Financial Abuse of Older People

Grahame Allen • Oct 02, 2019

An incidence of financial abuse of an older person may be intentional and clearly wrong, perhaps involving illegal activity, in which case it is likely to be easier to identify. Abuse is not always easy to identify however. Sometimes arrangements, originally motivated by good intentions, gradually erode into financial abuse, as the perpetrator succumbs to the temptation of opportunity, misguided feelings of entitlement, or even perhaps revenge for perceived past injustices.

Although recognising the potential for financial abuse of an older person may not always be easy, there are a number of factors which, if present, may indicate a heightened danger of abuse and encourage the practitioner to ask more questions and to be more alert.

Consider whether they appear to be: vulnerable

isolated

WHAT IS FINANCIAL ABUSE?

There are a number of definitions of what constitutes financial abuse of older people.

The   World Health Organisation   defines financial abuse of an older person as, "The illegal or improper exploitation or use of funds or other resources of the older person". The definition includes acts with adverse outcomes committed not only by people known to and trusted by the victim, but also acts perpetrated by strangers and by institutions.

Abuse may be intentional or unintentional. Intentional financial abuse is defined in Monash University's  Protecting Elders' Assets Study , as "the separation of a person from the benefit of their assets for the benefit of another, involving deliberate intention". Unintended abuse is "the inadvertent or uninformed financial mismanagement or neglect of financial assets which causes the deprivation of benefits to be derived from those assets".

The following are given in the study as common examples of financial abuse:

  • theft
  • misappropriation or misuse of money, property or assets
  • exerting undue influence to give away assets or gifts
  • putting undue pressure on the older person to accept lower-cost or lower-quality services in order to preserve more financial resources to be passed to beneficiaries on death
  • carrying out unnecessary work or overcharging for a service
  • misuse of powers of attorney
  • denial to access funds
  • failure to repay loans
  • living with the older person and refusing to contribute money for expenses
  • forging or forcing an older person's signature
  • promising long-term care in exchange for money or property and then not providing the promised care
  • getting an older person to sign a will, contract or power of attorney through deception, coercion or undue influence
  • abusing joint signatory authority on a blank form
  • getting an older person to be a guarantor for a loan where the benefit of the loan is for someone else without sufficient information or knowledge to make an informed decision.

INDICATORS OF POTENTIAL FINANCIAL ABUSE

It is common for close family and friends to be well intentioned in their planning for care of an older person. Their intentions may stem from over protectiveness or a sense of obligation.

The range of acts or omissions that constitute abuse occur along a continuum: at one end, harm results from a poor understanding of an older person's needs; at the other, harm results from aggression and serious physical assault. In different circumstances, different sorts of interventions are required.

Abuse may occur as a result of an inability to cope, frustration, ignorance or negligence. Abuse can be unintentional or deliberate. Some forms of abuse are criminal acts, for example, physical and sexual abuse. Other types, such as financial misappropriation, may not reach the level of criminality, but may require redress through guardianship or civil proceedings. Other situations might be best regarded as forms of domestic violence, with interventions shaped accordingly. Economic abuse is included in the   definition   of family and domestic violence.

Remember, in most cases you will be looking at potential elder abuse and your objective will be to ensure that the older person is making an independent and informed decision and has considered and canvassed the full implications of any transactions and possible changes in circumstances into the future.

WARNING SIGNS AND INDICATORS

Senior Rights Victoria   has listed the following signs and risk factors, which may indicate potential financial abuse.

  • promises of "good care" in exchange for transferring property or money to the carer
  • gear, stress or anxiety expressed by the older person
  • unfamiliar, new or forged signatures on cheques and documents
  • the older person has given their bank PIN number to another person
  • the older person is unable to access bank accounts or statements themselves
  • large, unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
  • sudden transfer of assets at a time when the older person may no longer be competent to manage their own affairs
  • accounts suddenly switched to another financial institution or branch
  • drastic changes in the types of banking activities – erratic or uncharacteristic
  • drastic changes to a will, power or attorney or other legal documents
  • valuable assets, such as a car, jewellery or artworks go missing
  • signs of physical or psychological abuse of the older person
  • no money available for aged care bond when there should be money available
  • no money to pay bills when there should be, for example, older persons complains of no heating when in fact they can afford it
  • an increase in the number of unpaid bills handled by a family member
  • an absence or lack of amenities when the older person seemingly can afford them, for example, television, clothes, clean linen
  • secretiveness of the older person
  • secretiveness of the "carer" – siblings not being informed
  • a family member is borrowing against a major asset owned by the older person
  • older person is regularly paying someone else's bills
  • the "carer" is an adult child, living with the older person, who does not appear to be contributing to the housekeeping expenses
  • older person expresses concern about missing funds
  • older person complains of no longer receiving any mail.

