It’s hard to imagine, but there was a time in Australia when a boozy business lunch, an employer provided car and a free trip to the Grand Prix were common ways of doing business. Some might accuse the Tax Office of being fun police, but as 31 March draws closer, I thought it would be a good time to remind every one about fringe benefits tax (FBT). Nowadays, I think we all know that employers can’t give you benefits that aren’t taxed. But how does FBT work? What’s included? And does FBT mean that there’s no point to employers giving their staff non-salary perks? In this first post, I’m going to try and answer some of the common FBT FAQs. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll look at some of the more common benefits in depth. Continue reading “FBT FAQs”
An update on single touch payroll
Amongst all the events the last sitting of parliament, you may have missed the news that legislation to extend Single Touch Payroll was passed and will now apply to all businesses. Continue reading “An update on single touch payroll”
Do I have to choose?
Last week I attended the Roadshows for both Xero and MYOB (they were on consecutive days at the same venue – coincidence?). This is when the software providers spruik their current product and showcase the shiny new developments that you can expect for the coming year. Think Steve Jobs launching a new iPhone but a whole more accounting-ish!
Are you ready for the Zombie apocalypse?
The other week I received an email threatening to shut down my website unless I sent Bitcoin. I’m pretty sure you’ve all seen something similar. While this one was just a scam and easily fixed by upgrading my security, it got me thinking about how a small business could easily be crippled by a random act – either malicious and intentional or a natural disaster. Big business will always have a business continuity plan (I’m old enough to remember the doom and gloom doing the rounds way back in 1999 with the potential disruption from Y2K), but what about small businesses like us?
To Trust or not!
Every so often I get asked about discretionary trusts – should I have one, does it mean I pay less tax, are they only for rich people? Continue reading “To Trust or not!”
Sorting through the accounting jargon
Want to sort out your Assets from your Accruals? Here are some commonly used accounting terms so you can talk like an accountant! Continue reading “Sorting through the accounting jargon”
PAYG income tax instalments… Frequently Asked Questions
At this time of year, I often get asked about PAYG income tax instalments – mostly because you’ve just lodged your return and the Tax Office have sent you a letter. So if you’re in that position, here are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions. Continue reading “PAYG income tax instalments… Frequently Asked Questions”
Should I incorporate?
You’ve either been operating as a sole trader for a while or you’re about to embark on the entrepreneur journey. You’ve heard about companies, but is it worthwhile? Continue reading “Should I incorporate?”
Has your hobby become a business?
Many of us are a little compulsive* about our creative pursuits and sometimes we make the decision to sell items we create. So, does this mean we can claim all the costs associated with our obsession pastime? Continue reading “Has your hobby become a business?”