Australia to Review Taxation of Stock Options

Three Australian government ministries announced two reviews to determine how to better support technology startups in Australia. Member of Parliament David Bradbury noted that he has received input that the "Government should look at the framework around employee share schemes with an eye to supporting the development of start-ups in Australia." The reviews will include a focus on stock options, which in Australia are taxed on vesting.

Along similar lines, a report commissioned by Google and written by PwC on the impact of tech startups on Australia's economy concludes that the regulatory environment for startups could be improved if the government brings the tax treatment of options "in line with the UK and the US."