The ATO has released information on claiming deductions for mobile, home phone and internet expenses for work purposes. The following are some key points made by the ATO. Substantiating claims Taxpayers need to keep records for a four-week representative period in each income year to claim deductions of more than $50. These records may include…
Small business owners should constantly be alert for scams involving false billings. Small businesses are a particular soft target as scammers recognise they are busy and have fewer resources than larger businesses. False billing scams include attempting to trick busy businesses into paying for unwanted or unauthorised listings or advertisements in magazines, journals or business…
In a development that was criticised at the time, many of the Australian states and territories legislated to ensure that stamp duty was imposed on the GST-inclusive value of dutiable instruments. This clearly results in greater stamp duty than if it were imposed on a GST-exclusive basis. The prospect of higher stamp duty may increase…
Data matching enables the ATO to compare amounts shown in people’s income tax returns and activity statements with data from external sources such as other government departments, meaning it can quickly identify taxpayers who might not be complying with their tax obligations. Data matching can also help to identify taxpayers who are not (but should…
The growing need for workforce flexibility and to reduce business costs means that the line between an employer/employee relationship and a principal/independent contractor relationship is often blurred. It is important for businesses to correctly classify their employment relationships, given the marked difference in employer obligations when engaging an independent contractor rather than an employee. This…
Selling your business can be a stressful time and unless you’ve done it before, it’s hard to know what to expect or what’s required to get the right result. We’ve put together the top issues for business owners or investors to maximise their results. Control the flow of information During the sale process it’s not unusual…
Selling your business can be a stressful time and unless you’ve done it before It’s hard to know what to expect or what’s required to get the right result, so we’ve compiled the top issues for business owners or investors to maximise their results. Understand what you are selling and the tax implications What you…
How did paid parental leave get to be so contentious? The current debate is not about parental leave in general; the entitlement to 12 months with a potential for 24 months of unpaid leave with your job guaranteed (or an equivalent position) remains. It’s about who pays for paid leave. According to a recent report,…
