ATO Banning Tax Dodgers from Leaving Australia in $50 Billion Debt Crackdown
The ATO is actively using Departure Prohibition Orders (DPOs) to stop taxpayers with significant unpaid debts from leaving the country. Since July 2025, 21 DPOs have been issued - more than the entire previous financial year.
Key Details
- Departure Prohibition Orders: ATO can ban taxpayers from leaving Australia until debts are paid
- 21 DPOs Issued: Since July 2025 - exceeds full year total for FY 2024-25
- $50 Billion: Total collectable tax debt the ATO is pursuing
- Other Enforcement: Director penalty notices, garnishees, credit reporting, wind-up applications
- Focus Areas: Unpaid employee super, PAYG withheld but not remitted, GST collected but not paid
Recent Example
A taxpayer was pulled aside and stopped from boarding an international flight in the early morning hours.
ATO Warning
"If you have a significant debt with the ATO and we've issued you with a DPO, you'll need to pay or make satisfactory arrangements before planning overseas travel."
Payday Super Now Law: Employers Must Pay Super With Every Payslip from 1 July 2026
The Payday Super legislation has passed and is now law. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions at the same time as wages, with funds required to reach employee accounts within 7 business days.
Key Changes from 1 July 2026
- Same-Day Payment: Super must be paid on payday, not quarterly
- 7 Business Days: Contributions must reach super funds within 7 business days of payday
- New Term - "Qualifying Earnings": Replaces OTE for SG calculations
- SBSCH Closing: ATO Small Business Super Clearing House closes 30 June 2026
- SuperStream v3: Upgraded messaging system to reduce rejected contributions
- Maximum Contribution Base: Now annual (not quarterly)
First Year Compliance
ATO will take a flexible approach for employers who try to do the right thing and resolve issues quickly.
Penalty if Late
Super Guarantee Charge (SGC) applies if contributions not received within 7 business days. SGC includes admin uplift.
$16 Billion HECS/HELP Debt Wiped: 20% Reduction Now Complete
The ATO has applied the 20% reduction to all student loan debts that existed on 1 June 2025. Over 3 million Australians have benefited from this historic debt relief measure. Refunds for accounts in credit have been processed.
Key Details
- 20% Reduction: Applied to all HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET Student Loans as at 1 June 2025
- Average Saving: ~$5,500 reduction on average debt of $27,600
- Total Relief: $16 billion in student debt wiped nationally
- Status: Reductions complete - check balance in myGov
- Refunds: Credit balances refunded by January 2026
Check Your Balance
View your reduced balance via the ATO app or myGov Online Services.
Also Changed
New marginal repayment system from 2025-26. Threshold increased to $67,000.
ATO Interest Charges No Longer Tax Deductible - Costs More to Carry Tax Debt
General Interest Charge (GIC) and Shortfall Interest Charge (SIC) incurred on or after 1 July 2025 can no longer be claimed as tax deductions. With GIC currently at 11.17% compounding daily, carrying tax debt is now significantly more expensive.
Key Changes
- No Deduction: GIC and SIC incurred from 1 July 2025 are NOT tax deductible
- GIC Rate: Currently 11.17% per annum, compounding daily
- SIC Rate: Currently 6.78% per annum (applies to tax shortfalls)
- Pre-July 2025: GIC/SIC incurred before 1 July 2025 remains deductible
- Reason: Designed to encourage timely payment and fairness for compliant taxpayers
After-Tax Impact
For a 30% tax rate, the effective cost of GIC increases from ~7.8% to the full 11.17%.
What To Do
Pay debts ASAP, set up payment plans, or consider refinancing ATO debt to commercial loans.
HECS/HELP Repayment Threshold Increased to $67,000 with New Marginal System
The minimum repayment threshold has increased from $54,435 to $67,000, and repayments now use a new marginal rate system - you only pay on income above the threshold, not your total income.
