Australian influencers have been put on notice by the Australian Taxation Office as a crackdown on undeclared luxury gifts gets under way.
The ATO said it will use a sophisticated set of 'data matching' technologies to weed-out influencers who are failing to report sponsorships as part of their income which can include handouts and holidays.
A spokesman warned the technology will be used to see if Insta-famous celebrities are owning up to their 'millionaire' lifestyles.
'If you are paid in-kind, such as with goods or other benefits - for example, being able to keep an item or outfit used in a post or being gifted something - you are subject to the same income tax and GST treatment as normal cash or credit payments,' the ATO told the .










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Sydney-based actor and influencer Suzan Mutesi (above) said it will be difficult for influencers to gauge the value of gifts they receive from companies










The Australia Taxation Office said it will be cracking down on influencers who don't claim non-cash payments as income after sharing posts with the hashtag 'gifted'

A high-profile accounting executive said the upcoming 'game-changing' policies will have many influencers rethinking whether 'gifts' are worth the extra tax.
'It is well and good to walk around with a $5,000 handbag but if you can't afford the tax, eVDeN EVE nAkliyat what is the point? It is a game-changer that will have influencers rethinking the situation,' they said.
A celebrity agent agreed, adding 'the gravy train is over for influencers' who can't afford to pay cash for expensive presents.
'A crackdown will take a much-needed weed whacker to the infestations of wannabe Kardashians of late,' the agent said.
However, Sydney-based actor and influencer Suzan Mutesi said it could be difficult for some influencers to determine the value of their gifts.
She said many non-cash payments given to influencers can be sample designs that were never intended to be sold, goods made specifically for them or invitations to exclusive holidays and events.






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