From 1 July 2022 employers do not pay FBT on eligible electric cars and associated car expenses. Eligibility You do not pay FBT if you provide private use of an electric car that meets all the following conditions: Benefits provided under a salary packaging arrangement are included in the exemption. The government will complete a review…
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When did you last check your details on the Australian Business Register? If you’re not sure, it’s time to check your details are up to date. Emergency services and government agencies use ABN information to identify businesses in affected areas during emergencies. This helps them determine who might need help or support during and after…
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The Council of Financial Regulators (CFR) is the coordinating body for Australia’s main financial regulatory agencies – APRA, ASIC, the RBA and The Treasury. In 2014 the Financial System Inquiry recommended the removal of the exception from superannuation funds, allowing limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA), more commonly known as an SMSF loan. In 2015, The…
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It’s fine to throw a work party and buy staff presents but give the Cartier watches a miss, say accounting bodies. Companies going overboard on parties and gifts this Christmas will fall foul of FBT, say the professional accounting bodies, because there’s a strict limit on how much you can spend. “It’s about the $300…
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The end of the year is a busy time for many reasons. Prepping for the holidays, making time for family, and planning for the new year keeps most of us busy through 1 January and beyond. As a small business owner, you have an even longer list of things to think about at the end…
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Interest rates have been on the rise in Australia, and this has caused a lot of concern among consumers. Many people are worried that they will not be able to afford their monthly mortgage payments, and some are even considering selling their homes. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how…
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As a small business looking to grow, you’ll often be looking at new ways of attracting customers. The first step would be to create a marketing plan that will set out how to improve your business outreach, customer service and revenue. The second step is to find the right type of campaign that will assist you in…
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Data protection is no longer just a job for the IT or security team. Stay one step ahead of cyber crimes with these common-sense tips. A major data breach at Australian telco Optus earlier this year sent shockwaves through the business world. Some reports suggest that Optus may have been hacked through an unprotected application programming interface…
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Latest figures suggest almost one-third of company directors will fail to apply by the November 30 cutoff. Almost 800,000 directors will miss the November 30 deadline to apply for an ID number with just 1.5 million out of the 2.5 million eligible in the system, according to figures supplied by the ATO this week. The…
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Deciding whether you need to close your business can be a difficult decision, so we’ve put together a few key points to help you understand the process. If you decide to close your business, remember to finalise your: If you have sold or closed down your business, you need to cancel your GST registration within…
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If you use money or assets from your company or trust for private purposes, it’s important to consider there may be tax consequences. This applies for business money and assets such as: To ensure you get it right, take these 2 simple steps: By following these steps and keeping your business and private transactions separate…
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Employee super guarantee (SG) contributions for the quarter ending 30 September were due by 28 October. If you didn’t pay the correct amount of SG to your employees’ super funds in full and on time, you will need to pay the SG charge (SGC). You need to: lodge an SGC statement to us by 28 November to avoid additional…
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Accountplan’s mortgage broking arm, Accountplan Finance Solutions, is proud to confirm our accreditation with the Teachers Mutual Bank (TMB). TMB has for over 50 years provided bespoke banking and mortgage solutions to not just teachers, but most essential workers via the following divisions: Firefighters Mutual Bank Health Professionals Bank Teachers Mutual Bank Uni Bank Hence…
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If you hire staff on a short-term or occasional basis, you need to be aware of recent changes to super guarantee (SG). The changes mean more of your employees may be eligible for super. The changes started on 1 July 2022. You need to pay super for employees at a rate of 10.5%, regardless of how…
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How are you looking this festive season? While Covid travel restrictions have eased, businesses are experiencing continued challenges with rising fuel costs, interest rate hikes, supply chain issues, staff shortages and depressed demand for services or products. Despite this, according to ScotPacs SME Growth Index, SME confidence is growing and it’s important for businesses to be aware…
