Latest Blogs
5 Financial Tasks You Shouldn’t DIY as a Small Business Owner
Running a business means handling many tasks, but some tasks are better left to experts. At the same time, DIY may seem like a way to reduce extra costs, but when it comes to your business finances, doing everything yourself can result in bigger problems - higher...
Do I Need A Separate TFN for My Business?
A Tax File Number is important for Australian workers. It helps ensure you pay the right amount of tax and supports you in various other government dealings. Without a Tax File Number, certain forms of business will not qualify for an ABN. In this blog post, we’ll...
Can You Claim Car Repairs On Tax?
As a small business owner, you depend on your car to travel between sites, transport equipment and supplies, and drive to client meetings. When you drive, the chance of car wear and tear increases, which means you may have to face repair bills to keep your car in an...
A Guide to Living Away From Home Allowance Fringe Benefits
What is a Living Away From Home Allowance Fringe Benefit? An allowance you pay to an employee is considered a living-away-from-home allowance (LAFHA) fringe benefit if the following conditions apply: The employee’s responsibilities require them to live away from their...
How to Vary Your PAYG Instalments: A Simple Guide
Should you vary your PAYG Instalments? Pay As You Go (PAYG) Instalments are prepayments of your income tax for the year. If your total PAYG Instalments will be more or less than your expected income tax for the year, you can change the amount you pay. If your...
What Affects Your Eligibility for Annual GST Reporting?
GST Annual Return If you are liable to file an annual GST return, you need to file and pay any amounts owing by the date mentioned on the front of the return. You need to file and pay any GST owing by that due date. If you have received an annual GST return, this is...
What Impacts Your ATO Refund Processing Time?
When Does the ATO Hold a Refund? From 1 January 2025, the ATO has the authority to hold refunds for up to 90 days where the ATO doesn’t have your financial institution details (FID). Currently, it applies to: Income tax refunds Fringe Benefits Tax refunds. If the ATO...
GST Registration Cancellation Rules and Requirements
When Can You Cancel Your GST Registration? You or your registered BAS or tax agent can cancel your GST registration within 21 days of: Closing or selling your business Changing your business structure – this includes changing from a partnership to a company, unless...
Understanding Reportable Fringe Benefits for Employees
What are Reportable Fringe Benefits? If you receive fringe benefits with a total taxable value of above $2,000 in a fringe benefits tax (FBT) year (1 April to 31 March), your employer will report this amount to the ATO. Some benefits don’t have to be reported to the...
Tips for Handling Unexpected Expenses with an Accountant
Running a business comes with various opportunities and surprises. These surprises bring unexpected expenses that can shake the most carefully balanced budgets. Whether it’s unforeseen regulatory changes, sudden equipment failure, or urgent staffing requirements,...
How Can You Reduce Your FBT Liability?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can reduce your FBT liability using alternatives to fully fringe benefits or offering concessional benefits. Providing benefits eligible for employee deduction You don’t incur a fringe benefits tax (FBT) liability if you...
Practical Tips to Prepare for an ATO Audit or Review
No one likes sudden surprises when it comes to tax matters. If you are running a small business, especially with staff, the thought of an ATO audit can be a bit stressful. Proper audit preparation requires businesses to maintain organised and clear financial records,...
The Real Financial Benefits of Hiring Accountant
Small businesses have to compete with much larger and more established companies. This can make them more vulnerable to losing their hard-earned money, as they don’t have the same level of infrastructure or staff that established organisations do. This is why small...
Smartest Financial Planning Questions to Ask Your Accountant
Whether you are a startup or running a large organisation, it is essential to daily check your company’s financial status, assess your business expenses, and make logical estimations and decisions that will positively impact your business growth. Professional...
Using Business Money for Personal Use: What You Must Report
You are required to report money and assets taken from your trust or company as income on your tax return. You will understand how money taken out of your business, or using business assets for personal use, must be reported and recorded for tax purposes. It applies...
