,

Your Beginner’s Guide to Australian Tax Deductions

Tax deductions may seem complicated at first, but they’re actually pretty straightforward if you know what you’re doing. To make things easier for you, we thought it would be useful to put together a brief article about how tax deductions work. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on for a beginner’s guide to Australian tax deductions.

How Do Tax Deductions Work?

When submitting a tax return, anyone who is employed can claim deductions for any expenses they paid while working. To be able to claim deductions, the taxpayer is required to have met the following criteria

  • You must have documents to prove it.
  • You must spend the money yourself.
  • The expenses must not have been reimbursed.
  • The expenses must be work-related.

Keep in mind that if the expense you are claiming is for both work and private purposes, you can only claim a portion of the costs that were utilized for work.

What Are the Different Types of Deductions?

Business travel expenses are typically tax-deductible. You are entitled to deduct the work-related travel expenses that correspond to the business-related costs of using your car to do your job. You must be able to prove the use of your car for business travel in order to deduct any car expenses.

Do you have to wear a suit to work, or is a uniform required? Or do you need to wear clothes that bear the logo of your company? Maybe you work at a shop that sells clothes, and you need to come in wearing clothes from that shop. In any case, you have to dress according to the dress code at work, and this expectation might carry over into your interactions with the taxman when it comes time to file your taxes. If you wear clothing that is specific to your occupation, you can claim the cost of purchasing and laundering it. Otherwise, you cannot. (For example, chef’s pants.) You can claim the cost of special clothing that you wear to protect yourself from injury or illness, such as a uniform for construction workers that protects them from dust and sun. (For example, sun protection can be claimed if you work outdoors.)

If you carry out all or part of your employment activities from home, and you have a designated room set aside as a home office, then you can claim a tax deduction. Ideally, you should have a room set aside as a home office, but if you don’t have one, or if you are using a dual-purpose room (e.g. dining room), you can still claim expenses for the time that you have exclusive use of the room.

As with anything tax-related, record-keeping is critical for a home office deduction. You may be entitled to deductions for equipment used for work (e.g. computer, phone), general repairs and maintenance on your house that are work-related (e.g. electricity), and some other costs (e.g. Internet connection). Note that as a general rule, you can only claim for expenses in proportion to the area of your home that is used for work.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of how tax deductions work. While it may seem complicated at first, the information that we’ve outlined above should help make things more manageable. Feel free to reread this article if you need a quick refresher on tax deductions.

SMB Accounting has knowledgeable tax consultants who can help you get started with taking care of your tax refunds. We make sure that our clients use their tax refunds wisely, and we also offer other services such as accounting and business advice. Contact us today for a consultation!

/by

Why a Secure Trust Account Is Crucial for Real Estate Agents

Real estate agencies hold many millions of dollars in their trust accounts. These funds are held ‘in trust’ for clients and customers of the agency. It is one of the fiduciary duties of an agent to keep their clients’ funds safe. A fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care in equity or law.

Why a Secure Trust Account Is Crucial for Real Estate Agents

A real estate agent is required to act in good faith and with loyalty to a client’s best interests. Additionally, an agency must take every reasonable precaution to protect the integrity of client deposits. With that in mind, having a secure trust account is critical for the success of every real estate agent. 

A secure trust account allows the agent to hold client funds without having to worry about how to protect them. Essentially, having a secure trust account ensures that the agent never has to worry about losing a client’s money.

What Is a Secure Trust Account?

A secure trust account is one that is held by a financial institution in a manner that will ensure clients’ funds are kept safe. This trust account is segregated from the agency’s operating account. An agency may open a trust account in order to meet its fiduciary obligations to both its clients and the real estate industry.

Keep in mind that removing money from the trust account for any other reason beyond the client’s request will be considered a criminal offence. That’s why every real estate agent needs to stay on top of their trust accounts and follow the best practices that can give peace of mind to all parties involved. 

How Do You Securely Manage Trust Accounts?

Tip #1: Track and Report Everything that Goes In or Out of the Trust Account

Each time an individual deposits money or checks into a trust account, the agent should prepare a proper records document. This document should include their signature, the date, and a statement describing the transaction (such as “cash deposit $10,000”). These records should be kept in a safe or secure location.