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The Fair Work Commission has issued a determination to delete the expired COVID-19-related provisions in modern awards. In 2020 it varied 99 modern awards to include unpaid ‘pandemic leave’ and the flexibility to take twice as much annual leave at half pay. The Fair Work Commission has issued a determination to delete the expired COVID-19-related…
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Rohit has joined the Accountplan team and brings with him over 15 years’ experience in the Financial Planning industry. As well as being a Certified Financial Planner, Rohit as an array of further specialist areas including: Retirement planning, Centrelink entitlements Aged care strategies Superannuation strategies (including SMSFs) Tax-effective investment strategies Personal insurances (Life, Disability, Critical…
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Tahni gave our already experienced accounting and tax team a massive boost after coming on board as a Senior Accountant in April this year. Tahni had already acquired over 12 years’ experience in the Accounting and Taxation Industry, the last 5 years of this was spent operating her own accounting business at North Lakes. This…
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Find out about managing your tax when you buy, sell or invest in crypto assets. Tax responsibilities Crypto assets (crypto) are a digital representation of value that you can transfer, store or trade electronically. This also includes non-fungible tokens (NFTs). When you buy, sell, or dispose of crypto assets in any other way, you have tax…
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If you claim fuel tax credits, multiple rates may apply to your business activity statement (BAS) that is due in October, depending on when you acquired the fuel. Changes to fuel tax credits occurred on 30 March, 1 July (biodiesel only),1 August, and 29 September 2022. Fuel tax credit rates change regularly. The easiest way to ensure you are using…
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Pay as you go (PAYG) instalments are regular prepayments of tax on your business and investment income. When you pay regular instalments throughout the year, you should not have a large tax bill when you lodge your tax return. If you think the amount you pay now will be more or less than your expected tax…
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Throughout October the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is sharing guides and resources that will help you protect all your information from cyber criminals. Update your devices and applications Cyber criminals hack devices by using known weaknesses in systems or apps. Check your devices for updates, and turn on automatic updates so that future updates are made…
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Directors need to apply for their director identification number (director ID) by 30 November 2022. If you have a corporate trustee for your self-managed super fund (SMSF), then you’re a company director, and need a director ID. Not sure if you need to apply? You can check if you need a director ID at who needs to apply.…
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The quarterly transfer balance account report (TBAR) for self-managed super funds (SMSFs) is due on 28 October 2022. You’re required to lodge your TBAR by this date if: a transfer balance account (TBA) event occurred in your SMSF between 1 July and 30 September 2022, and any member of your SMSF has a total super balance greater than…
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If you’re a sole trader or in a partnership, you may be able to claim the business-use portion of running expenses (the costs incurred using your home’s facilities) and occupancy expenses (what you pay to own or rent your home). For example, Georgia is a sole trader and runs a hairdressing business from her granny…
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Here are 4 things to keep in mind when claiming motor vehicle expenses – such as fuel, oil, servicing and registration – for your business. If you operate your business as a sole trader or partnership (where at least one partner is an individual), the method you must use to calculate your deduction depends on…
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Do you keep track of any business income in your private accounts so that you can report it correctly in your business tax return? We have no concerns with business owners banking their business takings or other sales in private accounts. However, it becomes an issue when this income isn’t reported. A good way to…
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Off-the-books transactions and side hustles have a habit of showing up the ATO’s tracing technology, says Assistant Commissioner. Make sure your business includes all income and avoid the temptation of undeclared cash transactions, the ATO is warning SMEs. Speaking on this week’s Accountants Daily podcast, Assistant Commissioner Andrew Watson said cash was making a comeback…
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Overdue invoices are costing small business $1.1 billion a year and waiting times for payment have reached an average of 6.4 days, according to the latest report from Xero. It found that almost half of all invoices are paid late — one in 10 by more than a month — and said overdue payment is…
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With all the changes due to COVID-19, you may have contracted out more services in the past year. This could mean you need to lodge a Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) for the first time. TPARs are due on 28 August each year. You may need to lodge a TPAR if your business pays contractors or subcontractors…
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What is a payment plan? A payment plan is an agreement with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to pay your tax liability in instalments over a period of time. Not only is it a practical way to meet your payment obligations, but it allows you to break down your payment into smaller amounts that are…
