FBT Simplified: Essential 2025 Updates for Accountants and Bookkeepers

Course Outline

This course commences on 1st March 2025

This microcourse is designed to provide accountants with a concise, practical update on key Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) issues relevant to small and medium-sized business clients, charities and not-for-profits.

Delivered in three 1-hour modules, it focuses on commonly encountered challenges and compliance requirements for the 2025 FBT year, incorporating expert insights and actionable strategies.

Key topics include (a) FBT and Motor Vehicles, (b) FBT and Audits and (c) FBT in the Not-for-profit Sector. See below for topic details.

About the presenter

This course is presented by Paul Mather, FBT & Salary Packaging Expert. Paul Mather is the founder of FBT Solutions, established in 2009. He has over 25 years of experience in employment taxes across all industry sectors in Australia. Paul has significant experience helping businesses manage FBT compliance and developing opportunities. More recently he has been helping businesses, and their accountants, navigate ATO FBT audits and how to avoid them. He was a member of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) former FBT Working Group and former ATO National Tax Liaison Group’s Fringe Benefits Tax Subcommittee from 2005 to 2024. Paul is a sought after trainer and speaker, delivering his topic in an insightful and practical way.

Why Enrol?

1. Stay ahead of the latest FBT changes for 2025.
2. Learn directly from Paul Mathers, leading Australian FBT expert.
3. Equip yourself with practical insights and tools to add value to your client engagements.

Who should enrol?

This course is suitable for accountants and bookkeepers wanting to stay up to date with FBT issues issues relevant to small and medium-sized business clients, charities and not-for-profits.

Course Content

This course consists of 3 modules:

Module 1: FBT and Motor Vehicles

1. Key Updates for 2025
   1. Legislative changes impacting motor vehicle FBT calculations.
   2. Understanding the treatment of electric and hybrid vehicles.
2. Practical Applications
   1. Methods of valuation: statutory formula vs. operating cost.
   2. Common errors in record-keeping and reporting.
3. Case Studies
   1. Real-world examples of FBT implications for client fleets.
   2. Addressing employee contributions and logbook compliance.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will confidently navigate motor vehicle FBT issues, ensure compliance with recent updates, and provide strategic advice to clients.

Module 2: FBT and Audits

1. Preparing for an FBT Audit
   1. Common triggers for ATO audits in small and medium businesses.
   2. Audit readiness checklist for accountants.
2. Best Practices for Documentation
   1. Essential records for FBT substantiation.
   2. Streamlining processes to reduce audit risks.
3. Audit Case Studies
   1. Lessons learned from recent ATO audits.
   2. Strategies to address identified compliance issues.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn to proactively prepare clients for potential audits, ensuring robust documentation and minimizing exposure to penalties.

Module 3: FBT in the Not-for-Profit Sector

1. Unique Considerations for NFPs
   1. FBT exemptions and concessions applicable to NFPs.
   2. Salary packaging and its compliance implications.
2. Challenges in Managing FBT
   1. Identifying fringe benefits in diverse operations.
   2. Navigating entertainment and gift benefits for staff.
3. Key Updates for 2025
   1. Legislative changes specific to the NFP sector.
   2. ATO guidance on high-risk areas.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of FBT obligations in the Not-for-Profit sector, ensuring compliance with exemptions and concessions while effectively managing salary packaging, entertainment benefits, and legislative updates for 2025.

Course Structure

• Learners can complete courses at a place that suits them, within and outside work hours
• Each learner will have a dedicated login to give them personal access to their course
• Module material includes supporting resources,PowerPoint Slides, templates and articles
• All modules also incorporate assessment tasks that encourage learners to develop practical actions demonstrating understanding of the concepts
• All assessment tasks are scored, with directed feedback to learners on their response
• As the learner progresses, they develop their personal SMART action list to drive change
• Managers are able to see at a glance how their staff are progressing
• All learners have access to course content for 12 months following their enrolment

Learning Process

Our self-paced eLearning courses follow a 4-step process in relation to learning objectives:

All modules are structured with specific learning objectives and assessment tasks. Learners are expected to demonstrate that they understand learning objectives and can apply concepts through completion of the assessment tasks. A SMART action planning template is used to consolidate specific actions and to ensure that a timeframe for completion is established and followed. Regular review of progress is ensured through commitment to completing the course.