Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. A survival guide for SMEs in the face of inflation Inflation is a challenge for all businesses, but the sting is especially painful for SMEs. With limited resources, they can find themselves struggling to absorb costs associated with inflation, potentially leading them down the path of price increases and…  Read more

It seems like the perfect storm has hit, with rising interest rates and inflation soaring. As a result, households are dealing with higher borrowing costs, leaving them with less disposable income to spend. And that means businesses are feeling the pinch. To make matters worse, staff shortages are adding to the pressure. Retail sales decline affects all businesses. Almost every sector is experiencing a downturn. Building companies, property companies, retailers,…  Read more

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (‘AAT’) has held that there were no special circumstances in relation to a taxpayer who made excess concessional contributions in a financial year, such that the ATO could allocate some of those contributions to the previous financial year. On Wednesday, 26 June 2019, the taxpayer arranged for contributions totalling just under $25,000 to be made to his superannuation fund, via a direct debit from his bank…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Australia lags US in beating inflation Australia is lagging considerably behind the United States in combating inflation, with recent data showing a vast disparity between the two nations. ASIC accuses $13.6b Active Super of greenwashing its investments in gambling and coal The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has…  Read more

The downsizer contribution concession was introduced to allow older Australians selling an eligible dwelling to make additional contributions into their superannuation fund. Broadly, the downsizer contribution concession allows eligible individuals to make non-deductible contributions of up to $300,000 (or up to $600,000 per couple) from the sale of an eligible dwelling that was used as their main residence. The downsizer contribution concession is an attractive option for eligible individuals to…  Read more

Taxpayers who are small business owners operating from home, or who use a vehicle for business purposes, need to be aware of some changes when claiming deductions this tax time, including the following. Cents-per-kilometre method – The cents-per-kilometre method for claiming car expenses increased from 72 cents to 78 cents per kilometre in the 2023 income year.  For taxpayers using this method, the 78 cents per kilometre rate covers all…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Stoking the engine room of the Australian economy The nation’s fleet of small to medium-sized businesses boosting economic growth has been one constant amid the technological and demographic transformation of the Australian economy. Enabling them to be more successful is the focus of ANZ’s new Group Executive, Australia Commercial Clare…  Read more

Lodging of Taxable payments annual reports The ATO reminds taxpayers that it is now time for them to check if their business needs to lodge a Taxable payments annual report (‘TPAR’) for payments made to contractors providing the following services: (a)     building and construction; (b)     cleaning; (c)     courier and road freight; (d)     information technology; and (e)     security, investigation or surveillance. TPARs are due on 28 August…  Read more

Claiming GST credits for employee expense reimbursements Employers may be entitled to claim GST input tax credits for payments they have made to reimburse employees for expenses that are directly related to their business activities. A ‘reimbursement’ is provided when a taxpayer pays their employee the amount, or part of the amount, of a particular work-related purchase they make. Employers are not entitled to a GST input tax credit if…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Another 1.3 billion consumers will shop online by 2027 Online retailers should be gearing up for the addition of a further 1.3 billion consumers worldwide joining the ranks of online shoppers by 2027, says market research firm Juniper Research. Not fair on consumers, not good for business’: Financial complaints…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Why Aussies are ditching cash New data by Reserve Bank of Australia has revealed that the number of Australians paying by cash has more than halved since 2019. Of the people who held cash in their wallet in 2022, the most important reason for doing so was for emergency…  Read more

No matter what size your business is, or what industry you’re in, supply chain management is often an essential part of running a successful business. As a small business owner, managing the supply chain can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially when you have many other responsibilities to worry about. Fortunately, technology has made it easier to manage your supply chain more efficiently and effectively. Here are some pros and cons to…  Read more

As a small business owner, you may be considering enabling a remote work environment. With the rise of technology and the pandemic shifting the way we work, managing a remote team has become a popular option for business owners looking for new and unique ways to grow their business.  However, there are both benefits and drawbacks to consider before making the switch. We’ll start with the benefits. A larger talent…  Read more

It’s hard to go a day without reading something in the news about the state of the economy. Whether it’s interest rates rising or the cost of living, there’s no getting around the fact that in 2023 there are many doing it tougher than a few years ago. But while there are some economic challenges for individuals and businesses, it’s important to not go too far down the rabbit hole.…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Tradies say raising pension age “unfair” after a life of hard work takes its toll Hardworking Aussies fear a decision to lift the pension age to 67 means they will be forced to work even longer in labouring jobs. Consumer watchdog says Australians paying too much for electricity As…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. One of biggest defence deals in Australia’s history inked in Berlin Australia will export more than 100 Brisbane-made Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles to Germany starting in 2025 under a $1 billion deal. The military vehicles will be produced in Redbank and will secure around 1,000 jobs. Gas ‘plays a…  Read more

As a business owner, you know that the right people are crucial to your company’s success. The best employees can help you achieve your business goals, improve your productivity, and drive growth. But finding the people best suited to your team can be daunting, and sometimes it’s easy to hire someone who seems okay, rather than taking the time to find the best fit.  Here are some steps you can…  Read more

As a small business owner, you know the importance of getting the word out about your company and engaging with customers. Social media platforms are indispensable tools for achieving this.  The following is a guide to help you leverage social media to increase your brand’s awareness, engage with customers, and generate leads. Step 1: Define Your Goals Before diving into the world of social media, it’s crucial to identify your…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Electricity prices rising In May, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) confirmed that energy prices would rise by 19.6 per cent and 23.9 per cent in NSW, SA and southeast Queensland. Electricity prices are set to increase by up to 25% from 1 July. Chinese travellers invited to Come and…  Read more

Court penalises AMP $24 million for charging deceased customers The Federal Court has found that four companies that are or were part of the AMP Group breached the law when charging life insurance premiums and advice fees from the superannuation accounts of more than 2,000 deceased customers. The Federal Court ordered two of these AMP companies to pay a combined penalty of $24 million for the breaches. Both AMP Life…  Read more

How often do you feel like a superhero, taking on the world and tackling everything that comes your way? If you’re a small business owner, chances are it’s more often than not! The demands of running a small business can weigh heavy on our shoulders at times, and as business owners we often try to do everything ourselves. The success of your business depends not just on you, but also…  Read more