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Changes to Queensland’s tax code that will charge investors land tax based on the value of their entire Australian portfolios regardless of location have broad implications for the country’s landlords, particularly those who might previously have been exempt from some taxes. Speaking on a recent edition of The Smart Property Investment Show, a podcast produced…
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The ATO’s ramp-up of debt collection activity on small businesses shows up in the figures for July. Business insolvencies are back to pre-pandemic levels with the ATO firing out 120 director penalty notices a day as it ramps up debt collection to full speed. July recorded 674 businesses being wound up or entering administration, line-ball…
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Time for regulation, says ASIC, as survey finds huge rise in popularity of digital assets but investors motivated by fear of missing out. Crypto assets are now the second-most popular investment but too many holders are unaware of the dangers and there is “a strong case” for regulation, according to ASIC. The call comes after…
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Industry bodies increase pressure on Labor to deliver equality between men and women come retirement. Women are retiring with fewer savings than men because superannuation is not payable on parental leave, but industry bodies have begun to mobilise on the topic. Superannuation firm HESTA has been joined by several industry groups in calling on the…
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While inflation has implications for housing demand, housing itself influences inflation. By understanding how inflation and housing fit together, the market outlook for the year ahead becomes a little clearer. ABS figures showed the highest annual rate of inflation in June 2022 in almost 32 years. As we head into the new financial year, annual inflation is…
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You need to appoint an approved self-managed super fund (SMSF) auditor no later than 45 days before you lodge your SMSF annual return (SAR). Don’t risk approaching an auditor the day before you need to lodge as it will result in an overdue lodgment. Approved SMSF auditors are an important part of your lodgment and reporting…
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You can generally claim a tax deduction for most expenses you incur, as long as: the expense relates directly to earning your business’s assessable income you only claim the business-use portion of an expense that’s for a mix of business and private use you have records to substantiate your claims. You can claim deductions for:…
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Small businesses told under-reporting will be exposed by powerful data matching. The ATO is warning businesses that they have until 28 August to complete a taxable payment annual report (TPAR) for last year as it cracks down on the shadow economy. Around $350 billion in payments made to 950,000 contractors were reported last year and…
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As of 1 July 2022, the $450-per-month super guarantee (SG) eligibility threshold was removed. This means that if an employee meets the other SG eligibility requirements, you must pay them SG, regardless of how much they earn. However, employees under 18 must still work more than 30 hours in a week to be eligible. It’s important…
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We recognise there can be times when super is not front of mind for employers. Super guarantee (SG) obligations were due on 28 July for the last quarter. If you missed or didn’t pay the full amount of your employees’ SG, you’ll need to: lodge a super guarantee charge statement to us by 29 August to disclose any missed or…
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A perfect storm is currently brewing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Soaring energy prices, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, an increasingly high cash rate (currently at 1.35 per cent), and inflation expected to hit 7 per cent by end of this year – are all signs of a weak economy. In the 2022 financial year…
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How small businesses can get started with eInvoicing to exchange invoices with trading partners through software. How to start eInvoicing eInvoicing will help your small business save time and simplify invoice management. It’s a standardised and easy way to send and receive invoices between the buyer’s and supplier’s software through a secure network. You and…
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We’re concerned about a high volume of SMS scams pretending to be from the ATO. These scams tell you that you’re owed an income tax repayment and ask you to click a hyperlink and complete a form. Clicking the link takes you to a fake ATO webpage that asks for your personal identifying information, including…
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You may receive your business income in the form of: cash and digital payments, such as EFTPOS, online, credit or debit card transactions, and through platforms such as PayPal, WeChat or Alipay vouchers or coupons, such as state government stimulus vouchers. When calculating your business’s assessable income, it’s important that you include all income from…
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The bank’s chief economist has pitched its latest Reserve Bank prediction, predicting another half-percentage hike next month, followed immediately by a freeze. If the major bank’s prediction of a fourth consecutive lift over August to 1.85 per cent is correct, this will be the highest that the cash rate has reached in over six years. …
