Are you aware of the Public Ruling PTAQ000.6.5? It provides long‑awaited clarity on how payroll tax applies to medical centres, dental clinics, physiotherapy practices, radiology providers and similar health businesses, though many of our new clients never heard of it and never reviewed their payroll tax obligations. The ruling confirms that many common practitioner‑service arrangements fall within the “relevant contract” provisions—meaning payments to practitioners may be deemed wages for payroll…  Read more

The ATO has released Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2026/3, setting out how it will approach compliance activity for holiday homes that are also rented out. This guideline is particularly important for individuals who own a property used for both private holidays and short‑term rental income. The ATO’s message is clear: deductions will only be allowed where the property is mainly used (or held for use) to produce assessable rental income…  Read more

The 2026-27 Federal Budget, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, is framed around the twin themes of “resilience and reform”. Faced with global economic volatility and a forecast $31.5 billion deficit, the Government has introduced a suite of ambitious tax changes designed to improve fairness while providing relief for Australian workers. As your boring accountants, we have summarized the key measures from the budget papers that will most significantly impact business…  Read more

Improving your bottom line isn’t just about increasing your revenue but also comes down to reducing outgoings where you can. Reducing direct costs can dramatically increase your profit on each sale while eliminating unnecessary business overhead. Here are some things to consider for optimising operational costs. Lower the cost of purchases Reducing what you pay for raw materials, components, or employees who work directly on output will have a significant…  Read more

If your business is facing a crisis and you’re not sure what to do next, there are three strategies you can consider. Strategy 1. Trade out of trouble Initially, focus on selling current products or services to your existing good customers, as it should be the easiest to do. They know you. Then contact the rest of your customer database with phone calls, emails, visits, social media or e-newsletters with…  Read more

Succession planning in a family business is a complex and often emotional process that involves more than just passing on company control to the next generation. It requires careful preparation, open communication, and a deep understanding of the emotional dynamics at play. Effectively managing these emotional dynamics is crucial to ensure both family harmony and business continuity. Understanding emotional dynamics Family businesses are a unique blend of personal and professional…  Read more

Many elements are vital to a growing company’s success. A financially-astute leader is one. A confident and motivated sales team well-versed in a company’s product and service line is another. But starting and growing a business requires more than employees with extensive functional skills and appropriate personal characteristics. Growing a business requires collaboration – namely, the deployment of employees in a way that allows them to work together to problem-solve and act…  Read more

ATO is ‘clearing up’ some common Payday Super myths With less than two months until Payday Super starts (on 1 July 2026), the ATO wishes to ‘clear up’ the following common misconceptions. Myth: “There is nothing super fund trustees need to do before the start date.” Fact: Super funds should have already taken steps to receive more frequent contributions and meet shorter processing timeframes.  System updates and testing should be…  Read more

Improving your bottom line isn’t just about increasing your revenue but also comes down to reducing outgoings where you can. Reducing direct costs can dramatically increase your profit on each sale while eliminating unnecessary business overhead. Here are some things to consider for optimizing operational costs. Lower the cost of purchases Reducing what you pay for raw materials, components, or employees who work directly on output will have a significant…  Read more

When it comes to an investment strategy, there are an almost endless number of paths you can take. Depending on your overall priorities, needs, and values you can follow any established formula or set your own path. One path that has numerous benefits is long-term investing. In long-term investing you put your money in an investment with the goal of leaving it there for a long time. You’re not buying…  Read more

Safeguarding your business against fraud is important, particularly if your business accepts credit cards. While credit card fraud may always be a concern, it is something you can protect yourself against to reduce your risk of losses. Preventing the cause of fraud If you can and it’s appropriate, avoid the chance of any credit card fraud by offering alternative payment options for customers. Ensure your bank facility is approved to…  Read more

Know when a new logbook is required Keeping a car logbook may be required to accurately calculate the business-use percentage of vehicle expenses (e.g., fuel, registration, insurance and depreciation) for tax deductions. Taxpayers can keep the same logbook for their car for five years, but there are circumstances where they may need a new one during that period. Relying on a logbook that no longer represents a client’s work-related travel…  Read more

Crowdfunding is when you raise capital from the ‘crowd’, or the general population. It’s usually facilitated by online platforms such as www.kickstarter.com and www.indiegogo.com (ask your industry networks or search online for what may match what you’re doing). It allows businesses the freedom to raise capital from a range of people: investors, customers, colleagues, peers, even strangers. Like anyone in search of funding, successful campaigns rely on a solid idea…  Read more

Investing in new fixed assets such as machinery, vehicles, technical equipment, or property can be a critical step in growing your business. You’ll generally need to choose between using cash reserves or seeking finance. While using cash avoids interest costs, financing allows you to spread the cost over time, keeping your cash available for other business needs. Using cash reserves or finance If you have surplus cash that isn’t earmarked…  Read more

Running a nonprofit requires a delicate balance between advancing your mission and managing day-to-day operations. One of the most time-consuming and detail-oriented tasks is bookkeeping. For many small to mid-sized organizations, internal bookkeeping can quickly become overwhelming, especially when staff wear multiple hats. Outsourcing bookkeeping can be a practical solution. It allows nonprofits to maintain accurate, up-to-date records without adding stress to already stretched teams. Beyond accuracy, outsourcing provides transparency,…  Read more

Many businesses need to raise extra capital or funding at some stage in their growth. The first task is figuring out how much you need, and what it’s for. For example, you could be aiming to increase capacity by investing in new equipment or expanding your facilities. Or you might be planning to buy a competitor. Whatever the reason, the first part of your business case is to clearly define…  Read more

Running a small business comes with constant challenges, from changing customer demand and rising costs to market shifts and economic uncertainty. Sometimes, these pressures mean that parts of your business may no longer contribute to long-term growth. In these situations, restructuring can be a practical way to protect your business, refocus resources, and build resilience for the future. Audit and be honest The first step is to understand what your…  Read more

An online scam is any scheme delivered through digital communication channels that aims to steal personal information or defraud people of money. Being aware of potential scams is essential to protect your business, yourself, and especially your employees. Cold calling scams These scams involve callers attempting to impersonate a legitimate organization or government agency to extract personal or business payment details. They may try to sell fake products or services,…  Read more

$20,000 instant asset write-off extended The Government recently passed legislation to extend the $20,000 instant asset write-off for small businesses by 12 months to 30 June 2026. Taxpayers should note that if their business has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million, they may be able to use the instant asset write-off (‘IAWO’) to immediately deduct the business portion of the cost of eligible assets which cost less…  Read more

Running a successful business requires you to make smart decisions about everything from who you hire to how you spend your money. There are many legitimate expenses to cover, but it’s easy to overspend in areas that aren’t helping you or your business. Spending wisely is key to owning a sustainable business. Here are four practical money saving tips for business owners. 1. Have a list of all your subscriptions,…  Read more

Many small business owners think they’re saving money by handling their financials themselves. While it’s a real asset to learn bookkeeping basics, cash flow management and your tax obligations, hiring an accountant to oversee your finances has many benefits. Leaving your books to a pro will free up time so you can focus on serving your clients and implementing plans for growth. Here are a few ways an accounting professional…  Read more