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Budget 2024 – Wrap Up Video

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Your company isn’t a bank account: loan to a business right

You're finally your own boss, and in its early days, the business needs upstart funds. Such as a loan to a business, to sustain it until it finds its own feet. But you can't move funding sources in and out like in a bank account, and the ATO…
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Can the ATO make a tax debt invisible to you?

For both individuals and small business owners, the idea of tax debt with unseen consequences is worrisome. It can impact future financial operations without clear signals or the usual pathways to address it. Usually when you owe a tax debt,…
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EV FBT exemption hitches: cautions for 2024

The clock ticks towards March 31st, the end of the Fringe Benefits Tax year. Employers are gearing up for “Check your Odometer Day” to report their car usage in the hopes of saving on their electric vehicle tax (EV FBT). But under the…
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Last minute Stage 3 Tax Cuts redesigned

Finally bringing down the knife: the Federal Government released a proposal to realign and redistribute personal income tax cuts legislation, to commence on 1 July 2024, for the 2025 financial return year. [Edit 14th March 2024]: on the…
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House flipping tax incoming: a taxpayer claims a loss on her home

Flipping houses is a popular way, thanks to TV shows, for Australians looking for a profit renovating a property in order to sell it in the short term. But the reality is less glamorous: taxpayers may soon have to pay a house flipping tax…
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A summary of all business tax changes this year

Employers & business Superannuation guarantee increases to 11% from 10.5% National and Award minimum wage increases take effect. The minimum salary that must be paid to a sponsored employee - the Temporary Skilled Migration…

The Billion Dollar TikTok Scandal

$1.7 billion paid out in fraudulent refunds, another $2.7bn in fraudulent claims stopped, around 56,000 alleged perpetrators and over 100 arrests to date. How did the TikTok tax scandal get out of control? “Everyone else got refunds,…

Optimised Accounting is moving office

On the 14th of August 2023, we're moving to 89 Simcock Avenue, Spotswood! We are thrilled to announce that our new office is strategically situated 7km from the CBD (and 300m from the Spotswood rail station) to be convenient for all our…
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Rental Property Reporting Blitz

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has launched a full-on assault on rental property owners who incorrectly report income and expenses. The ATO’s assessment, based on previous data matching programs, is that there is a tax gap of…
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Tax obligations for online content creators

The explosion of OnlyFans, YouTubers, TikTokers and others all offer an opportunity for ‘content creators’ to profit from the audiences they generate. But now the Tax Office has given notice to the booming industry. Back in October…
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Inflation deflating your small business: 7 adjustment tips

Inflation is a term that we've all heard quite frequently lately, with rates rapidly increasing. Small businesses are particularly feeling the effects of inflation, with supplies costing more, employee shortages, and shrinking profits. In…
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$3 million+ Super balance nest eggs will get their tax doubled

The Government has announced that from 2025‑26, the 15% concessional tax rate applied to future earnings for superannuation balances above $3 million will increase to 30%. In a very quick turnaround from announcement to draft legislation,…
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Super to be paid per paycheck and pursuable if owed

As announced in the 2023 May Budget, from 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super guarantee entitlements on the same day that they pay salary and wages. Currently, super guarantee is paid quarterly. The Government…
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Instant Asset Write Offs (IAWO) capped to $20k again

From 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2024, the Government will change the instant asset write-off threshold to $20,000. Previously, 'small' businesses under a turnover of $500 million, could immediately deduct assets acquired from 6 October 2020…
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Slower asset write offs, some tweaks & changes to tax, and more money for ATO compliance!

Last year we had a double deal of government budgets, and without even coming full circle yet, it's time for this year's budget. https://vimeo.com/825343630   Businesses have limitations and compliance warnings to be aware of,…
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Why your tax return will be $1500 worse this year

For the past couple of years, you may have gotten used to your tax either costing less than you remember, or your refund being more generous. More money for you to spend on necessities, or an extra treat for the holidays. But that won't…
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Risky trust distribution loopholes plugged

The ATO has released its final position on how it will apply some integrity rules dealing with trust distributions - changing the goal posts for trusts distributing to adult children, corporate beneficiaries, and entities with losses. As…
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What Work from Home deductions apply for me?