Key Changes
- New Threshold: $67,000 (up from $54,435 in 2024-25)
- Marginal System: Repayments only calculated on income ABOVE $67,000
- Rate $67,001-$125,000: 15 cents per $1 over $67,000
- Rate $125,001-$179,285: $8,700 + 17 cents per $1 over $125,000
- Rate $179,286+: 10% of total repayment income (unchanged)
Example Savings
Income $80,000: $1,950 (new) vs $2,800 (old system) = $850 saved per year.
Who Benefits
All borrowers earning under $179,286. Lower repayments from 2026 tax return onwards.
Super Guarantee Reaches 12% - Final Scheduled Increase Complete
The Superannuation Guarantee rate has reached its final scheduled increase of 12%, up from 11.5% in 2024-25. This is the last increase in the legislated schedule that began in 1992 at 3%.
Key Details
- SG Rate: 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 11.5%)
- Concessional Cap: $30,000 per year (unchanged)
- Non-Concessional Cap: $120,000 per year
- Transfer Balance Cap: $2 million (from 1 July 2025)
- Coming: Payday Super from 1 July 2026
Tax Strategy
Salary sacrifice up to $30,000 total to reduce taxable income (taxed at 15% instead of marginal rate).
Super Balance Tax
From July 2026: 30% on earnings for balances $3M-$10M, 40% for balances over $10M.
Tax Cuts Now Legislated: 16% Rate Dropping to 15% then 14%
The 2025-26 Federal Budget tax cuts have passed Parliament and are now law. The lowest tax bracket rate will drop from 16% to 15% in July 2026 and further to 14% in July 2027.
Key Changes (Legislated)
- From 1 July 2026: 16% rate reduced to 15% ($18,201-$45,000 bracket)
- From 1 July 2027: 15% rate reduced to 14%
- Tax Saving 2026-27: Up to $268 per year for incomes $45,000+
- Tax Saving 2027-28: Up to $536 per year for incomes $45,000+
- Status: ✅ Legislated - now law
Weekly Impact
~$5/week extra from July 2026, ~$10/week extra from July 2027.
Combined with Stage 3
Average earner saves ~$30,000 in tax over 2024-2036.
$1,000 Instant Tax Deduction: No Receipts Required for Work Expenses
The Albanese Government will introduce a $1,000 automatic tax deduction for work-related expenses from 1 July 2026, eliminating the need for receipts for claims under $1,000.
Key Details
- Starts: 1 July 2026 (first benefit in 2027 tax return)
- Amount: Up to $1,000 automatic deduction for work-related expenses
- No Receipts: No substantiation required for claims under $1,000
- Optional: Can still claim itemised expenses if over $1,000
- Current Limit: Replaces current $300 no-receipt threshold
Who Benefits
5.7 million taxpayers who currently claim less than $1,000. Average benefit: $205.
Important Note
This is a deduction, not a refund. Actual benefit depends on your tax rate (e.g., 30% rate = $300 back).
ATO Receives $1 Billion for Enhanced Tax Compliance Activities
The 2025-26 Federal Budget allocated nearly $1 billion in additional funding to the ATO to expand compliance activities targeting multinationals, shadow economy, and personal income tax claims.
Funding Breakdown
- Tax Avoidance Taskforce: $717.8 million over 4 years - targeting multinationals and large taxpayers
- Shadow Economy Program: $155.5 million - targeting unreported income and cash economy
- Personal Income Tax Compliance: $75.7 million - increased audits on individual claims
- Tax Integrity Program: $50 million - ensuring timely payment of tax debts
What This Means
Expect increased scrutiny on work-related deductions, especially claims over $1,000.
Key Advice
Keep all receipts and records. ATO data-matching is more sophisticated than ever.
Stage 3 Tax Cuts Now in Effect: 19% Rate Cut to 16%, New Brackets Apply
The revised Stage 3 tax cuts are now in effect, delivering permanent tax relief to all 13.6 million Australian taxpayers with an average annual tax cut of $1,888.
