Your guide to the 2022 Tax Forum Season

It’s our favourite time of year – Tax Forum Season! This Autumn, we’re holding premier events all around the country, digging into the topics that matter to tax practitioners. From the local, to the national, right through to global issues Tax Forum events address the latest thinking and developments that you need to know about when advising clients.

To help you navigate the different events and their programs, we’ve put together this handy guide.

Key Tax Forum facts:

• All Tax Forums events are being held in a hybrid style, which means you can attend in-person or online. If you’ve booked an in-person ticket and things change, you can easily switch to online attendance instead.
• Events are happening in capital cities across 5 states. Each tax forum has been developed by a local organizing committee and features presenters who understand the unique interest of their local tax practitioners.
• Events feature streams geared towards SME, Corporate, Hot Topics or Emerging leaders, so there’s something for everyone.
• Each event includes a networking event in your full ticket price. Take the opportunity to shake off the cobwebs, reconnect with colleagues and make new connections.

WA Tax Forum

06 April 2022 - 07 April 2022 | The Westin Perth & Online

WA's premier tax event

With a program emphasising tools and information with “real-world” applications and streams dedicated to both SME and Corporate topics, this is a not-to-be-missed event for the road trip state. Local speakers will cover a range of topics relevant to our digital, post-COVID-19 world, including a look into the all-important role of mental health.

Must-see sessions:

1.       Managing a tax function – what is it really like? with a panel of experts, facilitated by Carlo Franchina, CTA KPMG

Learn from the wisdom of a diverse panel of highly experienced heads of tax, as they discuss topics such as ESG and focus on corporate social responsibility and tax transparency, practicalities of tax governance, recent ATO review activity, and the impact of tax digitalization on business models.

2.       The role of the revenue authority in the post-covid world with Jonathan Chamarette Assistant Commissioner, ATO

Take a look inside the ATO’s current approach, as Assistant Commissioner in the Public Groups and International business line, Jonathan Chamarette, addresses areas of concern, observations and programs of interest to WA tax practitioners in this session following on from Commissioner Chris Jordan’s address October 2021, the Top 100 Findings report released November 2021 and the Top 1000 Findings report released December 2021.

3.       The world of digital assets – Are you ready? with Tracey Dunn, RSM Australia

From cryptocurrency to NFT’s, digital assets are flooding onto the market at an exponential rate. Take a practical look at current issues at play, available ATO guidance and an outlook of what we might see in 2022 including a dive into NFTs, blockchain and cryptocurrency.

4.       The Clough case – impact on taxpayer and where to from here, with Fiona Beckett-Cooper EY and Mathew Chamberlain, CTA EY

This Q&A with Fiona Beckett-Cooper, solicitor in the Clough case, gives you an insider look into the impact this important case has on taxpayers, including what the decision means for taxpayers seeking to evidence a material deduction under section 8-1 whether a deduction over 5 years under section 40-880 would be available, given this wasn’t considered by the Court? Don’t miss this one!

Included networking opportunity

Put on your party clothes for the Cocktail reception on Wednesday night. Network and exchange ideas with colleagues from around the state, while enjoying drinks and canapes, courtesy of sponsor Sceales Lawyers.

QLD Tax Forum

12 May 2022 - 13 May 2022 | W Brisbane & Online

Leading the way for tax professionals across Queensland

With every challenge comes opportunity and at the QLD Tax Forum, we’re embracing the momentum as we reopen for business. The focus this year is on mobility, shifting expectations and practices and emerging trends in the local, national and global world of tax and business. This program offers a broad range of practical insights and skills across SME and Corporate spaces, allowing you to prepare yourself and your clients to ride the wave of success and growth.

Must-see sessions:

1.       Keynote: Open for business – navigating the ESG movement to embrace opportunity with Danielle Wood, Grattan Institute and Ian Davies, Senex Energy

As we open up again for business, how have expectations changed the way businesses think and behave? With increasing expectations of transparency, social and environmental responsibility from consumers and regulators alike, it’s time to get across the ESG wave and how it impacts business around the world.

2.       The great resignation … or not – embracing a flexible workforce with Craig Sneesby, U&U, Kara Reynolds, Herbert Smith Freehills, Nicole Smith, Rio Tinto and Rebecca Tuplin, Bright People, facilitated by Hayley Lock, KPMG

You’ve heard of the great resignation, but do you really know what it means to manage a mobile workforce? Dive into this interactive session to understand current and emerging trends in the workforce expectations and explore the tax and legal issues that arise with a globally mobile workforce, including residency, income source and leave entitlements.

3.       Crunching the numbers – data matching and tax analytics with Daniel Bamford, ATO and Rory Pike, Deloitte

Between 2021’s new disclosures for taxpayers and tax advisers and STP Phase 2 beginning in January 2022, the ATO is collecting more data than ever before. In this unmissable session, we’ll explore how you can help clients leverage this data to create value and efficiency.

