Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is paid on particular benefits employers provide to their employees or their employees' associates instead of salary or wages. Benefits can be provided by an employer, an associate of an employer, or a third party by arrangement with an employer. An employee can be a former, current, or future employee.
FBT is separate from income tax and based on the taxable value of the various fringe benefits provided. The rate corresponds
to the top marginal income tax rate for individuals, including the Medicare Levy (47% for the FBT year ending 31 March 2018). A complicated
gross-up factor is applied in calculating the tax - the general principle is that the FBT payable should equal the income tax otherwise
payable by an employee on the top marginal tax rate, on the cash salary needed to purchase the benefit (including GST) from after-tax
income.
Reporting, lodging and paying FBT
The FBT year runs from 1 April - 31 March. Annual FBT returns must be lodged and
tax paid by 21 May each year. Returns lodged through tax agents may qualify for extended due dates. Annual FBT liabilities of $3,000 or more
are paid by quarterly instalments as part of the employer's business activity statement.
If the taxable value of certain fringe benefits provided to an employee exceeds $2,000 in an FBT year, the 'grossed-up' taxable
value must be reported on the employee's payment summary for the corresponding income tax year. The following categories of fringe benefits
apply, with specific valuation methods applicable to each category:
MORE: See the ATO web site for more on FBT categories.
Exemptions, concessions and special rules
A wide range of exemptions and reductions
in taxable value apply.
Concessional valuation rules apply to 'in-house'
fringe benefits The
taxable value of certain fringe benefits can be reduced by employee contributions towards the cost of the benefit. Making such contributions
can result in a lower overall tax liability, depending on the particular employee's tax situation and the valuation method that applies to
each benefit received.
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