Current Tax Brackets (2024-25 and 2025-26)
- $0-$18,200: 0% (tax-free threshold unchanged)
- $18,201-$45,000: 16% (was 19%)
- $45,001-$135,000: 30% (was 32.5% up to $120k)
- $135,001-$190,000: 37% (was 37% from $120k-$180k)
- $190,001+: 45% (was 45% from $180k+)
Savings Examples
$100k income: $2,179 saved. $150k income: $3,729 saved.
How It Works
Automatic - PAYG withholding was updated from July 2024. Check your payslips.
Work From Home Fixed Rate Increased to 70 Cents Per Hour
The ATO increased the fixed rate method for work from home expenses from 67 cents to 70 cents per hour for the 2024-25 income year onwards.
Key Details
- Current Rate: 70 cents per hour (up from 67 cents)
- Covers: Electricity, phone, internet, stationery, computer consumables
- Records Required: Must keep a record of actual hours worked from home
- Separately Claim: Depreciation of equipment (desk, chair, computer) can be claimed on top
Example Claim
2 days/week WFH x 48 weeks x 8 hours = 768 hours x $0.70 = $537.60
Alternative Method
Can still use actual cost method if it gives a higher deduction.
Car Expense Rate: 88 Cents Per Kilometre (2024-25 and 2025-26)
The cents per kilometre rate for claiming work-related car expenses is 88 cents for both 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years.
Key Details
- Rate: 88 cents per kilometre (up from 85 cents in 2023-24)
- Maximum: 5,000 business kilometres per car per year
- No Logbook: Not required for cents per km method
- Covers: All car running costs including fuel, registration, insurance, depreciation
Maximum Claim
5,000 km x $0.88 = $4,400 per car.
Records Required
Diary or calendar entries showing how you calculated work km.
Super Guarantee Increased to 11.5%, Concessional Cap Now $30,000
The Superannuation Guarantee rate increased from 11% to 11.5% of ordinary time earnings, and the concessional contributions cap was raised to $30,000 per year.
Key Changes
- SG Rate: 11.5% (increased to 12% from 1 July 2025)
- Concessional Cap: $30,000 per year (up from $27,500)
- Non-Concessional Cap: $120,000 per year (up from $110,000)
- Transfer Balance Cap: $1.9 million (increased to $2M from 1 July 2025)
Tax Benefit
Super contributions taxed at 15% vs your marginal rate (up to 45%).
Strategy
Salary sacrifice up to total $30,000 to reduce taxable income.
Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO) Ended
The temporary Low and Middle Income Tax Offset of up to $1,500 ended after the 2021-22 financial year, meaning many taxpayers saw reduced refunds from 2022-23 onwards. However, Stage 3 tax cuts from 2024 provide replacement savings.
Key Details
- LMITO Ended: No longer available from 2022-23 onwards
- LITO Continues: Low Income Tax Offset (up to $700) still available
- LITO Income Limit: Phases out from $37,500 to $66,667
- Replacement: Stage 3 tax cuts from July 2024 provide ongoing savings
Historical Impact
Refunds were $1,000-$1,500 lower in 2022-23 compared to previous years.
Current Offset
LITO provides up to $700 for incomes under $37,500 (calculated automatically).
Work From Home Method Revised - COVID Shortcut Ended
The ATO revised the fixed rate for work from home expenses to 67 cents per hour with stricter record-keeping requirements. The temporary 80 cents per hour COVID shortcut method ended.
Key Changes
- Rate: 67 cents per hour (increased to 70c from 1 July 2024)
- Covers: Electricity, phone, internet, stationery, computer consumables
- Stricter Records: Must keep contemporaneous records of hours worked from home
- COVID Shortcut Ended: 80 cents per hour method no longer available
Record Requirements
Timesheets, rosters, or diary entries showing actual WFH hours.
Separate Claims
Equipment depreciation (desk, chair, computer) claimed separately on top.
