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Director Identification Number Regime
Alan Law • November 3, 2021
Based on the recent ATO announcement, the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) will be introducing and maintaining the Director Identification Number as of 1 November 2021.
What is a Director Identification Number?
The Director Identification Number (Director ID) is a 15 digit unique identifier that will help prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities with the new registry services of the ABRS. This will make it easier to trace director relationships across companies and help identify and eliminate involvement in illegal activity such as illegal phoenix activity.
What you need to do from 1 November 2021?
Individuals who are currently a director or will be acting as a director in the future must apply for a Director ID based on the transitional arrangements specified in the table below:
For example:
- If you become a director on or before 31/10/2021, you must apply for Director ID by 30/11/2021;
- If you become a director between 1/11/2021 and 4/04/2022, you must apply within 28 days of appointment;
- From 5/4/2022, you must apply for Director ID before appointment.
How do individuals apply online for a Director ID?
1. Go to the ABRS website to access the ABRS Director ID service and learn about the Director ID requirements
2. Verify your identity using your myGovID credentials or create a myGovID using your smartphone and Australian identity documents. For more information visit How to set up myGovID.
3. Conduct a proof of record ownership by answering two questions about the individual's ATO record. See below for further information.
4. Complete a Director ID application on the ABRS platform to receive the Director ID instantly.
With the holiday season kicking off, you may be planning a celebration with your staff. Consider if fringe benefits tax (FBT) may apply or you could end up with an unexpected FBT liability. Before you hire a restaurant or book an event, make sure you work out if the benefits you provide your employees are considered entertainment related and if they’ll attract fringe benefits tax (FBT). This will depend on: the amount you spend on each employee when and where your celebration is held who attends - is it just employees? Or are partners, clients and suppliers also invited? the value and type of gifts you provide If you do provide entertainment-related fringe benefits, keep the right records to support this so you can calculate their taxable value. It's important to get on top of how FBT works before you provide perks and extras. Otherwise, you may end up with an unexpected FBT liability. For more information, please contact your Sydney business accountants – ACP Accountants on 02-80467621, or simply get in touch and email us at info@acpaccountants.net.au.
One of the many responsibilities SMSF trustees have every income year is valuing your fund's asset at market value. Each year you need to value your SMSFs assets and provide supporting evidence to your auditor. The market value of an asset is the amount that a willing buyer and seller would agree to in an arms-length transaction. These valuations will be used when preparing your fund's accounts, statements and SMSF annual return (SAR). Your asset valuations will be reviewed by your approved SMSF auditor as part of the annual audit prior to lodgment of your SAR. Your auditor will check that assets have been valued correctly, assess and document whether the basis for the valuations is appropriate given the nature of the asset. They are not responsible for valuing fund assets. Make sure you get your valuations done before going to your auditor. It's your responsibility to provide objective and supportable evidence to your auditor for the valuation of the fund's assets, including all relevant documents requested to prevent delays in auditing the fund. Failure to do so could result in a potential late lodgment of your annual return or a contravention if mistakes have been made. Start researching now to find what type of evidence your need to support the valuation as this can take time. For some asset types the law requires valuations to be undertaken by a qualified independent valuer. For further information, please contact Sydney Business Accountants – ACP Accountants on 02-80467621, or simply email us at info@acpaccountants.net.au.
Two Western Australian directors were recently convicted for failing to have a director ID. Both directors were fined $5,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court on 3 May 2024, for failing to comply with director identification requirements. The maximum penalty for failure to comply is currently a fine of $18,780. The Magistrate stated the director ID service had been enacted for a proper public purpose and considerable efforts had been made by government agencies to bring the accused’s attention to the service and comply. All directors are required to verify their identity with the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) and apply for their director ID prior to being appointed as a director. Please note that directors must apply for their director ID themselves. The fastest way is to apply online at ABRS.gov.au. If a director is unable to apply online, you can phone ABRS on 13 62 50. For more information about who needs a director ID and how to apply, visit ABRS.gov.au. If you have any questions, please contact your accountant/tax professionals, or contact us today on 02-8046 7621, your local Sydney business accountants.
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With the holiday season kicking off, you may be planning a celebration with your staff. Consider if fringe benefits tax (FBT) may apply or you could end up with an unexpected FBT liability. Before you hire a restaurant or book an event, make sure you work out if the benefits you provide your employees are considered entertainment related and if they’ll attract fringe benefits tax (FBT). This will depend on: the amount you spend on each employee when and where your celebration is held who attends - is it just employees? Or are partners, clients and suppliers also invited? the value and type of gifts you provide If you do provide entertainment-related fringe benefits, keep the right records to support this so you can calculate their taxable value. It's important to get on top of how FBT works before you provide perks and extras. Otherwise, you may end up with an unexpected FBT liability. For more information, please contact your Sydney business accountants – ACP Accountants on 02-80467621, or simply get in touch and email us at info@acpaccountants.net.au.
One of the many responsibilities SMSF trustees have every income year is valuing your fund's asset at market value. Each year you need to value your SMSFs assets and provide supporting evidence to your auditor. The market value of an asset is the amount that a willing buyer and seller would agree to in an arms-length transaction. These valuations will be used when preparing your fund's accounts, statements and SMSF annual return (SAR). Your asset valuations will be reviewed by your approved SMSF auditor as part of the annual audit prior to lodgment of your SAR. Your auditor will check that assets have been valued correctly, assess and document whether the basis for the valuations is appropriate given the nature of the asset. They are not responsible for valuing fund assets. Make sure you get your valuations done before going to your auditor. It's your responsibility to provide objective and supportable evidence to your auditor for the valuation of the fund's assets, including all relevant documents requested to prevent delays in auditing the fund. Failure to do so could result in a potential late lodgment of your annual return or a contravention if mistakes have been made. Start researching now to find what type of evidence your need to support the valuation as this can take time. For some asset types the law requires valuations to be undertaken by a qualified independent valuer. For further information, please contact Sydney Business Accountants – ACP Accountants on 02-80467621, or simply email us at info@acpaccountants.net.au.