Has Your Small Business Outgrown DIY Accounting?
Startup businesses often start recording financial transactions using simple spreadsheets and DIY bookkeeping. In the starting stage, monitoring and recording transactions feels manageable, and managing the basics yourself can save money. However, when your business...
From BAS Error to Compliance: A Business Owner’s Guide
Did you know that there are many business owners who make BAS mistakes? BAS mistakes not only cost them money but can also put their business at risk. A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a report that business owners need to file with the Australian Taxation Office...
Car Parking and FBT: What Australian Employers Need to Know
What is a Car Parking Fringe Benefit? As an employer, you offer a car parking fringe benefit on any day that all following occur: Your employees park their car in a place that you own, control or lease (your business premises) is near or at their primary place of...
Understanding Operating Expense Deductions for Businesses
What are Operating Expenses? Operating expenses are expenses you have to pay for or have paid for in the everyday running of your business. Here are some examples of operating expenses: renting premises, office stationery, and the purchase of trading stock. These...
When Do You Need to Register for PAYG Withholding?
Understanding your obligations under Australia’s Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding system is essential for staying compliant and avoiding unnecessary penalties. In this blog, we’ll discuss when you are required to register for PAYG withholding, who it applies to, and...
What Tool and Equipment Deductions Can You Claim for Work?
Did you know you can claim deductions for tools and equipment you use for work? Yes, you’ve heard it right. But you must know what tools and equipment expenses you can claim as a deduction. In this blog, we’ll list tools and equipment eligible for deductions....
Key Legislative Updates: Recent Tax and Regulatory Measures
Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Systems and Other Measures) Act 2025 The Act received Royal assent on 4 December 2025 and is now law. It extends the $20,000 instant asset write-off for eligible small businesses with turnover under $10 million by 12...
From the Regulators: What’s New Across Tax, Super, GST and Compliance
Remission Requests for Interest and Penalties From 22 January 2026, registered tax and BAS agents must use the approved remission application form to request the remission of general interest charge (GIC), shortfall interest charge (SIC) or failure to lodge (FTL)...
Government Updates Impacting Tax, R&D Tax Incentives and Superannuation
Division 296 Exposure draft legislation has been released by the government for consultation on the Better Targeted Super Concessions measure announced in October 2025. Schedules 1 and 3 of the draft Bill, along with the draft Imposition Bill, propose the introduction...
Key ATO Rulings, Compliance Updates and Tax Guidance You Need to Know
Personal Services Businesses and Part IVA The Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2025/5 has been released by the ATO, which explains when arrangements are considered low risk or high risk for the application of Part IVA. The guideline focuses on scenarios where...
Deductions for Salaries, Wages and Super Contributions
In this blog, we’ll discuss how business owners can claim a tax deduction for employee salaries, wages, and super contributions. When Can You Claim a Deduction? As a business owner, you can apply to claim a tax deduction for: the wages and salaries you pay to...
Which Business Travel Expenses Qualify for Tax Deductions?
You can claim tax deductions for business travel expenses. Now, you may be wondering: What expenses can I claim? In this blog, we’ll discuss expenses that you can claim and what expenses cannot be considered business travel expenses. What Expenses Can You Claim? As a...
Are Digital Product Expenses Tax-Deductible for Businesses?
If you are running a business in Australia, you can claim a tax deduction for the cost of digital products that are used in running your business. Let’s explore more about tax deductions for digital product expenses. Understanding Deductions for Digital Product...
Charged GST Incorrectly: What Should You Do?
You might be wondering what the consequences can be if you charge GST incorrectly on a sale and include excess GST in your BAS. Incorrectly Charged GST Excess GST is when you treat something as taxable incorrectly and include GST for it in your business activity...
How Does PSI Impact PAYG Obligations?
If you or your business receives personal services income (PSI), you may have to meet certain PAYG withholding obligations. Under the Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding rules, you need to collect tax from payments made to employees and some businesses so they can meet...