RISK FACTORS

The following factors, if present, indicate the person may be at risk of financial abuse. The practitioner should be vigilant for signs of abuse, such as:

  • physical frailty
  • lacking self-confidence
  • dependency on others for basic needs
  • reduced capacity to understand information or make decisions
  • isolation from neighbours, family or the community
  • a trusting relationship with a person who has influence over decisions
  • appearance of not being in control of their affairs
  • evidence of undue influence of a family member
  • unkempt or unclean appearance
  • lack of formal arrangements for care and management of financial affairs
  • history of physical or other forms of abuse
  • apparent lack of a loving relative who clearly cares for the older person's welfare
  • impatience or secretiveness of person purporting to manage the older person's affairs
  • language difficulties, requiring a family member to translate
  • the older person suffers from dementia and is aggressive and difficult to manage.

SIGNS OF POSSIBLE LACK OF CAPACITY

The following factors, if present, may indicate a lack of capacity on behalf of the older person:

  • poor concentration – limited ability to interact with practitioner or to repeat advice and ask key questions
  • appears overwhelmed
  • difficulty with recall or memory loss
  • ongoing difficulty with communications – difficult to understand
  • lack of mental flexibility – not open to even hearing about options or risks
  • poor insight or judgment
  • problems with simple calculations which they did not have previously
  • sense that "something about the client has changed".

Financial abuse of older people is usually accompanied by other forms of abuse. Where there is a history or evidence of physical, psychological or sexual abuse, or where a beneficiary appears to exercise undue influence over the older person, or where the older person appears fearful and reluctant to speak in the presence of a person with influence over their affairs, financial abuse should also be suspected.

Trust reporting changes from 1 July 2024

By Grahame Allen • 26 Apr, 2024
Changes to simplify reporting for trustees and beneficiaries are commencing from 1 July 2024 as a part of the Modernisation of Trust Administration Systems (MTAS) project. From that date, labels in the statement of distribution, which is a part of the trust tax return, will be modified, a new schedule will be introduced for all trust beneficiary types, and new data validations will be added. Looking at each of these changes in depth, from the 2023-24 income year and onward, four new capital gains tax (CGT) labels have been added into the trust tax return statement of distribution. These changes will enhance the ability of trustees to appropriately notify beneficiaries of their entitlement to income and support the calculation of the CGT amount in individual tax returns. The ATO recommends that all beneficiaries obtain copies of the trust statement of distribution as it relates to their individual entitlements. This will allow beneficiaries to include the correct information in the new trust income schedule. The trust income schedule instructions will demonstrate how the information on the tax statement provided should be reported on the trust income schedule. This also includes trust income from a managed fund. It should be noted that beneficiaries will still need to complete existing trust income labels in beneficiary income tax returns as this new trust income schedule will not replace any existing trust income labels. Individual beneficiaries who lodge via MyTax will receive prompts about the additional reporting of trust income. In addition to these reporting changes, the ATO has reminded trustees that where beneficiaries’ entitlements reflected in trust resolutions are subsequently changed by either arguing the resolution as invalid, defective or made at a different time, it should be notified as an affected party where the change triggers tax consequences. For context, to ensure that beneficiaries are presently entitled to trust income, discretionary trusts are usually required to make a resolution by 30 June of any specific income year. For those specifically entitled to a capital gain, trustees of discretionary trusts must make a resolution in respect of that capital gain by 31 August following the income year in which the capital gain is made. According to the ATO, high-risk behaviours by trustees can include altering trust resolutions after tax returns are lodged, failing to inform the ATO of errors in trust deeds or their administration, and making decisions that affect the tax liabilities of a trust, such as early vesting, without notifying the ATO. These actions can lead to disputes over entitlements, amended assessments, and the potential for tax fraud or evasion charges if the issues are not promptly and transparently addressed with the ATO. The ATO notes that it is critical for trustees of trusts to maintain open and honest communication with the ATO, as failure to do so may lead to serious consequences, including the possibility of amended tax assessments for fraud or evasion (which are not limited by the standard four-year review period) and the imposition of significant penalties. The need for trustees to promptly advise the ATO of any mistakes in the trust deed or in the administration of the trust to prevent legal and financial complications cannot be overstated.

