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All documents are with the auditor  just waiting on sign-off Still pulling records together  getting there Haven’t started yet  slightly nervous Not sure what I need  need a hand Keep your answer in mind  the rest of this blog will show you where to focus. Introduction Here’s a fact worth pausing on. Australia now has...

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Quick Reader Poll Before we dive in , where does your business sit right now? I never surcharged , this ban doesn’t change much for me I used to surcharge , I’ve adjusted pricing already I used to surcharge , I’m still working out what to do I’m not sure if my systems are compliant...

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Quick number to sit with for a second: the ATO currently charges 11.43% general interest charge, compounding daily, on underpaid tax for the July–September 2026 quarter. That’s a higher rate than most business overdrafts. And since 1 July 2025, you can’t even claim it as a deduction anymore. It’s just gone, straight off your bottom...

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Introduction Here’s a fact that might make you sit up. Since 2014, the Victorian Government has introduced or increased 55 different taxes, many affecting property, according to Parliamentary Budget Office data. Property taxes alone bring in roughly $21.5 billion a year in Victoria. That’s almost half of the state’s total tax revenue. That’s one reason...

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Introduction Right, this one’s a big deal. And not just for tax nerds. On 10 June 2026, the High Court of Australia handed down its decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2026] HCA 18. In a 5-2 majority, it dismissed the ATO’s appeal, meaning unpaid present entitlements (UPEs) from trusts to corporate beneficiaries are...

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Introduction Thinking about setting up your own SMSF? You’re in very good company. Australians are flocking to self-managed super funds at rates we haven’t seen in years. According to the ATO’s March 2026 SMSF Quarterly Statistical Report, there are now 672,805 SMSFs across the country, holding approximately $1.06 trillion in assets. That’s 1,239,977 Australians taking...

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Introduction Here is a bit of a wake-up call to kick off with. In the 2024-25 financial year, the ATO issued more than 84,500 Director Penalty Notices. That’s a 136% jump on the year before. And it’s targeting roughly $5.5 billion in unpaid business tax debts. Now, let that sink in for a second. If...

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Introduction Heads up, contractors. Tax Time 2026 has changed how contractor income may appear in your tax return.For the first time ever, the ATO is pre-filling your contractor income directly into your tax return using TPAR data. Which sounds handy on paper. And in some ways, it is. But here’s what contractors need to understand....

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According to data released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australia’s total superannuation assets have crossed $4.3 trillion. With new and emerging rules, Australia’s superannuation system is continuing to evolve. As the landscape of superannuation shifts, it is important to stay informed and prepared. Do remember, you need to adapt your superannuation strategies in Australia...

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The Biggest Tax Shake-Up in 25 Years: What Small Business Owners Need to Know Do you remember, on the night of 12 May 2026, Treasurer Jim Chalmers stood up and delivered what he called “the most important and ambitious Budget in decades.” The 2026–27 Federal Budget contains the most sweeping structural tax reforms Australia has...

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Introduction So you’ve made it through 30 June. The trust resolutions are signed (you think). The accountant has been chased. The paperwork is filed somewhere. But there’s a nagging feeling at the back of your mind. “Did we actually get that done properly?” If you’re sitting with that question right now, you’re not alone. Every...

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Why Tax Debt Now Costs More for Australian Businesses Introduction If you’ve ever leaned on an ATO payment plan to tide your business over, there’s something you need to know. The rules have changed, and not in your favour. From 1 July 2025, the interest the ATO charges on overdue tax debts is no longer...

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