On 1 July 2015 some important changes were made to the taxation of employee share schemes in Australia which will make employee option schemes more attractive for employees, particularly where the company qualifies as an eligible start-up. For all employee option schemes there is the possibility of deferring the taxing point until exercise of the … Continue Reading
On 14 October 2014, the Australian government introduced significant changes to the employee share scheme rules to apply to shares or options provided from July 2015. The existing tax rules introduced in 2009 by the former Labor government have been harshly criticised as inhibiting the ability to attract and retain employees by offering ownership interests … Continue Reading
On 5 March 2014 the Australian Taxation Office released a draft ruling relating to the tax treatment of employee remuneration trust arrangements. In the past, the Commissioner of Taxation has issued various private tax rulings on employee remuneration trust arrangements which had allowed income tax deductions for employer contributions to employee remuneration trusts. Many of … Continue Reading
The newly elected Australian Coalition Government has commenced direct consultations with interested stakeholders to review the taxation of employee share schemes for start-up companies, following significant public and political impetus for legal reform in this area. They have stated that they are committed to reforming this area of the law in order to assist start-up … Continue Reading
The newly elected Australian Coalition government has just announced the approach it will take in respect of over 92 taxation issues which had previously been announced but never enacted. However, the government has not formally announced details of its policy regarding the taxation treatment of employee share and option arrangements. The former Labor government had … Continue Reading