Tip #2: Set Strict Rules Regarding Processes and Procedures

Firms should establish strict rules for the handling of trust accounts. This includes everything from how cash deposits are made to how withdrawals are processed. In addition, these rules should be clearly communicated to all real estate agents handling trust accounts.

Tip #3: Assign Key Roles to Manage the Responsibility of Processing Trust Accounts

Trust account management, processing, and reporting can be extremely complex. It is important for the company to assign specific roles to those who are managing trust accounts. This will help to ensure all areas of the trust accounts are being properly handled.

Assigning roles will also mitigate common pitfalls such as absenteeism, errors, or something graver like money laundering, misreporting, and insider theft.

The Bottom Line: The Importance of a Secure Trust Account for Real Estate Agents

A secure trust account allows agents to manage all aspects of their clients’ and customers’ funds with the peace of mind that they are working in their best interest. This is especially useful in the real estate industry where client funds are frequently being transferred in and out of trust accounts. Because of this, it is important for agents to understand how to properly secure their trust accounts.

How Can We Help You?

There’s no denying that financial audits or reports can be incredibly overwhelming for some businesses. Thankfully, SMB Accounting has a team of highly skilled accountants who are equipped for this job.

Our accounting firm offers various financial services like individual tax returns, accounting for small businesses, self-managed super fund audits and more. If you’re looking for a reliable accountant in Caloundra to help you run your business, reach out to us today!

/by
,

6 Helpful Advantages of Internal Audits for Small Businesses

Small businesses benefit greatly from internal audits, and there are many more advantages than you might realize. In actuality, internal audits are relied upon by the majority of small businesses today. Hiring a specialist to conduct the internal audit is typically helpful for small organizations that have their hands full in various departments. 

The short answer would be that working with auditors is a cost-effective way of seeing where your company needs to make financial improvements. For a more in-depth look at the help that internal audits offer to your small business, the following are some of its most helpful advantages:

1) Gain Valuable Insight

The first benefit of an internal audit is that it supplies you with useful information. An internal audit allows you to examine your firm and identify areas for improvement. The audit will also assist you in determining whether there are any dangers to the company’s existence, and you can use it to track your company’s financial success.

2) Achieve Better Compliance

The internal audit will determine whether or not you comply with applicable laws and regulations. This will ensure that you are always running as effectively as possible. Compliance with regulations and legislation is necessary to avoid fines and penalties. No need to fret because internal auditing will assist you in accomplishing this.

3) Raise Efficiency

If you have never performed an internal audit, you should do so as soon as possible. The main goal is to achieve and maintain efficiency within the organization. You may not be aware of the progress your organization is making, but an audit can be seen as an eyeopener. This is because it will allow you to make sure everything is running smoothly, ensuring and raising efficiency in your operations.

4) Have Better Overall Control

Whether you have a larger company or a small business, you need to have sufficient control over everything that goes on. By conducting an internal audit, you will have better control over your company. If you are just starting, then you need to take precautions to make sure your business is secure, and the best option is to perform an internal audit.

5) Secure Processes

The main advantage of doing an internal audit is that it allows you to secure your business procedures. Internal audits can be quite beneficial to small businesses. A standard internal audit will ensure that everything financial is handled correctly and that the processes are completed. This is an excellent technique for small businesses to ensure everything is going well.

6) Prevent Business Risk

Internal audits will enable you to keep your firm safe from any unnecessary risks that can plague you throughout your operations. You will have a better chance of detecting possible issues if you have already identified them internally. These audits will also highlight flaws in your organization, allowing you to take corrective action.

Conclusion

 In conclusion, whether you are a large corporation or a small business, conducting an internal audit makes sure that everything is running smoothly. Readers should have a pretty good idea of what an internal audit is and how valuable it is for a business, so execute it now.

Looking for an audit of your processes? SMB Accounting does small business accounting with various packages available,  self-managed Super fund audits and Xero accounting software. Get in touch with us today!

