1. Tax Office targets crypto and home office expenses

The Tax Office hit list has been revealed and these are the tax deductions that could get you into trouble. Cryptocurrencies, about 2.6 million investment properties and the boom in working from home will be among the prime targets for the ATO. The AFR says the Tax Office expects the impact of lockdowns and COVID-19 to result in fewer claims for travel and dry-cleaning of uniforms, so home office and data expenses as well as trading losses on cryptocurrencies will be closely looked at.

2. Zoom into work from home

Most bosses want their employees back at work, but one CEO wants his and lots of other workers to stay at home. His name is Eric Yuan and he’s the CEO whose business has boomed because of the Coronavirus. That business is Zoom and he told a tech conference yesterday that a proven hybrid work is here to stay, arguing that younger employees – particularly Millennials and Gen Z workers – will not return to the office on a full-time basis. If he’s right, it’s bad news for CBD businesses and his company looks like a great investment.

3. What does a Sydney lockdown cost?

As Sydney goes close to a full on lockdown, accounting firm has calculated the cost. Covid lockdowns and border closures punched an $80 billion revenue black hole in our tourism sector last year, as international holiday-maker arrivals collapsed.  Domestically, tourism saw 45 million fewer hotel and motel stays. And industry experts insist a better vaccination program is needed but the Pfizer vaccine won’t be here on mass until October.

4. The Pope meets Spider-Man

An unlikely visitor to the Vatican shook hands with Pope Francis during his weekly general audience on Wednesday. Spider-Man -– who turned out to be 28-year-old Mattia Villardita from Italy – wears the costume during visits to sick kids in hospitals.

5. Nasdaq edges higher to new record as Dow and S&P 500 fall

The Nasdaq reached another record-high close overnight after rising 184.6 points or 0.13% to 14,271.73, outperforming both the Dow Jones, which fell 71.34 points or 0.21% to 33,874.24, and the S&P 500, which dipped 4.60 points or 0.11% to 4,241.84.