August 2022 Tax time focus on rental property income and deductions The ATO is focusing on four major concerns this tax season when it comes to rental properties. Concern 1: Include all rental income When preparing tax returns, make sure all rental income is included, such as from short-term rental arrangements, renting part of a home, and other rental-related income like insurance payouts and rental bond money retained. Concern 2:…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Business Council suggests rebranding to entice overseas workers To help weather the storm of high inflation, supply chain issues, and a skilled worker shortfall, Business Council of Australia released a paper proposing we “rebrand” to convince foreign workers to relocate here and help the economy. Economy in trouble as…  Read more

When you start a business, you’re typically your only employee and payroll is about as simple as it gets. But as you grow, you hopefully find yourself in the position of needing to take on more employees. Before you know it, what was once a very straightforward task becomes a giant undertaking that’s sucking up most of your time. This is when it makes sense to outsource your payroll. While…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Mortgage payment struggles lie ahead for homeowners RBA Deputy Governor Michelle Bullock estimates that 30 percent of homeowners will struggle to make mortgage payments as interest rates rise. Payment increases of 40 percent may be seen among homeowners who took advantage of record low fixed rates just five years…  Read more

Most people need some help when it comes to financial planning and investing. That’s when we turn to financial advisors. With many options available, it’s important to ensure you choose a financial advisor that you can trust and feel comfortable with. So what are some signs that a financial advisor is a good fit for you? Here are some things to look for when deciding who is best for you…  Read more

Most companies need a website to conduct their business, but it’s also a critical piece of the puzzle in attracting amazing team members. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your website is always making a great impression, so you can attract great people to join your team. 1. Think of your website as your storefront These days, your website is the online face of your…  Read more

Complaints are an unfortunate part of running a business, but they do happen. No matter how hard you work to please your clients, eventually someone will have something negative to say. However, with the right approach, you can turn complaints into a useful tool to strengthen your business. Here are 6 tips to effectively responding to complaints: 1. Remember that this is not an argument The reason that a client…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Many air travellers stranded as airports see busiest days since the beginning of the pandemic A significant portion of the airline workforce is recovering from COVID-19 or the flu, making flight delays and cancellations increasingly common. Doctors urge 4th shot as COVID-19 cases rise again As a new Omicron…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. How to keep your tax bill low With tax time upon us, here are 8 simple ways you can maximise your refund or keep your bill as small as possible. It’s a good time to catch up on your taxes It’s required to lodge your tax return every year,…  Read more

Meetings are often a source of contention in the workplace. Have too few meetings and people feel disconnected. Have too many meetings and people feel that their work is being interrupted. Meetings that are too short might not accomplish enough, while those that are too long lose people’s attention. With some planning and preparation, you can easily turn your meetings into a productive, pleasant experience. Your attendees will come away…  Read more

Whether it’s for personal use or for your business, cash flow is important. The movement of money in and out keeps everything running smoothly, and you have to know where you stand. But what if it seems that your cash flow isn’t really, well, flowing? If it seems that you’ve tightened your belt in every area and still coming up short, you might have cash flow issues. Here are some…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Lack of Chinese investment worrying A new report shows that Chinese investment in the Australian economy fell a staggering 69 per cent in the last financial year, reaching 2007 levels. The shift signals a change in the international financial landscape. ATO cracks down on family trust fraud, worrying tax…  Read more

The world of investing is daunting for many people. There’s so much to learn and a lot of terminology that isn’t part of the everyday lexicon. Dividends, EPS, historical returns… and what exactly is an NFT? But once you’ve mastered the basics and the language of investing, there’s another question at play: how do you choose the right investments for you? Of course, the goal of investing is to grow…  Read more

Payroll is one of those things that starts out simply enough. You start your business, hire a few employees, and things tick along pretty well. It’s straightforward enough to keep everything in line at first, but what happens to most companies is… they grow! This is a great thing, but it also means that payroll becomes more complicated. As such an important aspect of your business, it’s important that payroll…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Changes to aged care payment system Services Australia is updating the aged care payment system. Residential aged care services events won’t be able to be submitted between 14 to 22 July. Read the details here. Food tech company NotCo expanding into Australia The company produces plant-based milk, beef, and…  Read more

The working environment of the past 2 years has brought the concept of burnout to the forefront. Unexpected work-from-home situations, juggling the new normal, and mental fatigue have all contributed to the issue. Recognizing employee burnout and having a plan to address it will ensure you retain employees and keep your company healthy. 1. Ensure everyone takes their time off In an attempt to appear as though they can handle…  Read more

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. ASX carries momentum into a new week The local sharemarket started the week at a three-week high, coming off a rally from last week. Tech and payment firms were among the industries leading the charge. Bubs jumps 80% as deal struck to aid US Baby formula manufacturer Bubs Australia…  Read more

Virtually everyone can use a savings account to help build up their wealth, but with so many options available, how do you pick the best savings account for you? The number of options available might make it more difficult to select which savings account to choose, but it also means that with a little bit of knowledge, research and strategy, you can almost certainly find a savings account that fits…  Read more

When you’re in business for long enough, you’ll likely come up with new ideas you want to try. Innovation is important for your company to grow, to diversify its income, and to attract new customers. An important step between having an idea and jumping into it is testing the idea. Here are some important ways to test your idea, so you can launch it with confidence. 1. Talk to people…  Read more

Australia Weekly Digest – 25 May 2022 Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Antony Albanese becomes Australia’s PM First Labor PM in nearly a decade vows to bring Australians together, and “promote unity and optimism, not fear and division.” ASX sinks again after Wall Street “bloodbath” The stock market was down again last week, taking…  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