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has updated its approach to how you claim expenses for working from home. The ATO has ‘refreshed’ the way you can claim deductions for the costs you incur when you work from home. From 1 July 2022…
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Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms

The Government’s ‘Secure Jobs, Better Pay’ legislation passed Parliament on 2 December 2022. We explore the issues. The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 passed Parliament on 2 December 2020.…
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Essential business de-cluttering for the new year

The end of the year tends to be a bit chaotic for business owners, but it's actually a good time to get some extra housekeeping done for your business. Read on for some tips to help you finish the year neatly and feel prepared to face the…
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Extension to domestic violence leave

Employees in Australia will soon have access to paid family and domestic violence leave. Business owners and employers should be aware of these changes as the paid family and domestic violence leave means you will have to pay up to 10 days of…
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Another 1% interest around the bend?

Low interest rates have been a mainstay since the global financial crisis of 2008. When the pandemic hit, Governments pushed stimulus measures through the economy and central banks reduced interest rates even further. Coming out of COVID,…
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Queensland backs down on Australia wide land tax

The Queensland Government has backed away from an amendment that would have seen the land tax rate for investment property in Queensland assessed on the value of the investor’s Australia wide land holdings from 1 July 2023, not just the…
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To cut or not to cut? Stage three personal tax cuts

In September, amid a climate of startling interest rates, UK Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced a series of tax cuts, including the reduction of the top personal income tax rate that applies to those earning more than £150,000 from 45%…
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What to expect from the new Government

Anthony Albanese has been sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister and a Government formed. We look at what we know so far about the policies of the new Government in an environment with plenty of problems and no easy fixes. The economy The…
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What’s changing on 1st July 2022?

FOR BUSINESS Superannuation guarantee increase to 10.5% The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate will rise from 10% to 10.5% on 1 July 2022 and will continue to increase by 0.5% each year until it reaches 12% on 1 July 2025. If you have…
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Superannuation change from July 2022

There is a new employee superannuation change coming into effect from 1st July 2022. All employees now need to receive super On 11 May 2021, as part of the 2021–22 federal Budget, the Australian Government announced it will remove the…
Trusts and trust distribution changes

Trusts and Trust Distribution changes in 2022

Late last month, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released a package of new guidance material that directly targets how trusts distribute income. Many family groups will pay higher taxes (now and potentially retrospectively) as a result…

Tax warning letter… to Santa

If Santa was an Australian tax resident: a laugh A lighter look at the complexity of Australian taxation laws and the year that has been.   To santa, Thank you for the opportunity to provide strategic business, tax and compliance…
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What is Director ID?

In its 2020 Budget Digital Business Plan, the Australian government announced the full implementation of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program. The program is designed to both establish the new Australian Business Registry Services…

Covid-19 support to roll back

COVID-19 support will roll back as states and territories reach vaccination targets. The National Plan, the road map out of COVID-19, does more than provide greater freedoms at 70% and 80% full vaccination rates, it withdraws the steady stream…
stapled super
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What is a Stapled Super Fund?

  There's a change to superannuation that means to comply with 'choice of fund' rules you might need to do something extra when a new employee starts to work for you. Previously, if a new employee doesn't choose their own super…
Construction grant
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Construction support

On the 2nd October the Victoria Government announced they would support construction businesses with cash grants for the 2 week closure of the construction industry. Applications are now open. If you are a managed business client of ours,…
October support for businesses
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Victorian business support for October

The Victorian Government has announced additional funding to help support businesses for the next 6 weeks up until a point where we should be at 80% double vaccination rate.In this article we have outlined the following:   1. Business…
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1st July 2021 changes

We’ve summarised the key 1st July 2021 changes and their implications. Most of them relate to superannuation: Super guarantee rate increase to 10% On 1 July 2021, the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate will rise from 9.5% to 10% -…
March business tax update
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Tax updates: March 2021

Individuals and small business owners who have taken advantage of the government’s COVID-19 support programs will find themselves increasingly under the tax man’s microscope in coming months. This is just one of the key developments occurring…

100% true blue

There is something that was on our radar for our business goals, and that was to be completely Xero focused. We find the Xero platform superior over others and find it far more beneficial to be highly skilled with the best rather than some…
invest in your business
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Tax deductions for investing in your business

Stimulating investment is high on the Government’s agenda. To encourage spending, the 2020-21 Budget introduced a measure that allows businesses with turnover under $5bn* to immediately deduct the cost of new depreciable assets and the…
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2020 Budget wrap-up

This years budget is all about jobs In what has been billed as one of the most important budgets since the Great Depression, and the first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic dragged Australia into its first recession in almost 30 years,…
Business Survival & Adaptation Package

