As of 1 January 2025, Australian businesses will face significant changes to wage theft legislation. Employers who deliberately underpay workers or fail to meet their obligations under Fair Work laws could face severe penalties, including fines up to $7.8 million and jail time of up to 10 years. These reforms mark a major shift in … Read more
Clayton
Clayton Wood
Clayton has run Business Edge Advisors since 2013. The practice has been on the border since 1988, and he took it over with the same idea it started with: a business owner should be able to ring their accountant and get a straight answer.
Most of his week goes on trade and small business owners around Albury and Wodonga, working through the things that actually decide whether a year went well. What structure to be in, what to do before 30 June, and whether the numbers on the screen mean what the owner thinks they mean. He writes here about the questions that come up most often, in the same words he would use across the desk.
Registered Tax Agent 20651000. Level 1, 561 Olive Street, Albury NSW 2640.
What he writes about
- Tax, which is mostly what you can claim, what gets knocked back, and what changed this year.
- Xero and bookkeeping, for owners who would rather the software did the work.
- Business planning, being the part that happens before the numbers are already bad.
- Individual returns, because a lot of business clients started as a personal return.
The festive season brings both opportunities and challenges for small business owners. While the cost of living has slightly eased, many households are still feeling the pinch. For businesses, the key to navigating this period is careful planning and strategic decision-making. Here’s how you can manage the volatility and make the most of the Christmas … Read more
Picture this: You log into your myGov account, only to discover that your activity statements for the past year have been altered, and GST credits of $100,000 have been issued. But you didn’t receive any such refund. What happened? Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming more common. Scammers are targeting myGov accounts, changing bank details, and … Read more
As we look ahead to 2024-25, the business environment is likely to be shaped by several key factors, from tax changes to economic forecasts. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead: Personal Tax and Superannuation Changes Tax Cuts: From 1 July 2024, personal income tax cuts came into effect, impacting individual take-home pay. … Read more
This article covers the 2023-24 financial year. The instant asset write-off threshold and the eligibility rules are set year by year and have changed since. Before you rely on any figure below, check the current position on the ATO’s instant asset write-off page, or ask us what applies to your business this year. The Instant … Read more
With the rise of remote work, many individuals are looking to claim home office deductions on their tax returns. The ATO has provided clarity on how to approach these claims, focusing on two primary methods: the Revised Fixed Rate Method and the Actual Cost Method. Here’s what you need to know. Understanding the Revised Fixed … Read more
Due 28 August every year If you are in building and construction and you pay subbies, you probably do. The report itself takes ten minutes. Making sure it is not quietly missing half your contractors is the part nobody writes about, so that is what most of this page is. Am I even in scope?Or … Read more
As tax season approaches, it’s essential for businesses and individuals to be aware of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) key focus areas. Understanding these hot spots can help you stay compliant and avoid potential audits. This comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed insights into the ATO’s primary areas of scrutiny for 2024 and how … Read more
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is a tax employers pay on certain benefits they provide to their employees (or their employees’ associates) in addition to salary or wages. Entertainment benefits are a common type of fringe benefit that includes business lunches, social functions, and events. This guide aims to provide small business owners with a comprehensive … Read more