Third time unlucky: Optical Superstores held liable for payroll tax on patient fees transferred to optometrists under occupancy agreements

In the most recent chapter of the battle between the Victorian State Revenue Office and The Optical Superstore Pty Ltd, the Commissioner of State Revenue has claimed victory, with the Court of Appeal finding on 12 September 2019 that transfers of funds made to optometrists by Optical Superstore were subject to payroll tax under Victorian law.

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Whose equipment and expenses?

When considering whether an allied health worker is an employee or a contractor, one factor to consider is in respect of the provision of tools, equipment and other assets required to undertake the work.

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Controlling the contractor

The measure of control exercised by one party over the other is an important factor in determining the nature of the relationship between a purported contractor and principal, or employee and employer.

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Medical and allied health practices – your tax obligations

The tax obligations on a practice in relation to an employment relationship are often perceived as being significantly more costly (and restrictive) compared to simply engaging a practitioner as an independent contractor. However tread carefully when making this decision, as getting your characterisation of a worker wrong can be even more costly and you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

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Ownership of medical records – yours, mine or ours?

Upon the termination of a relationship between the practice and practitioner, who will retain the patient records? Where will they be stored? Is the practitioner permitted to access the records, or make a copy?

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Contractor vs Employee – Shifting Sands for Medical and Allied Health Practices

Medical, dental and allied health professional structures have and continue to be designed to engage professional staff that are labelled and treated as independent business operators known as “independent contractors”.

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