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Download a copy of our Tax Organiser for 2022 below…
Each year as end of financial year (EOFY) draws closer, scammers come out in troves looking to score a quick buck, and it’s apparent 2022 is no different. The latest phishing scam that MailGuard has now intercepted claims to come from myGov and could steal your account and credit card credentials. If you’re not a…
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Accountants should alert clients of the need to keep receipts to claim using other methods, says IPA. People who work from home will need more detailed records to claim expenses after the shortcut method ends in July and tax agents should start telling clients, said the IPA. The general manager of technical policy at the…
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A comprehensive toolkit gives a run-down on expenses and deductions. The comprehensive guide also highlights three areas of concern: deductions, omissions of business income and record-keeping. On deductions, the ATO reminded small-business owners to only claim what they are entitled to and outlined three rules for valid business deductions: The expense must have been for…
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SMSFs should ensure they have received any outstanding unpaid present entitlements relating to the 2021 financial year by 30 June to avoid major compliance issues, an SMSF lawyer has warned. With 30 June fast approaching, DBA Lawyers director Daniel Butler said now is a good time to check that SMSFs with entitlements in a related…
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A massive 63% of property investors were feeling concerned about rising interest rates, 40% were concerned about the cost of living, and more than one in 10 fear they may have to sell, according to new research commissioned by Australian fintech startup TaxTank. Following the Reserve Bank’s recent decision to lift the cash rate by…
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A recent survey of nearly 1,600 people revealed almost all respondents believed knowing their credit score was critical to improving their finances. The survey also found the majority of people have no clue what their score is. A credit score is a number that depicts a consumer’s creditworthiness. The higher the score, the better a…
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But common mistakes will lead to longer processing times, it says. The ATO has pledged to process most electronically lodged tax returns within 12 business days, but said delays are being caused by common mistakes. Tax agents and their clients needed to ensure information is correct, it said, because every year the ATO received inaccurate…
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The ATO is writing to thousands of businesses with outstanding tax debts to warn them that they will be reporting the debts to credit reporting bureaus unless action is taken. This move could obviously have a very detrimental effect on the businesses concerned, not only in terms of tainting their credit history and/or credit score,…
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The ATO is warning taxpayers to be vigilant on a range of claims that will come in for greater attention during tax time this year, from work-related expenses to cryptocurrency gains. Assistant commissioner Tim Loh said the ATO was targeting problem areas where it saw people making mistakes. “It’s important you rethink your claims and…
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The potential for e-invoicing to save businesses both time and money can’t be understated, but are business owners even clear on what it is? There are over 1.2 billion invoices sent in Australia alone each year, with 89 percent of these sent by small to medium sized businesses. The sheer volume of invoices sent each day leaves them open…
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More than half of Australian adults die without a will. Last year delivered Australia a lot of unexpected blows. We started 2021 expecting the worst of COVID was behind us, but by October Melbourne had become the world’s most locked-down city. Who would have predicted the Dees and the Bulldogs would be playing an AFL…
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Micro businesses represent around 25% of all businesses in Australia – a pretty hefty chunk of our business landscape when you think about it. So, what are micro business and how are they different to simply being small? Let’s take a look. What’s the difference between a micro business and a small business? In Australia, a small…
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Getting superannuation contributions right is an important element of any employers end of financial year period. These tips will guide you on the right path. Superannuation contributions have been compulsory for three decades in Australia, and as the years have ticked over, the requirements have evolved quite substantially. Simply put, superannuation – or ‘super’ –…
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Office steps up debt collection with scores of director penalty notices and hundreds of credit referrals. The ATO is sending out 30-40 director penalty notices every day and has begun referring taxpayers to credit agencies as it steps up debt collection post-COVID. The DPNs follow 52,319 warning letters dispatched last month to directors of companies with…
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Getting your business’s end of financial year work done smoothly is no small task. This handy checklist offers a quick overview of the key processes and major to-do items. End Of Financial Year (EOFY) isn’t just a marketing opportunity for businesses looking to entice business customers to make the most of available tax deductions (although…