4.       Payroll tax – implications for SMEs of recent case law with Justin Byrne, CTA, Queensland Bar

Every business owner knows: having the right people behind you makes all the difference. As thw workforce increases, clients will look to you to help manage employment costs, including payroll tax. So, get a jumpstart on understanding payroll tax grouping rules, including recent court decisions, which your SME clients need to carefully consider.

Included networking opportunity

After hitting all the program highlights for the day, join us for an evening of drinks, canapes and networking on Thursday night in the Great Room at 5-star W Brisbane.

NSW Tax Forum

19 May 2022 - 20 May 2022 | Sofitel Sydney Wentworth & Online

The leading tax conference in NSW

Concurrent SME, Corporate, Hot Topics and Emerging leaders streams mean that this incredible program offers something for everyone and covers a wide swathe of the tax landscape. But quantity certainly doesn’t mean it lacks in quality – join high caliber speakers to cover topics including Div7A, NALI, property development, international tax, the gig economy and more!

Must-see sessions:

1.       Everyone’s a property developer? with Scott McGill, CTA from Pitcher Partners

It’s the question on every property owner’s mind: sell, improve or redevelop? If your clients are considering developing, don’t miss this session of super practical examples and discussion on when activities may be on revenue account and the income tax and GST issues that arise for developers at all stages.

2.       Environmental markets – An overview of carbon and biodiversity credit schemes in Australia and their taxation treatment with Samantha Daly & Slattery and Lachlan Smithers, ATI both from Johnson Winter & Slattery

Environmental credits – what are they and how do you tax them? Come along to get an understanding of Australia’s biodiversity credit schemes, how credits are generated, traded and retired, The Reef Credit and how you should approach these schemes from a taxation standpoint.

3.       Pass go and collect $200 – How to pass the aggregated turnover test and access tax savings with Marcus Polovineo and Lauren Whelan, FTI, both from HLB Mann Judd

Many recent tax changes may limit the aggregated turnover test’s application to taxpayers below a certain aggregated turnover. Come along to understand aggregated turnover, how it applies to your clients and what you and your clients need to consider at year end to utilise the loss carry back rules.

4.       Medical practices panel session with Heath Stewart, CTA from Ecovis Clark Jacobs, Eric Blazek from Revenue NSW and Gavin Favelle, CTA, from the ATO

Stay at the cutting edge of the current state of tax considerations for medical and allied professionals and structures. The expert panel of leading industry advisers and representatives from the ATO and Revenue NSW will navigate you through payroll tax, superannuation guarantee obligations and income tax, including recent changes that leading to emerging issues.

Included networking opportunity

Join colleagues and conference speakers for an evening of nibbles, drinks and networking at the ritzy Sofitel Sydney on Thursday night.

VIC Tax Forum

26 May 2022 - 27 May 2022 | Crown Melbourne & Online

The premier tax event for Victoria

We’re still working on the program of SME, Corporate and Hot Topic insights, so check back soon to find out what expert speakers are coming to Melbourne this year!

If you want to get tickets early, register your interest or send us a query, click below.

SA Tax Forum

23 March 2022 - 24 March 2022 | Adelaide Oval & Online

Adelaide's much anticipated premier event for tax professionals!

This year we’re bringing a Tax Forum event to South Australia for the very first time! The inaugural program focuses on topics including the practical resolution of issues, latest developments in structuring professional practices, challenging employment tax issues in a mobile workforce and strategies for dealing with trust structures and small business CGT concessions.

Must-see sessions:

1. Keynote from Martin Haese, CEO of BusinessSA

Take a look at current business trends and broader financial issues affecting businesses in SA.

2. Mental health and our workplace with John Mannion, Mental Health Commissioner, Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation

Awareness of mental health for you, your colleagues, clients and family is more important than ever. This important session gives you the tools to start the conversation around mental health and create a healthy environment in your daily life.

3. SMSF – 2022 planning with Shirley Schaefer, BDO

30 June is coming up faster than you think – are you ready to assist your clients? Join us to review the latest SMSF rules around contributions, TBA changes, NALE and Superstream.

4. Employees are now working remotely around the world – what employment tax issues do you need to be aware of? with Tim Cooper, ATI PwC and Natasha Wegener, PwC

In the wake of COVID-19, organisations need to navigate staff working from home and in some cases, from homes outside Australia. Navigating the tax complexities of a global workforce is about to be the next big question for multinational clients, so we’re looking at topics such as Australian tax residency, Double Tax Agreements, contractual obligations, employer obligations, work rights and other regulatory considerations.

Included networking opportunity

Attending in-person? Be sure to put Wednesday’s Welcome reception at The Pavilion on your agenda! This is the perfect chance to reconnect with colleagues form around SA.