Old ATO debts: IGTO weighs in

By Grahame Allen • 19 Apr, 2024
In response to the ATO's recent actions on re-activating or off-setting old debts, the Commonwealth Ombudsman/ACT Ombudsman, and the Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) have jointly issued new guidelines aimed at improving how Australians are notified about government debts. The publication outlines principles designed to ensure that the process of debt notification is handled with transparency, clarity and sensitivity towards impacted individuals. Mr Iain Anderson, serving as both Commonwealth Ombudsman and ACT Ombudsman, together with Ms. Karen Payne, Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman, emphasized the importance of government agencies adopting a compassionate and principled approach when dealing with debt notification. "While the law may require agencies to take certain actions, it is crucial that these actions are taken in a manner that minimizes distress," they stated. The guidelines propose five key principles for the ATO and other government departments to consider when conducting programs: Transparency and Accountability - agencies should communicate clearly why the debt has arisen, fostering trust and confidence in the process. Clarity on the Debt's Origin - individuals should understand the source and nature of the debt, tailored to the recipient's circumstances. Clear Pathways for Review - information on how to request a review of the debt, apply for waivers, and arrange repayments should be readily accessible, ensuring individuals understand their rights and options. Accessible Support - contacts for further assistance must be provided, acknowledging that people may have additional questions or need personalized support. Commitment to Improvement - the process of debt recovery should be viewed as an opportunity to learn and enhance future practices based on oversight recommendations and past experiences. Also noted was the significance of reflecting on past interactions and the recommendations from oversight bodies to continually elevate how agencies engage with the community regarding sensitive matters such as debt recovery. Taxpayers who have an unresolved complaint or dispute with the ATO are able to lodge a dispute with the IGTO to receive independent assurance. IGTO will conduct an independent investigation of the actions and decisions that are subject of the dispute and can help taxpayers better understand the actions taken by the ATO and/or independently verify whether shortcomings exist in ATO’s action or decision which should be rectified, as well as identifying other options taxpayers may have to resolve their concerns. For example, in one case study, the IGTO assisted a taxpayer to verify whether the full amount of general interest charge had been remitted on their tax debts. In another, after a taxpayer’s original request for the Commissioner to exercise his discretion to advance their refund instead of offsetting against their tax debt due to imminent risk of homelessness was denied, the taxpayer lodged a dispute with the IGTO. Following urgent discussions between the IGTO and senior ATO officers, the ATO reversed their decision, and the taxpayer received his refund. The IGTO can also intervene in cases where the ATO has used family assistance payments to offset tax debts. According to another one of IGTO’s case studies, the ATO used a Centrelink Family Assistance (CFA) payment to offset a tax debt that a taxpayer had. At the time, the taxpayer was unemployed and supported two minors along with an ageing parent and relied on the payment. After IGTO intervention, the ATO agreed to refund the offset recognising it was not appropriate to pursue debt collection given the circumstances. Taxpayers interested in lodging a dispute with the IGTO should note that they must have first attempted to resolve the complaint directly with the ATO unless special circumstances exist. Those that remain unsatisfied with the ATO response should then lodge a formal complaint with the ATO for review. If taxpayers are still unsatisfied with the outcome of the ATO review, they can then lodge a dispute with the IGTO for an independent investigation either online or via post or phone.

Get ready for FBT time

By Grahame Allen • 12 Apr, 2024
The end of the FBT year is upon us once again. Employers that have provided their employees with fringe benefits any time during the 2024 FBT year – 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 – will need to lodge an FBT return and pay any liability by 28 May 2024. With the landscape of FBT evolving every year due to legislative amendments and administrative updates, employers need to be mindful of the changes applying for the current FBT year. While the electric vehicle exemption came into effect on 1 July 2022, many employers have only recently started ramping up the purchase or leasing of electric vehicles due to a combination of waiting for previous leases to expire and a temporary shortage of electric vehicles. As a refresher, employers are now exempt from paying FBT on benefits related to eligible electric vehicles under the condition that the vehicles are zero or low emissions, first held and used after 1 July 2022, never subjected to luxury car tax, and utilised by current employees or their associates. It should be noted that car expenses associated with providing eligible electric vehicles are also exempt, which includes registration, insurance, repairs and maintenance and fuel (including the cost of electricity to charge electric cars). Other expenses that are not exempt may be reduced by the otherwise deductible rule if the expenditure would have been deductible to the employee had they incurred it themselves. To provide certainty for employers, the ATO recently issued Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/2, offering guidance on calculating electricity costs for charging electric vehicles at an employee’s home. This guideline provides a methodology for employers and individuals to calculate electricity costs, either by using the outlined approach or by determining the actual cost, facilitating the inclusion of these costs in FBT and income tax calculations. In addition, employers that provide cars to their employees should also be aware of the recent updates to the car parking fringe benefits to reflect the latest Taxation Ruling, TR 2021/2, offering clarity on modern car parking arrangements and compliance requirements. In another change for the 2024 FBT year, the ATO has simplified employee declarations in relation to some fringe benefits to ease the administrative burden for both employees and employers. The new declarations remove the requirement for employees to declare the make and model of cars for specific transport-related benefits, including remote area holiday transport and overseas employment holiday transport, among others. Similar to previous FBT years, employers that lodge FBT returns electronically through tax practitioners will have access to a deferred due and payment date of 25 June. This only applies to electronic lodgments and any paper returns lodged through tax practitioners will still have 25 May as the due and payment date. For employers that have registered for FBT but do not need to lodge a return for the 2024 FBT year, a notice of non-lodgment should be submitted to the ATO by the time the FBT return would normally be due (ie by either 25 May or 25 June) to prevent the ATO from seeking a return at a later date. The regulatory environment surrounding FBT continues to evolve; for example, recently the ATO registered instruments to allow employers the option to utilise existing records instead of statutory evidentiary documents for certain benefits from 1 April 2024 (ie the 2025 FBT year). Therefore it is crucial to stay up-to-date and well-informed to navigate the complexities of FBT compliance.
More Posts
Share by: