topic Re: ATO Request for Data in Selling

ATO Request for Data

clarry100 — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:11:59 GMT

This is the first time we have received one of these since we have been trading on eBay.

Anyone else?

Re: ATO Request for Data

thecatspjs — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:15:39 GMT

Yes. Just got some email advices - first time I have received advices too.

Re: ATO Request for Data

harley_babes_hoard — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:19:32 GMT

yep just got one too, hope everyone is declaring their income LOL

Re: ATO Request for Data

transport-posters — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:21:03 GMT

I remember this came up a year or two ago when the ATO released its "annual hit list" to news and media.

They were "going after" people selling online at places such as eBay. Looks like they are doing it.

Re: ATO Request for Data

gamesandconsolesgalore — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:25:19 GMT

I also received the email, although nothing new for me. I have received this email every year at tax time. As long as you are declaring all your income you will be fine. If total sales including post are above $75.000 you also need to be registered for GST. I declare all my Ebay income to the ATO so at tax time they check what Ebay report matches what I have declared on my tax return. It's the thresholds that changed every year. Last year the ATO ask for anyone with sales above $20,000 the year before it was $40,000

Re: ATO Request for Data

thecatspjs — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:30:26 GMT

@gamesandconsolesgalore wrote:
I also received the email, although nothing new for me. I have received this email every year at tax time. As long as you are declaring all your income you will be fine. If total sales including post are above $75.000 you also need to be registered for GST. I declare all my Ebay income to the ATO so at tax time they check what Ebay report matches what I have declared on my tax return

How unusual that you have received this type of email from eBay in previous years.

I never have and would have expected to get that advice in previous years if eBay was sending out to sellers ?

Edit: actually I do recall an email or notice board announcement re tax from eBay sometime over the last couple of years, but I am fairly sure it was not in this years format.

Re: ATO Request for Data

digital*ghost — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:30:51 GMT

I got it too, and it would seem to be a retroactive request, since it states it's for the tax year ending in June 2014 (so the 2013 - 2014 tax year, and the 2014-2015 tax year still has around 6 weeks to go). I'm not sure if the lower threshold ($10k) is new or not, I guess so - it used to be $20k at any rate, but if it is new, that could explain the request for older records.

I don't expect anything to come of it, personally, as all eBay income etc was declared.

Re: ATO Request for Data

harley_babes_hoard — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:35:35 GMT

well I assume it is happening now because the May deadline has now past for reporting the 2013-2014 income

Re: ATO Request for Data

toysandthings12 — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:39:18 GMT

lol, yes, got one too.

Thats kind of funny really, the $10K threshold been reduced from $20K n $40K,

like they think they r chasing money.

Should have been the other way around, years ago $10K n now should be $40K.

Typical public servants thinking that peeps r getting massive profits from ebay.

They will be dissapointed.

Re: ATO Request for Data

joethenuts — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:40:33 GMT

same here ony difference from all other years is a more detailed list ebay sent us instead of just saying ato requested takings.

Re: ATO Request for Data

**melonbellies** — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:40:36 GMT

Yes got one... my first time.... I wonder if there will be some worried people?

Re: ATO Request for Data

chameleon54 — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:41:48 GMT

@harley_babes_hoard wrote:
well I assume it is happening now because the May deadline has now past for reporting the 2013-2014 income

If you use a registered accountant you have untill June 5th to lodge your taxation details for 2013-2014 financial year, so still time if people have not done so.

Re: ATO Request for Data

harley_babes_hoard — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:46:11 GMT

my accountant said May 15th

The due date of your tax return depends on how you lodge, and whether you have any unlodged tax returns.

The normal (early) due date is 31 October 2014. This applies to anybody who lodges their own tax return.

If you lodge through a registered tax agent, you get an extension to the due date. The extension is usually until 15 May 2015, but an earlier date of 31 March 2015 applies to a small number high income taxpayers

Re: ATO Request for Data

chameleon54 — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:53:36 GMT

I still havnt done mine yet and the accountant has advised June 5th, so I hope shes right. Its possible the date is different depending on the class of business you run. Maybe she knows a few loopholes to extend the date, she is a specialist in small to medium sized business and fairly highly qualified. Some of the chain groups that have offices everywhere dont offer the same expertise that the specialists can provide..

Re: ATO Request for Data

vamvas123 — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:55:06 GMT

I'm a bit lost. I too received this email and am not sure how to proceed.
I sell things on ebay as a hobby. I don't have a business or a store. What should I be doing? How can I ensure I am doing the right thing?
Thanks in advance

Re: ATO Request for Data

clarry100 — Fri, 15 May 2015 01:57:09 GMT

Yes its 15th May deadline as I understand it too. ie today.

So if anyone has not declared last tax years income and they are on the ebay report list then I would expect to get a please explain letter from the ATO shortly.

Re: ATO Request for Data

clarry100 — Fri, 15 May 2015 02:01:16 GMT

You need to declare all sources of income to the ATO each and every tax year. No matter how small. Regardless of shop / business owner or hobbyist or whatever.

Then its up to your tax accountant to figure out how much tax you are due to pay, if any.

If you have received one of these ebay emails then I suspect that your ebay sales must have crossed the $10K threshold in the tax year ending 30th June 2014.

If you did not declare your ebay income in that tax year then I would be expecting a please explain letter from the ATO sometime soon.

Re: ATO Request for Data

chameleon54 — Fri, 15 May 2015 02:03:22 GMT

@harley_babes_hoard wrote:
my accountant said May 15th

The due date of your tax return depends on how you lodge, and whether you have any unlodged tax returns.
The normal (early) due date is 31 October 2014. This applies to anybody who lodges their own tax return.
If you lodge through a registered tax agent, you get an extension to the due date. The extension is usually until 15 May 2015, but an earlier date of 31 March 2015 applies to a small number high income taxpayers

I just phoned the accountant and she advised the 15th of May is the standard date, but she was able to lodge a few weeks later in certain circumstances so it sounds like it depends on your accountant.

Re: ATO Request for Data

bigbrickshop — Fri, 15 May 2015 02:05:51 GMT

The amount hasn't changed.

It was also $10,00 in last year's letter and it applied to turnover from July 2011.

Re: ATO Request for Data

clarry100 — Fri, 15 May 2015 02:05:57 GMT

That would be why these messages are being sent out today as it is the gazetted final day for lodgement.