More support for Victorian Businesses

Over 2 days, the Victorian Government has announced two new support packages delivering over $3 billion in “cash grants, tax relief and cashflow support." There are almost no details on the packages as yet – just the announcements. We…
Covid support states and territories

Covid-19 support – State based

In addition to general waivers, reductions or rebates on some Government licensing and fees, each State and Territory has some form of support accessible to certain businesses impacted by COVID-19. Australian Capital Territory Support Description Closes Rate…
JobKeeper 2.0

JobKeeper 2.0

The first tranche of JobKeeper ends on 27 September 2020. Those needing further support will need to reassess their eligibility and prove an actual decline in turnover. To receive JobKeeper from 28 September 2020, eligible employers need…

Stage 4 lockdown – support for business

Additional business support has been announced to help eligible businesses with the latest restrictions. Weren't previously eligible for JobKeeper? Although you may not have qualified for JobKeeper originally, stage 4 lockdown may have…
jobseeker changes

JobSeeker changes

On 21 July 2020, The Government announced changes the COVID-19 income support measures. We explore the details. Coronavirus supplement The Coronavirus supplement will continue, albeit on a reduced rate of $250 per fortnight (from $550), from…
Business Support Fund

Victorian Business Support Fund

The Victorian Government has announced that Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ will be in reinstated across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 11:59 on 8 July 2020 to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. These restrictions…
ATO targeting covid fraud

ATO targeting Covid-19 fraud

We always knew that a Government scheme swiftly distributing cash during a crisis was going to come with equally swift compliance and review measures, particularly when eligibility was self-assessed. Two major Australian Taxation Office…
Parental leave changes
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Increased flexibility for Parental Leave for self employed

From 1 July 2020, parents accessing the Government’s parental leave pay (PPL) scheme will have greater flexibility and options. Targeting the self-employed and small business owners, the changes introduce a new flexible paid parental…
home builder grant

HomeBuilder: What is it and how do you access it?

The Government has announced grants of $25,000 to encourage people to build a new home or substantially renovate their existing home. The HomeBuilder scheme targets the residential construction market by providing tax-free grants…
australia tax changes 2020
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What’s changing on 1st July 2020?

  Company tax rate reduces to 26% for base rate entities Cents per km rate for work-related car expenses increase to 72 cents Expected reforms to allow 66 and 67 years olds to make voluntary superannuation contributions without…
ATO jobkeeper audit

The ATO’s JobKeeper audit targets

“…while it is all very well to talk of 'turning points', one can surely only recognise such moments in retrospect.” Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day The JobKeeper subsidy has progressed beyond the rush for eligibility and entered…

JobKeeper is open!

JobKeeper registrations are now open. We have created an updated video which explains all the changes that have come through in the last few weeks since the JobKeeper payment was announced. This can be found below. Our fee details…

Covid-19 FAQ’s

We’ve had alot of questions about assistance for businesses affected by Covid-19, so we are starting to compile them.

2nd Stimulus Package

23/03/2020 2nd Coronavirus Stimulus Package The Government yesterday released a second, far reaching $66.1 bn stimulus package that boosts income support payments, introduces targeted changes to the superannuation rules, provides cash flow…

Covid-19 assistance

A constantly updated blog article with Covid-19 assistance measures and support for businesses.

coronavirus-stimulus-package-explained

CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS PACKAGE: A VIDEO FROM SHAUN Shaun Farrugia has put together a video to explain the Government’s proposed Coronavirus Stimulus Package for business owners. Today I’m going to give you some information…
coronavirus stimulus package for business

The Stimulus Package: What you need to know

12/03/2020 The Government has announced a $17.6 billion investment package to support the economy as we brace for the impact of the coronavirus. The yet to be legislated four part package focuses on business investment, sustaining employers…
Self Managed Super Fund rules
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5 key SMSF rules

The lure of greater control over your retirement savings with a self-managed super fund may be enticing but the freedom to chart your own destiny also comes with the responsibility to comply with the rules. An SMSF is a private super…
Calculating Super Guarantee
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Calculating Super Guarantee: The new rules

From 1 July 2020, new rules will come into effect to ensure that an employee’s salary sacrifice contributions cannot be used to reduce the amount of superannuation guarantee (SG) paid by the employer. Under current rules, some employers…
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Super Guarantee Amnesty Resurrected

The Government has resurrected the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) amnesty giving employers that have fallen behind with their SG obligations the ability to “self-correct.” This time however, the incentive of the amnesty is strengthened by…