The ATO published on 16 December 2021 the long-awaited final Practice Compliance Guideline PCG 2021/4 for the allocation of profits by professional firms.

Critically, the start date has been deferred to 1 July 2022, and there is now a 2 year transitional period to 1 July 2024 for arrangements that were low risk under the Suspended Guidelines.

Otherwise, the final PCG is substantially the same as the draft, albeit with more examples as to how the ATO would apply the guidelines, and with some concessions around the risk factors.

The deferred start date provides professional services businesses (management and partners) appropriate time to consider the impact of the PCG on their business structures, remuneration and compliance obligations. We will be publishing information on next steps as developments emerge.

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The ATO has finalised the Practical Compliance Guidelines (PCG) for the allocation of profits by professional firms. Now what?

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Grant Thornton submission

Grant Thornton submission on Draft PCG 2021/D2 Allocation of professional firm profits – ATO compliance approach

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