The Federal Government handed down their budget on 2 April 2019 and whilst there appeared to be no specific new changes proposed to the R&D Tax Incentive, the forward estimates cost of the programme is projected to reduce by $1.35 billion. It is not clear whether this cost reduction is a product of: The legislative changes proposed in the last federal budget being introduced. These changes were recently the subject of a Senate Economics Committee review that recommended the changes […]
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) has stated that government, industry and researchers must work together to ensure solutions are developed for potential opportunities and issues posed by artificial intelligence (AI) products and services. Chief Executive Ron Gauci said that a focus on skills development and an effective R&D Tax Incentive programme would encourage a more favourable business environment for innovation, commercialisation and export of Australian AI products. He said that without strong government support, Australia will struggle to compete […]
CBA have announced to the ASX on 18 March that they have entered into a settlement in respect of a tax dispute regarding the eligibility of claims for software development R&D activities. Below is an extract from the ASX announcement: Commonwealth Bank of Australia has agreed to withdraw from all current proceedings with the ATO and Innovation and Science Australia (ISA) before the AAT in respect of the eligibility of R&D claims that were made for the years ended 30 […]
The Senate Economics Legislation Committee conducted a public hearing in Melbourne on 30 January which heard submissions from various stakeholders including: Cochlear Ltd; Brickworks Ltd; CSL; Dulux Group; The AFR has reported that representatives from these groups have consistently argued that continual change to R&D Tax Incentive introduces uncertainty and reduces Australia’s relative attractiveness as an investment location. In fact, R&D spending in Australia has fallen by over $2 billion since 2013-14. The proposed intensity threshold for companies with annual turnover […]