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Businesses that have trouble paying employee super will need to lodge before 30 May. Employers that will struggle to pay an employee’s minimum superannuation guarantee (SG) amount on time and to the right fund, must remember to pay the superannuation guarantee charge (SGC) this tax time, says the ATO. “We understand that paying your employees’…
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Widely used trust practices had been known about for years, says IPA. Advisers have relied for years on common practices “considered legitimate” for trust taxation and the ATO should have acted earlier if they were unacceptable, the IPA says in its 100A submission. As a result, IPA members were “blindsided” by the 100A draft ruling…
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From Saturday 15th July 2023 through till Saturday 2nd of September 2023 we will be offering extended hours during Tax Season as follows: Mondays 8:30am to 5:00pm Tuesdays 8:30am to 7:00pm Wednesdays 8:30am to 7:00pm Thursdays 8:30am to 5:00pm Fridays 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturdays 9:00am to 1:00pm We will extend the additional hours should…
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Download a copy of our May Newsletter…
Expect a stronger compliance regime after the office returns to business as usual. The ATO is focusing on a range of claims that have come into greater attention this tax year, from changing work-related expenses to the sharing economy and digital currencies, said H&R Block. Speaking to Accountants Daily, H&R Block director of tax communications…
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Inflation has hit its highest level since the introduction of the GST, with the market to now eagerly watch for how the Reserve Bank manoeuvres the cash rate. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has revealed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.1 per cent over the March quarter. During the year to…
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CoreLogic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) for Q1 2022 showed national residential construction costs increased 9% over the 12 months to March 2022, the highest annual growth rate on record outside of the introduction of the GST (10.2% over the year to March 2001). The CCCI quarterly growth rate reaccelerated in Q1 2022 to 2.4%,…
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Treasury bill lapses that would have forced sharing platforms to report transactions. Ride-sharing and short-stay rental apps have been given a reprieve from mandatory reporting requirements thanks to the election. The 21 May federal vote means a law, which would have required digital platforms to relay all transactions to the ATO, lapses and must start…
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The status of benefits paid to a member after death remains problematic, hears SMSF conference. An ATO decision over whether benefits paid after the death of an SMSF member are classified as member benefits or death benefits will come to a head in legal action, warns the SMSF Association. The deputy chief executive of the SMSFA, Peter…
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Tahni had already acquired over 10 years’ experience in the Accounting and Taxation Industry prior to joining the Accountplan team this week. The last 5 years of this was spent operating her own accounting business at North Lakes.This experience has armed Tahni with an incredibly strong ability to relate to small business owners, this is…
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Expenses incurred from the test before the individual engages in work will most likely be covered, says CPA Australia. CPA Australia’s senior manager tax policy, Elinor Kasapidis, said the ATO is likely to take a “common-sense approach” to tax deductions on COVID-19 workplace tests. This would allow employees to claim tax deductions for COVID-19 tests…
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Download a copy of our April Newsletter…
Ingrid Liddy recently joined our Financial Planning team bringing 20 years of experience in the Financial Planning Industry – the last 8 years being spent right here in Redcliffe. Ingrid assists our Snr Financial Planner in the provision of Super & SMSF strategies, Tax effective investments, Retirement Planning, Centrelink & Aged Car entitlements & even…
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Many spending initiatives go to support for low-income individuals and families. “Decent” and “encouraging” were two verdicts from the tax industry on the 2022 budget, with measures to address cost-of-living pressures high on the list. Big-ticket items were left untouched: stage 3 personal tax cuts remain scheduled to start in 2024-25 and the superannuation guarantee…
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If you’re a sole trader running your own small business in Australia, then you’re lucky enough to have the flexibility and freedom to do things your way. But unfortunately, at tax time, you have to fall in line like everybody else. Only you have the additional burden of a sole trader tax. If you’re not up to…
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Businesses seeking to adopt e-invoicing will need to use providers accredited by the ATO. The ATO has released the latest register of e-invoicing service providers accredited by the Australian Peppol Authority. “The service providers included on this register have completed the Australian Peppol Authority accreditation process and are trusted to operate in the network,” the…
