Family business tax planning with property and trusts

A lightbulb sits atop a chalked thought bubble on a small blackboard

Running a family business or building wealth through investments comes with its own tax challenges and opportunities. The ATO is watching these areas more closely than ever, but there are still plenty of legitimate ways to structure your affairs to minimise tax – you just need to know the rules and play by them. What’s … Read more

Super planning for business owners in 2025

Fixed Fee Accounting

Superannuation is still one of the best legal tax shelters we have in Australia. The problem is, most small business owners either ignore it completely or make expensive mistakes because the rules keep changing. Let’s cut through the complexity and focus on what actually works for Australian business owners in 2025. The Big Super Changes … Read more

Small business tax planning to do before 30 June 2025

$50 Australian Dollar notes from Maximum Tax Refunds Albury Wodonga accountants

June is crunch time for Australian small business owners. With 30 June around the corner, there are genuine opportunities to reduce your tax bill legally – but only if you act fast. The ATO has changed the rules on several key areas this year, so let’s cut through the jargon and focus on what actually … Read more

Trust Compliance & Distributions

Clayton Wood of Business Edge Advisors in a desk meeting with a client

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is actively targeting trusts and how trusts distribute income to beneficiaries. A number of clients have requested a review of their structures to ensure that they are in the best possible position in the future. We want to help you achieve the best result. ATO’s Top 5 Trust Checklist for … Read more

Are You Missing Super Payments? Why the Super Guarantee Rules Could Affect Your Business (Even If You Use Contractors)

Group fitness instructors leading a class at a gym – relevant to superannuation guarantee obligations for contractors and sole traders in the fitness industry

If you run a small business — whether it’s a café, gym, festival, or you’re a tradie hiring subcontractors — you might be surprised to learn that you could be legally required to pay superannuation (Super Guarantee or SG) to people you don’t consider traditional employees. That’s because the SG rules use a much broader … Read more

Budget 2025-26: Missing the Measure for Small Businesses

Chalkboard titled ‘Budget Plan’ with bar graphs, symbolizing financial strategies for the Federal Budget 2025-26

The Federal Budget 2025-26 has arrived with a range of promises—tax cuts, energy bill relief, and measures aimed at boosting the economy. But not everything made it across the line. A key small-business measure, the $20,000 instant asset write-off, remains stalled in Parliament, leaving many entrepreneurs unsure about their next move. In this post, we’ll … Read more

FBT 2025: What You Need to Know

Electric cars lined up in a charging station, representing the FBT 2025 exemption for electric vehicles

The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year ends on 31 March 2025, and there are key updates for employers and employees. Here’s what you need to know. FBT Exemption for Electric Cars If your business provides an electric vehicle (EV) to an employee, you may qualify for an FBT exemption if: The car is a zero … Read more

Bendel case: unpaid present entitlements are not Division 7A loans

A judge's gavel on a desk with legal documents, symbolizing the Bendel case decision on Division 7A and tax law.

The Full Federal Court has ruled in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2025] FCAFC 15, confirming that unpaid present entitlements (UPEs) owed to corporate beneficiaries are not loans for Division 7A purposes. This decision has significant implications for trust structures and tax planning, potentially overturning the ATO’s long-standing position. What Was the Issue? Since December … Read more