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please email resume cover letter to accountant@mckinnonandco.com.au

Contact Us

Philippa Whitting

Director

Education: Bachelor of Commerce, JCU

Qualifications: CPA, CTA, JP

Philippa commenced work at McKinnon & Co in 1982. In her spare time she enjoys looking after her beef cattle enterprise, equestrian activities, and spending time with family.

Stephen Klaproth

Senior Accountant

Education: Bachelor of Commerce – Major Accounting & Finance, USQ.

Qualifications: CA

Stephen works in our business services areas as well as assisting with Audits. On the weekend he enjoys the Tablelands outdoor lifestyle.

Chloe Bidner

Senior Accountant

Education: Bachelor of Business – Major Accounting, JCU.

Qualifications: CPA, Xero Advisor Certified.

Chloe works part time at McKinnon & Co predominantly in Business Services. When she is not at McKinnons, she works in her family business – FNQ Honey & Bees

Margaret Blakey

Senior Accountant

Education: Diploma of Financial Planning (Financial Services)

Qualifications: JP

Margaret commenced accounting in 1990, and has experience in the accounting, finance, banking and financial services sectors. In her spare time, she competes in dance sport ballroom dancing, as well as spending time with her family.

Leanne Johnston

Accountant. Manager of BAS, Payroll & Bookkeeping Department.

Education: Bachelor of Business – Major Accounting, USQ.

Qualifications: Xero Advisor Certified. Diploma In Accounting.

Leanne has recently completed her accounting degree and is looking to expand her knowledge with further study. In her spare time, she enjoys horse riding and planning travel adventures.

Valerie Orreal

Manager of SMSF Department.

Education: Bachelor of Science, JCU

Qualifications: Diploma of Family History

Valerie looks after all aspects of SMSFs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, camping and beach trips.

Alison Richardson

Client Service Assistant

Alison started at McKinnon’s back in 1981 and is our longest serving employee, providing integral support to the office and our clients. She loves spending time with her family and spoiling her grandchildren.

Rebecca Setford

Receptionist

Bec helps manage the day-to-day operations of our front office. She enjoys working hard and learning new skills. Outside of work she is a keen gym enthusiast.

Georgia Barbagallo

Receptionist

Our newest team member Georgia is enjoying learning the running of our front office. She is also studying Education and enjoys spending time with her adorable sausage dogs.

Accounting, Tax & Compliance

The right advice can make a significant difference to the bottom line of your business. Our team can take the complexity out of tax.

We can help with compliance work for:

  • Individuals.
  • Sole Traders
  • Partnerships.
  • Companies.
  • Trusts.
  • Self-Managed Super Funds.
  • Clubs & associations.
Contact Us

Business Advisory

We take the time to understand the current situation and future direction of each client. Our experienced staff will develop a range of services tailored to suit your needs.

We can provide advice and support on a range of areas such as:

  • Business structuring.
  • Tax consequences and obligations.
  • Business Recovery & turnaround.
  • Succession Planning.
  • Capital Gains.
  • Business Valuations
Contact Us

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds

We provide a comprehensive service, assisting in all aspects of your fund’s administration including all the paperwork, reporting and support in complying with super and tax laws.

We’ll support you in the administration of your fund by:

  • Processing investment paperwork throughout the year.
  • Consulting with share registries.
  • Corresponding with the ATO.
  • Processing paperwork and calculations in relation to the commencement and maintenance of pensions.
  • Preparing trustees’ minutes.
  • Preparing year-end financial statements.
  • Preparing and lodging the fund’s annual income tax and regulatory return.
  • Preparing and lodging the TBAR reports as required.
  • Preparing the fund minutes
  • Organising annual actuarial certificate and other documents as required.
  • Organising the annual independent audit.
Contact Us

Audit & Assurance

We provide high quality auditing services to help ensure that our clients meet regulatory and business requirements.

We are committed to providing independent, comprehensive, effective and efficient auditing. They have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you with all your financial reporting and accounting issues.

We provide auditing services for the following areas:

  • Clubs & Associations
  • Trust Audits including Real Estate & Solicitors.
  • Special Purpose Audits and Reviews.
  • Financial Statement Audits.
Contact Us

BAS, Payroll & Bookkeeping

We provide a range of options to meet your individual bookkeeping needs and ensure you are complying with all your reporting requirements. We work with a range of software’s and are happy to assist with whichever program you feel most comfortable with. Services we provide include:

  • Payroll Processing and support.
  • Superannuation processing – ensuring all staff super guarantee obligations met on time.
  • Preparation and lodgement of Monthly & Quarterly Business Activity Statements.
  • Bank Reconciliations and transaction coding.
  • Inputting of business records.
  • Assisting with software used to maintain records.
  • Set up of relevant Tax Registrations.
Contact Us

Business Start Up Assistance

We can take the stress out of starting a new business, providing a personalised start up tax service suited to your venture. We can assist with:

  • Advice on Business Structure.
  • Applying for ABN, TFN.
  • Set up of Tax registrations including GST, PAYG Withholding and FTC.
  • Set up of WorkCover and Super clearing house.
  • Taking care of company set up requirements.
  • Advice on ongoing obligations.
Contact Us

Tax Diary

General Calculators

 

Accounting Videos

Tax Deductions by Job

Secure File Transfer

Secure File Transfer is a facility that allows the safe and secure exchange of confidential files or documents between you and us.

Email is very convenient in our business world, there is no doubting that. However email messages and attachments can be intercepted by third parties, putting your privacy and identity at risk if used to send confidential files or documents. Secure File Transfer eliminates this risk.

Login to Secure File Transfer, or contact us if you require a username and password.

Latest Newsletter

June 2024

Archive

General Disclaimer

The material on this website has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained on the website is General Advice and does not take into account any person’s individual investment objectives, financial situation or needs.

Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider whether it is appropriate to your particular circumstances, alternatively seek professional advice.

Privacy Policy

McKinnon & Co is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, via our website www.mckinnonandco.com.au, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. We don't guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

McKinnon & Co will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at:

admin@mckinnonandco.com.au

07 4091 1244