/by
,

Essential Tips to Avoid a Huge Tax Bill as a Sole Trader

If you find yourself with a bigger tax bill than anticipated, don’t panic. With a little bit of planning, you can avoid this common issue for sole traders. All you need are a few software tools and a basic understanding of your tax schedule. Use our practical tips to better manage your income and taxes, and you’ll be on your way to avoiding a massive tax bill down the road.

Essential Tips to Avoid a Huge Tax Bill as a Sole Trader

1 – Be Knowledgeable About Your Tax Bracket and Tax Rates

Your effective tax rate is the tax rate you pay on your taxable income. The more you earn, the higher your tax rate will be. Your tax bracket is determined by your filing status and taxable income.

Certain expenses are deductible, meaning they will lower your taxable income and lower your tax liability. However, they’re only deductible if they’re business expenses. You’ll need to keep track of all your expenses, including mileage and travel, to ensure that you’re getting the most tax savings possible.

2 – Separate Business and Personal Accounts

A large tax bill usually occurs when your business and personal accounts are mixed together. Your business accounts and credit cards should not be used for personal items. Try to keep as much of your money in business accounts as possible.

Keep your business and personal finances separate and organized. Use separate checking accounts and business credit cards. If you’re self-employed, open your own business bank account. Then, once a week, transfer any money you earned that week into that account. This will help you keep track of your income, and it will also help you identify where you’re spending your money so you can keep a better eye on it.

3 – Anticipate Your Tax Bill

The easiest way to avoid a huge tax bill is to plan for it. Keep track of your income for the year. Try to anticipate what your final tax bill might be before it’s time to pay it.

If you have a home office, keep good records of your home office expenses. If you have a second car, keep a good track of how many miles you’re driving and what you’re driving it for. If you’re planning a big purchase, like a car or a home, consider how it will affect your taxes. Planning ahead will help you avoid a big tax bill.

4 – Hire a Tax Professional

The best way to avoid a huge tax bill is to hire a tax professional. A good accountant will make sure you’re doing everything properly and taking advantage of everything the government allows to lower your tax bill.

Good accounting firms will offer pre-filing tax services, year-end tax planning and tax preparation services. Those services can help you keep an eye on your business income and expenses as they happen throughout the year, which will ultimately help you minimize your tax bill.

Conclusion

A big tax bill can be stressful and overwhelming. A big bill could be in the thousands, and that money could have been used to pay bills, pay down debt or save for retirement. Fortunately, if you’re prepared, you can minimize your tax bill and avoid an unexpected tax bill.

If you need an accounting firms on the Sunshine Coast to help with your taxes, contact SMB Accounting. Our business does Individual tax returns, small business accounting with various small business accounting packages available, SMSF audits (self-managed super funds), as well as a Xero accounting software-based accounting business. We also offer the following audits: trust account audits, audits of non-profit organizations, audits of special purposes financial statements, special needs audits, and more.

/by
,

How to Know If Your Sporting Club Can be Tax Exempt

Sport is a significant part of Australian culture and social life. It provides entertainment and recreation and contributes to health and well-being.

Many sporting clubs, for example, are registered for tax exemption on the basis that they provide or contribute to the provision of facilities and materials, services and education to their members. Those are predominantly for social, cultural, recreational and sporting purposes.

Today, let’s explore how to know if your sporting club can be exempt. Here’s what you need to know:

What Type of Entity Is Your Organisation?

If your organisation is incorporated, it will be an Australian Public Company (or a non-registered public company) or a non-profit public organisation. Both categories of incorporated entities will require you to be a registered charity. If not incorporated, you might be a non-profit company, not-for-profit organisation, or non-profit public organisation.

To become a registered charity, you will have to apply to the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC). The ACNC will tell you if your organisation can be a registered charity and if it can be a public company. If your organisation is already registered, it will provide you with the relevant details of your registration.

What Is Your Organisation’s Purpose?

Before engaging in tax exemption, your organisation must demonstrate that its purpose is charitable. It is for a public benefit, that it does not make a profit, and that it is not an organisation established for profit.

The ACNC has produced a set of public benefit principles to guide a group considering applying to be a registered charity.

Suppose your organisation is applying to be a public company. In that case, you will have to demonstrate that you need to be a company to achieve your purpose. In other words, you will need to show that you are a charitable organisation under the Corporations Act 2001.

