Tax
2026-27 Federal Budget – What it means for you
Handed down 12 May 2026 The 2026-27 Federal Budget is the most reform-heavy Budget in a generation. The headline changes target capital gains tax, negative gearing and the way family trusts are taxed. Most of the major changes do not take effect until 1 July 2027, and the new trust tax not until 1 July…
Rising costs, fuel pressure and what it means for business margins
Across Australia, many businesses are operating in a different cost environment to even 18-24 months ago. Fuel, wages, insurance, finance costs and supplier pricing have all moved higher. At the same time, revenue has not always increased at the same pace. For many businesses, the result is simple but serious: margins are being squeezed. The…
Dual cab Utes and FBT: what small businesses need to know
For many small business owners, including tradies, contractors and growing teams alike, dual cab utes are essential tools of the trade. But there’s still confusion about how these vehicles interact with fringe benefits tax (FBT), especially where personal use is involved. The ATO has continued to emphasise that dual cab utes aren’t automatically exempt from…
Director Loans in the ATO Spotlight: What Small Business Owners Need to Know in 2025
Each year, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) releases a compliance “hit list” highlighting the key areas it will scrutinise. For FY25, one of the standout focus points is director loans – or, in tax law terms, Division 7A (Div7A). This is an area where small businesses often get caught out, sometimes without even realising they’ve…
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Company Tax and Franking Credits
Most business owners understandably want to minimise tax. So when a company pays 25% corporate tax, it can feel like a hit to your bottom line. But in Australia, company tax isn’t the end of the story — it’s often just a temporary withholding. Thanks to our franking credit system, that tax becomes a benefit…
Crucial Property Tax Deductions for EOFY 2025 – Are You Ready?
As the End of Financial Year approaches, it is time for property investors to get their finances in order. Whether you own property individually or through a business, now is the moment to claim all eligible deductions, especially tax depreciation, a powerful but often overlooked way to boost your cash flow. What is Tax Depreciation?…
Fringe Benefits Tax: What Employers Need to Know Before 31 March 2025
Fringe Benefits Tax Exemption for Electric Cars Employers that provide employees with the use of eligible electric vehicles (EVs) can potentially qualify for an Fringe Benefits Tax exemption. This should normally be the case where: Plug-in hybrid vehicles no longer FBT exempt From 1 April 2025, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will no longer qualify…
Federal Budget 2025–26: What’s In It (and What’s Not)
The 2025-26 Federal Budget has landed – and while there are a few wins for households, small business owners will feel overlooked. There’s no meaningful new support, and the clock is ticking on key tax measures that still haven’t passed Parliament.Here’s a quick breakdown. What’s in it for Individuals & Families? Tiny tax cuts –…
Support Available in the Wake of Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred
When a disaster strikes, as we’ve seen recently, it’s often difficult to navigate avenues for support across different agencies.We’ve put together this guide to summarise what support is available in the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, and the eligibility conditions to access that support. We cover both Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW).If we…
How the ATO Uses AI to Keep an Eye on Small Businesses
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assess small business tax compliance, using custom-built systems to analyse deductible expenses and detect income hidden in the shadow economy. AI Models for Tax Compliance Among the AI tools is the ‘Black Economy Omitted Income Scoring Job,’ designed to identify undeclared cash-in-hand earnings and…