As we prepare to close the books on the 2024-25 financial year, it’s a good opportunity to get your records in order. There are a number of employee records that you must keep for 7 years and they must include certain information. Some records may be updated as part of your day-to-day business operations, like time and wages. […]
With the recent Federal Election finalised, the Labor party settle back into their seats having secured a majority in the House of Representatives. We look at the campaign promises and the unfinished business from the last term. Individuals – Personal income tax cuts: the 2025-26 federal budget introduced a modest income tax cut for all […]
A Will is a legal document you write saying how you want your estate handled after you pass away. It’s often your last message to your loved ones, but it also serves important legal purposes. A well-written and current Will helps make sure: your family are financially provided for after you pass away you know […]
Superannuation is intended to support people during their retirement. In Australia, you can generally access your superannuation funds when you reach 60 and have retired, or when you turn 65, even if you are still working. Sometimes life can throw us some curve balls and in very limited circumstances it’s possible to access your super […]
Whether you’re in building and construction, bussing tables or working retail, the remuneration requirements of jobs are covered in an Award. Awards (modern awards) are legal documents that outline the minimum pay rates and conditions of employment. There are more than 100 industry or occupation awards that cover most people who work in Australia. Fairwork […]
Whether it’s managing your personal finances or running a business, there are many challenges that impact finances. It could be something small, like an unpaid invoice/bill every now and then, or a bigger curve ball like a natural disaster or an out-of-control debt. Big or small, these financial pressures can build up and can become […]
With the 2025 FBT year wrapping up on 31 March, it’s important you’re on track to meet your obligations and are prepared for any changes. Recent announcements by the ATO have made it clear that FBT represents a key audit target for the 2025 FBT year, with the FBT ‘gap’ having grown to nearly $2 billion. As a result, […]
Always be aware of what information you share. Your personally identifying information (PII) forms pieces of a scammers puzzle. Scammers can use this information to access your bank account, sign in to your myGov account, steal money and then commit fraud in your name. To help protect yourself: Stop – Don’t share your personal information such […]
With the March deadline approaching, it’s time to check everything is ready so you can lodge the Not for Profile (NFP) self-review return. If your not-for-profit (NFP) organisation needs to lodge the NFP self-review return, don’t worry, there is still time for you to lodge. Non-charitable NFPs with an active Australian business number (ABN) that […]
If you’re running a business that employs staff, here are the important dates and obligations to remember throughout the year, to set yourself up for success. Super guarantee (SG) 28 January, 28 April, 28 July, and 28 October are the quarterly due dates for making SG payments. The SG rate is currently 11.5% of an employee’s ordinary time earnings. From 1 July […]
If you owe tax which you can’t pay by the due date, it’s best to contact the ATO before the due date so they can help you while it’s still manageable. But if you’re in a position that you do owe an over due tax or super debt then it’s worth noting that the ATO […]
You may need to pay land tax if you own an investment property, holiday home, commercial property or vacant land in addition to your primary home. How does land tax work? Land tax is a state revenue. In Victoria, you pay land tax if the total taxable value of all the Victorian land you own, […]
As another festive season approaches, we’d like to thank all our clients and colleagues for a rewarding 2024. We’ll be taking a break over the Christmas and New year period. Both our Winchelsea and Torquay offices will be closing at 12.30pm on Thursday 19th December & re-opening again for the new year on Monday 6th January […]
If you Airbnb or short term (holiday) let your property, you may need to pay the short stay levy if you accept bookings for short stays in your Victorian property. From 1 January 2025, you may have to pay the short stay levy if you accept bookings for a stay in Victorian accommodation that is […]
As the festive season approaches, you may be thinking of hiring new employees to help with your business to help with the influx of trade and tourists. Here are some key things to remember when it comes to your tax and super obligations. Withhold the right amount of tax As an employer, you’ll need to […]
Eligible farmers in the Surf Coast Shire are invited to apply for Victorian Government grants to strengthen drought preparedness. The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Program has grants of up to $5,000 available, with eligible businesses to provide dollar-for-dollar matching funding. Eligible farmers can apply for grants for on-farm improvements including water infrastructure upgrades, stock containment […]
From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages. Employers will be liable for the super guarantee charge (SGC) unless contributions are received by their employees’ superannuation fund within 7 days of payday. It will ensure millions of Australians receive the superannuation […]
Are you using business money or assets for private purposes? Using money or assets from your company or trust for private purposes can have tax consequences if you don’t account for these transactions correctly. That’s why it’s important to get it right. Business money and assets that you can use for private purposes include: salary and […]
Sometimes relationships breakdown and whilst you might have each gone your seperate ways when it comes to tax time the question of spouses and dependants will crop up in your tax return to determine your Medicare levy reductions, Medicare levy surcharge (MLS) and private health insurance rebates. If you had a spouse (married or defacto […]
A self-managed super fund (SMSF) is a private super fund that you manage yourself. SMSFs are different to industry and retail super funds. When you manage your own super, you put the money you would normally put in a retail or industry super fund into your own SMSF. You choose the investments and the insurance. […]
