PAYG instalments are one of those tax obligations that often catch business owners off guard—especially when the amount suddenly increases. The key to avoiding surprises is understanding that some changes are automatic, while others depend on when your latest tax...

“Wash sales” have become a major focus for the ATO — and for good reason. These transactions artificially create capital losses by selling an asset and buying it back shortly after, purely to reduce tax. Here’s what you need to know to avoid accidentally stepping over...

The way superannuation is paid to employees in Australia is changing. Under the “Payday Super” regime, employers may need to report and pay super contributions at the same time as wages, rather than quarterly. This is part of the ATO’s push to make super more...

Running a trade business involves a lot of moving parts, from purchasing tools and materials to driving between sites. The good news is that many of your business expenses are tax-deductible — but only if you claim them correctly. The ATO also has certain focus areas...

Lodging your Business Activity Statement (BAS) might feel routine, but small bookkeeping mistakes can add up. Even minor BAS errors in GST reporting, PAYG withholding, or expense classification can trigger amendments, interest, or additional work. Over time, these...

If you own shares, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), or cryptocurrency, it’s important to understand your obligations when it comes to capital gains tax (CGT). The ATO requires accurate record-keeping to calculate any gains or losses when you sell, trade, or otherwise...

For many small business owners, Excel and Google Sheets have been the go-to tools for tracking income, expenses and cash flow. They’re familiar, flexible, and “free.” But the world of accounting has changed — and relying on spreadsheets alone can hold your business...

Being a company director comes with real legal responsibilities — and one of the most important (and often misunderstood) is your personal liability for PAYG withholding, GST and superannuation. If your company falls behind on these ATO obligations, you might receive...

When it comes to ATO record-keeping rules, most business owners fall into one of two camps: the ones who keep every scrap of paper “just in case,” and the ones who cross their fingers and hope their accounting software is doing all the heavy lifting. The truth sits...