How to meet your obligations and make payments.
Paying tax on property you own.
Calculate and lodge tax on the wages paid by your business.
Calculate and pay transfer (stamp) duty on purchases.
We collect and audit mineral resources royalties.
We collect gaming and wagering taxes.
For businesses that provide health benefits to contributors.
Providers of general and life insurance pay a duty.
Aims to reduce traffic congestion in Sydney's busiest areas.
Surcharge fees that apply to residential land.
Duty applies to some vehicle registrations and transfers.
Applies to authorised taxi and booking service providers.
We collect funds to support emergency services in NSW.
How government and the private sector compete
Allowances paid to employees are liable for payroll tax.
You may be able to claim an exemption up to a certain amount on:
For more information on allowances and reimbursements, read Revenue Ruling PTA 011 and our common errors page.
A motor vehicle allowance is paid or payable to an employee to compensate them for any business use of their own private vehicle.
For real estate professionals, refer to Revenue Ruling PTA 025v2.
The allowance can be paid on a per kilometre basis, as a flat or fixed amount, or a combination of both.
Car expense payments paid per kilometre aren't subject to payroll tax.
Generally, if the allowance is paid at a flat rate, the full amount is liable for payroll tax.
However, if you can produce records to verify the number of business kilometres travelled, an exempt component can be calculated and deducted. If you've not kept records, the total allowance is liable.
You must record business kilometres using either the continuous recording method or averaging method:
Driving Pty Ltd uses the averaging method to calculate John’s exempt kilometres for October 2019. John’s log book from 1 July 2019 to 23 September 2019 shows that he travelled 50,000km. The business portion was 30,000km. In October, John travels 20,000km in total and receives an allowance of $20,000.
If payment is a combination of a fixed amount plus a kilometre rate, the amount of the allowance that exceeds the exempt component is taxable.
Allowance during the year | |
---|---|
Total business kilometres 2019/20 | 10,000km |
Fixed amount | $8,000 |
Rate per kilometre at 30 cents | $3,000 |
Total allowance paid | $11,000 |
Less exempt fringe benefit | $3,000 |
Sub total | $8,000 |
Exempt component (Total number of business kilometres during the financial year x the exempt rate - ie 10,000 x 0.68) | $6,800 |
Taxable portion of allowance (sub total - exempt component) | $1,200 |
You can find out the ATO exempt rates for previous periods on the rates and thresholds page.
For examples, refer to our case studies page.
An overnight accommodation allowance is paid to cover the costs of temporary accommodation if an employee has to stay away from home as a consequence of employment.
Temporary accommodation, in this case, means accommodation for a continuous period of:
Overnight accommodation allowance is only subject to payroll tax if it exceeds the exempt rate.
Period | Allowance per night |
---|---|
01/07/2019 to 30/06/2020 | $280.75 |
01/07/2018 to 30/06/2019 | $278.05 |
01/07/2017 to 30/06/2018 | $266.70 |
01/07/2016 to 30/06/2017 | $257.95 |
01/07/2015 to 30/06/2016 | $255.45 |
Different rates apply for truck drivers, read Revenue Ruling PTA 024v2.
Living away from home allowances (LAFHA) are fringe benefit. The value if LAFHA for payroll tax purposes is the value determined in line with the Fringe Benefit Tax Assessment Act.
If the allowance does not qualify as a LAFHA under the FBT Act, it will be treated the same as an overnight accommodation allowance.
For more information, read Revenue Ruling PTA 005v3.
Use payroll tax assist to help you meet your payroll tax obligations. It'll show you what wages are taxable.