4:37pm - Tuesday, 8th April 2025
The ATO collects taxes for the Federal Government. These are all the taxes that apply in Australia other than a short list of taxes levied by each individual State Government.
The ATO web site has comprehensive information for the public - both for individuals and also for businesses.
In South Australia the State Taxes are Stamp Duty, Land Tax and Payroll Tax. These are administered and collected by Revenue SA. There is a lot of information for the Public at their general web site.
The procedure, forms and time limits are here. for disputing the value of real estate.
Are you looking for detailed information like this, or contact details for any of the bodies mentioned on this page. If so, then start on our Tax Law for Lawyers page.
If it isn't there, then start on our Finding Detailed Legal Information page.
Please read our warning on that page "Be careful using these resources".
The Law is not always as straightforward as it appears. We have not included any information about when and how to use that information or any traps. We assume that the Lawyers will know this.
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You should seek professional advice from your accountant, lawyer and financial planner before taking any steps that may alter your tax position. This includes ( but is not limited to) acquiring assets, disposing of assets, improving assets, changing the ownership of them, starting or closing a business, protecting yourself from business risks, estate planning, starting to employ people and business transactions with your family.
The earlier you get that advice, the better. There are many examples where people have unwittingly chosen a course of action that involved a higher level of tax instead of a better option that they had not even considered.
Tax planning and structures is not something that you can learn from the internet. There are some web sites that sell documents for structures (companies, trusts or superannuation funds) to the public. If you read the fine print, they usually have strong disclaimers denying all responsibility for the consequences of you using the structure and deny that their web site has given you any legal advice. See your advisor first, then use the online service if that is their advice. See your advisor before you sign anything and not after.
The Australian Tax Office supervises the payment of employer contributions of superannuation.
There are significant taxation benefits for superannuation funds and their members - provided that they comply with stringent laws. The ATO also overseas this.
Their web site has information for individuals, employers and superannuation funds.
Taxation is more complicated than many magazines and books make out. What may be good advice for another person and their situation may be bad advice for you and your situation.
Usually an tax decision has both short term and long term consequences. We recommend that you always seek professional advice.
