Chartered Accountants

When to Rethink Your Business Structure 

business structure

The entity or way in which a business is operated can be referred to as its business structure. This could be through a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a company or a trust. Also, there can be multiple entities set up for different reasons.  What a business restructure can look like  Many businesses, at some point in their existence, will go through […]

Employee vs Contractor: Understanding the ATO and the Practical Compliance Guideline 

Practical Compliance Guideline

An issue that never seems to go away is determining whether an individual working for a business is engaged as an employee or as an individual contractor. The distinction is very important because a number of tax obligations hinge on the decision.  The Tax Office has had its say on the issue with two important documents: Taxation Ruling TR 2023/4 and the Practical Compliance Guideline PCG […]

How to Stay Compliant with Christmas Gift Tax Deductions This Festive Season 

Christmas gift tax deductions

It’s Christmas. So much to do.  There is the office Christmas party to organise. Gifts to buy for the whole team. Hampers and other Christmas gifts for key clients and suppliers. But wait! My accountant says that some of this might not be tax-deductible. Some of it might be subject to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).  Here are […]

Small Business Tax Compliance: How a small business got into trouble with the ATO

small business tax compliance

This is the story of a case decided in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in April 2024.  Dennis and Nina, a Queensland couple, were partners in a building partnership that carried out construction and maintenance work. They also owned a private company, Beta Leigh Pty Ltd, which was involved in land development, building and selling […]

Understanding a Division 7A Loan Agreement and Minimum Yearly Repayments

Division 7A Loan Agreement

If you have a private company and it has made a loan to a shareholder or an associate of a shareholder, don’t forget your obligations to either repay the loan in full or make a minimum yearly repayment under a Division 7A Loan Agreement.  Let’s say that you, as a shareholder in a private company […]

Is a Self-Managed Super Fund Right for You? 

Self-Managed Super Fund

When it comes to planning for retirement, many Australians are exploring the benefits of Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs). These funds offer more control and flexibility than traditional super options, but they also come with increased responsibility and complexity. Below, we explore the key pros and cons to help you determine if an SMSF is the […]

Is It Time for a Business Restructure? 

Business restructure | Matthews Steer

The entity or legal arrangement through which a business operates is known as its structure. This could be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a company, or a trust. In many cases, businesses also set up multiple entities for different purposes.  What a Business Restructure Can Look Like  Many businesses will undergo a business restructure at […]

Outstanding ATO Tax: Why Addressing ATO Debt Matters for Your Business 

tax debt - Macmillan Cowan Co

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is currently owed a staggering amount, approximately $66 billion in outstanding tax debt. Nearly all this amount is undisputed, and it just hasn’t been paid.  As we all know, with the Federal Government facing years of budget deficits, such a large volume of tax debt certainly isn’t helping. What makes […]

Learn how a company can use the Small Business Retirement Exemption 

Small Business Retirement Exemption

The Small Business Retirement Exemption is a powerful tax concession within Australia’s capital gains tax (CGT) framework, offering eligible small business owners a valuable opportunity to reduce their tax liabilities upon the sale of business assets. While commonly associated with individuals, this exemption can also be applied by companies and trusts when the assets sold […]