Some examples of organisations that have been established as public companies include The Bupa Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Income Tax Exemption for Sporting Clubs

Suppose your organisation has been determined to be a public charity or a public company and has a purpose relating to the sport. In that case, it might qualify for income tax exemption.

To qualify for income tax exemption, your organisation must meet certain conditions. The only condition that applies to public charity status is that your organisation must be a “substantial contributor” to sport (or to providing facilities for sport).

The ACNC has published guidelines on what it considers a substantial contributor. Other than that, the income tax exemption that applies to public companies is very similar to the income tax exemption that applies to public companies.

Other Things to Consider

In addition to income tax exemption, there is a range of other taxes and duties available to sporting organisations that fit within the definition of a ‘substantial contributor to sport’.

The application of the GST and duty exemptions for public companies is similar to that for other public companies. For public companies that have been determined to be a public charities, there are GST and duty exemptions that apply to the charity’s activities. These are broadly similar to those that apply to non-profit companies.

The ACNC provides more information about the tax treatment of charities and public companies.

If you are considering applying for income tax exemption for your sporting club, it would be a good idea to seek the assistance of a tax professional.

The Bottom Line

Suppose your sporting club is a registered charity or a public company. In that case, your purpose is for sporting purposes, and you are a substantial contributor to the sport, you might be eligible for income tax exemption. Check with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission to find out if your organisation can be a registered charity and if it can be a public company.

If you are looking for assistance with your trust account audits, we can help you. SMB Accounting does individual tax returns, small business accounting with various small business accounting packages available, audits, and more. Contact us today or sign up for our newsletter to learn more!

/by
,

2022/2023 Federal Budget

March 29 2022 treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handed down the budget. Having a strategy of stimulus pursued alongside major infrastructure, health and defense spending. Borders are open and Australia is getting back to business Added to this spending, is the assistance through tax breaks and cash payments to assist with the cost of living…Download our full budget summary

/by

The Benefits of Regular Auditing for Small Businesses

For small businesses, auditing can be extra and unnecessary work. It can be costly, and small businesses would rather not do so, especially if not required. However, auditing can be beneficial for a lot of small businesses. If you consider getting your business audited, check the list below to learn more about how it could help your business.

Applying for a Business Loan

If you are planning to get a business loan, you need to be able to present your company as a legitimate business to the lender. An excellent way to do this is by getting your business audited by an expert. A business audit can help make your business look like a viable investment on the lender’s part; they want to ensure that your business is doing well so they do not lose their money.

Securing Government Grants

Like with lenders, the government will not give grants to just anyone. They would want to receive an accurate financial statement of how the business is faring. An audit will not only provide accurate data, but it can be excellent proof that the company is doing good and will continue to do well in the future.

Keeping Shareholders Updated

Shareholders will want to know how well the business is doing financially. They would like to keep track, considering they own a part of the business. An audit will give your shareholders a good view of the stand of the business in terms of its finances. It assures them that they are not being swindled and that their investment is in good hands.

It will also help them understand which aspects of the business may need more attention than others and how they can continue to support the company as shareholders.

Track Fraudulent Activity

If your business is not auditing, anyone can get away with committing fraud, especially the employees. Auditing is a detailed manner of checking finances and identifying any discrepancies in statements. Furthermore, you can check the business’s weak areas and see what can be done about them.

Without an audit, your business could be easily losing money without being detected. It may already be too late by the time you notice it, and the perpetrator can get away with it and hide their tracks.

Selling Your Business

For people planning to sell their businesses, audits are a must. An audit will give buyers all the information they need to make a good decision on purchasing a business. It will provide buyers with confidence in the choice, and it would also make sure the owner commits no fraud.

Complying with Regulatory Obligations

If you are not auditing your small business, you are not complying with rules and regulations. It is a good idea to get your business regularly audited to have documents to show that you comply with Australia’s laws.

Conclusion

If you have not been auditing your small business, then it is time you do so. Auditing can help your business get loans and apply for government grants, as well as keep your shareholders updated on your financial status. It will also help you track any fraud or discrepancies in the company and help you prevent it before it gets worse. Overall, auditing gives you an overview of your business and how it is going.

