Uber BV has lodged an application in the Federal Court to challenge the ATO’s view on GST in relation to ride-sharing drivers.
In May 2015, the ATO released information on its website providing its view of the tax obligations of people providing services in the sharing economy.
The ATO was of the view that people who provide ride-sourcing (or ride-sharing) services were providing “taxi travel” under the GST law, and were therefore required to register for GST regardless of turnover, charge GST on full fare amounts, lodge BASs and report income in their tax returns. The ATO had given ride-sourcing drivers until 1 August 2015 to obtain their ABN and be registered for GST.
However, in a company statement, Uber argued that the ATO’s position unfairly targets Uber’s driver-partners. In the meantime, the ATO has maintained its view that people who provide ride-sourcing services are providing “taxi travel” under the GST law, and that it expects all ride-sourcing drivers to be registered for GST.
TIP: According to the ATO, although ride-sourcing drivers need to account for the GST on full fare amounts, they can also claim GST credits for relevant business expenses. The ATO says drivers must report income earned from providing ride-sourcing services; however, they can also claim deductible business costs. Please contact our office for assistance.
