Bill Shorten and labour specifically, lacking enough media attention, have brought up the old spectre that is tax on trusts.
While the tax benefits of trusts are well known, it is often the lesser known benefits of asset protection and estate planning that are more important when setting up these structures.
Practically a tax on trusts will make no difference to an individuals bottom line. What it will do is create a compliance nightmare as businesses either change the way they receive payments from trusts or restructure their businesses into tax effective structures.
If you have a question about your current business structure or are starting a business and want to structure it effectively, then feel free to contact us.
For some further commentary on this issue, check out this recent article in The Australian.