Usually yes. And the identical carton, opened at your Christmas do, usually is not. Same beer, same client, same money, completely different tax outcome. Here is where the line actually sits, with the ATO’s own ruling and examples. The short answer A gift you give a client is deductible if you gave it to win … Read more
A truck driver kept a $32,782 meal claim with no receipts after the Federal Court dismissed the ATO’s appeal. What Shaw’s case means for your 2026 return.
Published 13 May 2026 | 10 min read Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down his fifth Budget last night, calling it “the most important and ambitious Budget in decades.” Every accounting firm in the country has published a wrap by now. Most are written for corporate CFOs. This one is for the small business owner running … Read more
If your business owns a car and you sometimes use it for personal trips, you’ve probably heard the words “Fringe Benefits Tax” thrown around – usually in a way that makes it sound expensive and confusing. The good news? It doesn’t have to be either. This article walks through the basics of how company car … Read more
The FBT year ends 31 March 2026. Returns are due 21 May 2026 on paper, or 25 June 2026 if lodged electronically through us. Every year we get the same question from clients: “We don’t think we’ve got anything to pay – do we even need to lodge?” The answer has changed. Here’s why 2026 … Read more
If you run a trade business and you’ve put staff in dual-cab utes, there’s a story doing the rounds you need to hear. A Melbourne restaurant operator got hit with a $938,000 FBT bill. Invalid logbooks, no FBT returns lodged, staff using work vehicles privately. The ATO added a 75% penalty for reckless behaviour and … Read more
At tax time, it’s crucial for NDIS support workers to understand what they can and cannot claim as work-related deductions. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has recently highlighted support workers as an area of focus, with many incorrect claims being made. Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all. Quick Tip: The ATO has … Read more
Picture this: It’s mid-July, and Sarah from the local café calls you in a panic. “My accountant says I should have finalised something called STP weeks ago, and now my staff can’t lodge their tax returns!” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of Albury Wodonga business owners find themselves scrambling through Single Touch … Read more
(It’s Not About the Paperwork) Let’s be honest – when someone mentions “tax planning,” your first thought probably isn’t “exciting business opportunity.” Most business owners see it as a necessary evil, like getting a root canal or sitting through council meetings. But here’s what the really successful business owners know: tax planning isn’t about paperwork. … Read more
Advanced business structuring and succession planning can create significant tax advantages and wealth preservation opportunities. However, with the ATO’s heightened focus on privately owned wealthy groups and increased penalties for non-compliance, these strategies require expert implementation and ongoing management. ATO Focus on Advanced Structures $999 Million Compliance Funding The Government has allocated $999 million over … Read more
