Updated Bonus Partners - 1 January 2013 - 31 March 2013

[wafliron]

Maybe to be a bit of a downer here but there may be a provision against it at Making tax deductible gifts and contributions as I researched this when I was looking into Kiva loans. It would violate the provision that

no material benefit or advantage is received by the donor.

Just something to be aware of if you were to put through many thousands in deductions, I heard once that they don't even audit you if your deductions are less than 3K because that is the minimum cost of an audit.

Interesting, thanks for letting us all know. The Amex / MS Society co-branded donation page explicitly says "All donations over $2 are tax deductible" - I wonder if they've checked this out and these donations are still tax deductible somehow, or if they are unaware of the above provisions.

 

[knasty]

It would violate the provision that

no material benefit or advantage is received by the donor.

The benefit you receive is from Amex, not the beneficiary of the donation. I can't see the ATO having an issue with this, or even having any chance of linking a donation to frequent flyer/reward miles.

 

[paultiffen]

I'm not sure that that matters but I'd say if it's posted on the site you have a reasonable basis to make the donation. Someone on here has to be a tax accountant

Anyway all I was saying is get advice before you go nuts or know that it's possibly risky

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

I'm not sure that that matters but I'd say if it's posted on the site you have a reasonable basis to make the donation. Someone on here has to be a tax accountant

Anyway all I was saying is get advice before you go nuts or know that it's possibly risky

With $ 150 at stake as a deduction I don't think it is something to worry about cutting your wrists over

 

[paultiffen]

Yeah exactly but if you tried donating 10000 expecting to get 4800 back....

 

[wafliron]

With $ 150 at stake as a deduction I don't think it is something to worry about cutting your wrists over

Agreed, but Paul's comments were in the context of the discussion about donating much more than $150 - taking advantage of the bonus many times over.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Agreed, but Paul's comments were in the context of the discussion about donating much more than $150 - taking advantage of the bonus many times over.

Then I would be relying on their statement that "donations over $ 2 are tax deductible"
if proven not to be true then surely they would be liable at law for misreprsentation and subject to civil damages if your claim was denied and you could show that the earning of the points and their representation was the reason you did it ??

 

[wafliron]

Then I would be relying on their statement that "donations over $ 2 are tax deductible"

So would I. But it's always good to know about potential risk in advance.

 

[burmans]

There is a question of materiality here too, small amount of FF points are not a material benefit. While not on this issue there is somewhere around on this forum a document where the ATO regards > 120K points a year as potentially material. Unfortunately I have no idea where it is to reference it.

While of course ATO can always argue that rulings are specific, given this ruling specifically addresses materiality and it is a published view, its harder to make that argument that smaller amounts are material (so they would be less likely to try) and does give a clear indication of ATO thinking.

 

[k3nnis]

Hi,

Should the new bonus partner listing me out by now? As it's July... The previous bonus partner listings seems to have expired on 30 June...

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Hi,

Should the new bonus partner listing me out by now? As it's July... The previous bonus partner listings seems to have expired on 30 June...

Bet the list gets smaller

 

[k3nnis]

Wouldn't be surprised!

 

[kyle]

Well the page appears to have disappeared altogether: https://www.americanexpress.com/australia/bonus-partners/index.html

 

[ChrisFlyer]

The page for the QF cards remains untouched (and out-of-date): http://www.americanexpress.com/australia/personal/cards/benefits/qantas_reward.shtml

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

The page for the QF cards remains untouched (and out-of-date): Credit Cards - The Qantas American Express Card - American Express Australia

Maybe it is being "enhanced" too ??

 

[greenfrog86]

Well the page appears to have disappeared altogether: https://www.americanexpress.com/australia/bonus-partners/index.html

That link doesn't work but the bonus points page certainly does exist.

Just go to 'rewards' on the home page and click 'earn bonus points'

 

[serfty]

Amex Bonus Rewards | HOME

 

[robd]

Move along - nothing to see here folks. :-|

 

[fkcn]

I rang AMEX yesterday about bonus partners as was planning to buy TV in Bing Lee for the extra 5000 points. Was told that current offers have all expired but new improved website with more partners will launch on Aug 1.

 

[k3nnis]

Looks like AMEX changed the look of the bonus points page but it looks like there are less partners! So hopefully they will actually bring something on Aug 1.

https://www.americanexpress.com/australia/bonus-partners/partners.html