Fundamentals of Tax 2025-2026: Fringe benefits tax (FBT) package

This package provides tax practitioners with a practical and structured understanding of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), a critical but often overlooked area of employer tax obligations. Participants will gain the skills to identify fringe benefits, calculate their taxable value, determine eligibility for key exemptions, and accurately complete and lodge an FBT return. The sessions address real-world issues faced by employers, including car benefits, meal entertainment, and common misconceptions in small businesses.

Across the 2 sessions, participants will be able to: 

FBT: Core Rules

• Determine whether an FBT return needs to be lodged and identify the existence of taxable fringe benefits.
• Calculate the taxable value of common fringe benefits, including cars and entertainment.
• Assess eligibility for minor benefits and work-related items exemptions.
• Evaluate when entertainment expenses give rise to FBT, GST obligations, and affect income tax deductions.

FBT Return Preparation 

• Understand why some small businesses (e.g., family-owned) may not lodge an FBT return.
• Explain the basic FBT framework, including gross-up rates and how they impact reporting.

Prepare an FBT return, addressing issues related to:

• Cars and car parking
• Expense payments
• Property and residual fringe benefits

• Define meal entertainment and distinguish between the 50:50 split method and actual method for reporting in an FBT return.