Tax Insights

In Zhang v Commissioner of Taxation [2026] FCAFC 137, Justices Derrington, Feutrill and Vandongen dismissed Li Zhang's appeal with costs. The court found there was "no arguable case of misconduct" by the Commissioner in issuing the garnishee notice.

In Australian Continuing Legal Education Centre Pty Ltd v Philip Bates [2026] NSWSC 1266, Justice Hammerschlag found barrister Philip Bates in civil contempt. The proceedings concern a dispute over more than $112,000 in floor fees involving Sir Anthony Mason Chambers, the charges barristers pay …

The matter is Onyema v Commonwealth [2026] FCA 1530, decided by Justice Hill on 15 October 2026. Former ATO employee Kenneth Onyema was dismissed in October 2025 for breaching the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct. Material before the court included audit log …

The case is Poulton v Conrad (H1/2026), filed in the court's Hobart registry. It asks whether a bitcoin holding is "property" at common law, and the dispute arose from $10,000 paid to invest in bitcoin. The court has reserved judgment, and as at 16 …

Special leave was refused in Toowoomba Regional Council, about FBT on commercial parking; Cheung, in which $33 million in deposits was found assessable; SKG Cleaning Services, about NSW payroll tax on employment agency contracts; and Vicinity Funds, a Victorian revenue matter. No further appeal …

The plan would raise the threshold to $26,000 for all taxpayers. The same $21 a week would be added to every income support payment, including JobSeeker, student and carer payments and the Age Pension. The reported details did not specify a start date.

The Greens' first major policy under Mr Shoebridge would raise the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to $26,000, worth up to $1,092 a year, and add $21 a week to income support payments including JobSeeker, student and carer payments and the Age Pension. The Parliamentary …