This tax season the ATO will be keeping an eye on car expense claims. Whilst the ATO acknowledges that the rules can be confusing, its imperative to only claim for genuine travel. There are three golden rules that should be adhered to when making a claim for travel: only make a claim if you paid for the expenses yourself and you were not reimbursed. ensure the travel is directly related… Read more
Personal income tax changes Targeted tax relief to low and middle income earners The Government will introduce the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset, a non-refundable tax offset of up to $530 per annum to Australian resident low and middle income taxpayers. The offset will be available for the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 income years and will be received as a lump sum on assessment after an individual lodges… Read more
When most think about habits, they invariably think of habits as something they are engaging in unconsciously. While that is very true, what is also true, is that choosing not to do something you should be doing is also a habit. Doing nothing is also a habit – or a Do-Nothing Habit: Not reading to learn, is a habit. Not exercising every day, is a habit. Build Good Habits! Not… Read more
How the ATO identifies audit targets. The ATO is very upfront when it comes to their compliance activity. Every year they publish small business benchmarks that outline what a typical business ‘looks like’ in different industries. If your business falls outside of those benchmarks, the ATO is likely to take a closer look at why that is. Falling outside of the benchmarks might not indicate a tax related problem. It… Read more
From 1 July 2018, new laws come into effect allowing first home buyers to use their super to help buy a home, and at the other end of the spectrum, downsizers to contribute proceeds from the sale of their home to super without many of the normal restrictions. The pros and cons of using your super to save for your first home The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) enables… Read more
Franchise advice, information on ATO Audits and so much more in this issue of the On The Money newsletter. ‘On The Money’ March 2018 – Scotts Read more
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House As of 26 February 2018, the SBSCH is now accessed via the ATO online services. Find out how to access the SBSCH via online services Here is a short video explaining the changes: https://www.ato.gov.au/business/super-for-employers/paying-super-contributions/small-business-superannuation-clearing-house/ Some further information on the benefits and changes from the ATO is as follows: What’s new New features of the SBSCH are listed below: the SBSCH is no longer accessible with a user ID… Read more
It’s the little things that make up the big things. Here’s a list of ten traits of some of the movers and shakers in the world today (and from the past). 1. They Stay Healthy Health is make-or-break. If you have it, your life will take on meaning like you couldn’t otherwise know; but if you don’t have it, you will only accomplish a comparatively small percentage of what… Read more
While working at home as a freelancer sounds like the ultimate dream for anyone who tires of the rat race, freelancers still have more than their fair share of financial matters to worry about. In fact, perhaps the most important trait that any freelancer should have is the ability to be fully responsible and accountable to themselves, and saving money is something that you will be wholly responsible for. … Read more
“For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press three.” Alice Kahn If you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of technological gadgets out there, never mind apps and other digital “solutions”, you’re not alone. Technology sprawl and the rabbit hole of more and more information, available all the time, is making productivity—and healthy downtime—a real challenge for many of us. Although… Read more
What do Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, and Arianna Huffington have in common? All of these smart, savvy, successful business leaders share a passion for self-improvement through reading. If you want to improve your skills as a business owner, why not spend a bit of time each day reading books that guide you to greater success? This reading list of 4 inspiring business books will help you get started:… Read more
According to Google, which offers employees a course on mindfulness meditation, and Lululemon, a company that keeps a Director of Mindfulness on staff, the answer is a resounding yes. Mindfulness, as American scientist Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it, is simply “paying attention in a sustained and particular way – on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Research has shown that practicing mindful meditation can lead to reduced stress, lowered blood… Read more
Fancy yourself as a bit of an entrepreneur? Hopefully you’re not making the mistakes mentioned in this video: Read more
Enjoy some light reading while you kick back over the summer break. The Christmas eBook Read more
Have you got a hobby that you’ve managed to make a little bit of money from? Whether it’s candle making or restoring vintage bicycles and then on selling them, you may need to declare this income. If you tick yes to one or more of the following indicators, you are more than likely running a business; Do you have a website which operates as a ‘shop’; Do you have… Read more