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Existing rules already allow claims for rapid antigen tests and other pandemic kit required by employers, says H&R Block. Teachers, medical staff and personal services workers such as hairdressers could claim deductions for masks, hand sanitisers and RATs without the need for legislative changes, said the director of tax communication at H&R Block. Mark Chapman…
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The ATO has got its sums wrong with its increase in vehicle deductions by just 3¢ per kilometre. The rise in the work-related car expense deduction to 75¢ a kilometre from July fails to reflect the reality, said accounting bodies, and will leave millions of taxpayers short-changed. The ATO announced the rise, up from 72¢, last…
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Retirement advice must be tailored for the individual, writes industry expert Jeremy Duffield. Is there a typical investor? Even if two people are in the same industry, with a similar income, they won’t have the same investment goals. Their personal financial situations will be different, so it makes sense to personalise super investment. Everyone’s circumstances…
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Cryptocurrency is catching on fast in Australia and accountants need to be alert to the tax implications, says the ATO. Trades in cryptocurrency leapt 64 per cent in 2021 and the ATO is using data matching to make sure nothing slips through the net, acting assistant commissioner Sylvia Gallagher said last week. With more than…
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During the pandemic the ATO pressed pause on its usual regime, but it’s slowly returning to business as usual. The ATO will focus on chasing debts and artful tax dodgers now that Australia is returning to normal post-COVID, acting assistant commissioner Sylvia Gallagher said. Speaking at the Accountants Daily Strategy Day in Sydney last week…
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Property market performance across Australia’s east coast, particularly South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales over the past year, could be summarised as having leading price growth, increased auction activity, and favourable internal migration trends. However, the end of February was a sobering reminder of the impact of extreme weather events and climate change. Numerous…
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The recent ATO ruling on trust distributions is an “unfair” change to the game and accountants need to be aware that clients will be under increased scrutiny, says ChangeGPS founder Timothy Munro. Speaking at a recent ChangeGPS webinar, Timothy Munro said accountants were “livid” about the rulings that would force them to completely rethink their strategies heading…
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The federal government has announced financial support is available for flood-impacted victims, as major flooding continues in South-East Queensland and the NSW North Coast. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Queenslanders impacted by the unfolding “flooding disaster” can apply for up to $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child, as part of the government’s Disaster…
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Download a copy of our March Newsletter…
Small business owners often waste time. Even though a study conducted by TSheets (now QuickBooks Time) found that nearly 60% of self-employed workers in the U.S. said they either worked every weekend or every other weekend, if you’re truly honest with yourself, you’ll probably admit that there’s a difference between spending time on work-like activities…
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National Australia Bank (NAB) has warned mortgage holders that their loan repayments could climb by a third, or an average of $721, during the next 18 months. A surge home loan pain would also see Australian borrowers experiencing the tightest budget pressures in a decade. NAB has forecasted mortgage rates to increase by 2.25 percentage…
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National home loan affordability fell “dramatically” in 2021, with a record calendar year decline of 14.5 per cent, according to non-bank lender Bluestone. Bluestone Home Loans has released its Home Loan Affordability Index for December quarter, revealing the index fell to 93.8 in December 2021 quarter compared to 82.9 in the December 2020 quarter. The latest…
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The governor of the Reserve Bank has defended the central bank’s cash rate forecasting, despite increasing expectations from market that a rate rise will come sooner than flagged. Speaking to the House of Representatives standing committee on economics for its hearing on monetary policy on Friday (11 February), the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia…
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Despite an easing in the quarterly growth rate, national construction costs increased 7.3% over the 2021 calendar year – the highest annual growth rate since March 2005, according to the latest figures from CoreLogic. CoreLogic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) found a softening in quarterly construction cost growth in Q4 to 1.1%, from the 3.8% surge…
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Professional accounting bodies have welcomed the federal government’s move to make COVID-19 testing expenses tax-deductible and FBT exempt. In an address to Australian Industry Group on Monday (7 February), Treasurer Josh Frydenberg confirmed the federal government would look to ensure COVID-19 testing expenses are tax-deductible. “Since the start of 2022, the Government has secured more than 80 million Rapid…
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