Why your business needs a mission statement

A compelling mission statement will give your small business the purpose it needs to grow. In just a few clear and succinct sentences the statement should announce your driving business strategy. However, it is not enough to merely generate a statement and slap it on your website. A mission statement will do little to impact…

How the new super measures will apply to SMSFs

The Government has introduced new measures to allow SMSF members to access their super for their first home or make contributions to their super from the sale of downsizing their home. SMSFs should be aware of the following: Downsizing From 1 July 2018, SMSF members who are 65 or over and exchange a contract of…

Focus on work-related car expenses

The Tax Office has flagged work-related car expenses as a concern this tax time. The ATO is targeting those who make mistakes or deliberately lodge false claims. Examples include: – Claiming things they are not entitled to, i.e., private trips such as work to home travel. – Making claims for trips that did not occur.…

Morning habits matter

How do you like to begin each day? The daily routines of successful entrepreneurs prove that ‘when’ and ‘how’ you choose to start your morning significantly impacts the rest of your day in the office. Incorporating positive habits into your morning routine will help to increase your productivity and creativity throughout the day, and lead…

Budget 2018: living stronger

The Government is focused on encouraging older Australians to better grow and secure their personal retirement funds. Retirees exempt from work test An exemption from the work test will be established to allow retired Australians aged between 65-74 who have total super balances below $300,000 in their first year that they do not meet the…

Budget 2018: creating a level-playing field

The Government will continue its commitment to strengthen the economy by focusing on improving its integrity measures to create a fairer level-playing field for all. Funding new ATO enforcement Additional funds will be allocated from the Budget over four years to fund a new ATO enforcement strategy to tackle the black economy. Through this measure,…

Budget 2018: living longer

The Government is introducing a series of new measures designed to help Australians keep a greater portion of their superannuation savings pie. Insurance opt-in Insurance within super may not be suitable for everyone, particularly young people and those with low balances. From 1 July 2019, insurance will be offered on an opt-in basis for members…

Budget 2018: building resilience

The 2018 Federal Budget is built on the back of a historically strong post-mining boom Australian economy, triggering fairly conservative changes to tax policy. The Budget’s strategy is to provide sustainable tax relief to those in the workforce, stimulating spending and encouraging businesses to invest in creating jobs. Individuals The Government is introducing a seven-year…

Upcoming deadline for SMSF 2016-17 returns

Self-managed super fund (SMSF) trustees are reminded that the deadline for their 2016-17 annual return is fast approaching. The extended due date for annual SMSF returns is 30 June 2018. As the due date falls on a Saturday, the ATO is allowing returns to be lodged the next business day, Monday 2 July 2018, without…

ATO clarifies claims made in recent media coverage

The Australian Tax Office is standing by its actions undertaken that were presented on a recent current affairs program. The ATO says where taxpayers fail to lodge tax returns and BAS returns over a number of years despite repeated requests, the ATO will raise a default assessment based on evidence that can be obtained, i.e.,…