If you need a small business audit done, you can work with SMB Accounting. You do not have to worry about keeping track of your books and finances, and you can focus on growing your business. Contact SMB Accounting today to get started.

/by
,

What You Can Deduct or Write Off in Your Small Business Tax

A tax deduction reduces taxable income, allowing qualifying businesses and individuals to lower their tax obligations. There are two basic types of tax deduction in Australia: deductions for eligible expenses and tax deductions for specific types of income. If you are preparing your business for tax season, keep in mind that you could get potential tax deductions if you know the right one for you. 

Let this article enumerate some you can use.

The Instant Business Asset Write-Off

The instant asset write-off is available to businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million. The main goal of this is to reduce the compliance burden of small businesses and allow them to invest more in their business assets.

From March 2020, every asset’s instant asset write-off threshold amount is $150,000, significantly higher than the previous $30,000. Businesses are also allowed until 30 June 2021 to first use or install the said asset, which should have been ready for use. The only note is that the asset should have been purchased by 31 December 2020.

This tax deduction is for small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million and allows a depreciation deduction for assets used to generate income. It aims to ensure businesses have enough money to cover the cost of assets and reduce the burden for small businesses.

Your Prepaid Expenses

If you are a small business owner, you may be able to claim a tax deduction on work you have already done. That includes paying a deposit on your business premises or buying stock to be sold in your small business. Remember, though, that your prepaid expenses must help you earn taxable income.

There is one important thing to remember when claiming your prepaid expenses. If you use the cash basis tax system, the prepaid expenses must be paid in the same income year. If you use the accrual basis, you can claim prepaid expenses under the following rules:

You can claim the expenses if they are incurred and paid in the same income year. If the expenses were incurred but not paid in the income year, you could claim the payments in the income year you paid for them. 

Personal Super Contributions Deductions

If you make personal super contributions, you can claim them as a tax deduction. To qualify for this tax deduction, you must make personal super contributions to your super fund, not to your spouse’s super fund. It’s important to note that personal super contributions must satisfy the following:

  • You must not be contribution- or benefit-restricted
  • Your total super must be less than $1.6 million
  • You must have at least 10% of your total contributions in your super fund in the income year

The tax deduction is available for personal contributions up to $3,000 per year, and a maximum of $30,000 over three years. However, if you are over 49 years of age and you meet the above conditions, you may be able to claim a tax deduction for personal super contributions up to $100,000 over a three-year period.

You can claim your tax deduction for personal super contributions in the same income year you made the contributions.

Conclusion

Preparing for taxes can be exhausting. However, one important thing to remember is that your business has some deductions you can take advantage of. When preparing for tax time, you should check whether your small business can claim a tax deduction on your expenses or whether you can claim a tax deduction on your personal super contributions. These tax deductions may save you money come tax time.

If you are unsure of these rules and limits, we can help. SMB Accounting is an accounting firm along the Sunshine Coast that can provide you with your much-needed SMB tax solutions. Contact us today at 1-300-854-159.

/by

Getting An Audit

Given how messy finances can be it pays to have a quality audit every once in a while. It’s understandable of course to face difficulties with organizing your financial records— what’s important is how you deal with them. Thus, it is vital that any audit you undergo is kept to a standard. It’s the only way to really know that the service you’re paying for is worth your time and money.

Why This Is Important

The main reason you want to make sure that your audit is done right is to make sure that the people dependent on your company’s financial statements, shareholders and investors alike, will feel more confident if they know that your records are clean and accurate. After all, if people know they can trust you that makes making deals with them a lot easier for you, right?

The challenge now is that it can be tricky for others to find the perfect auditing firm. With so many new firms popping up it becomes difficult to find a firm that is strict with its practice. For that, you’ll need to know what makes a good firm.

A Proper Vision

The right firm will have the right vision. It might seem like a vague tip now but you’ll know it when you actually get to talk with their management. If you can get an idea of what their goal is, you can have a better understanding of what you stand to gain with them.

It should be noted that not every firm will even be willing to talk to you. Take this as a reflection of their attitude. A professional firm should be open to dialogue with anyone, be it a current client or a potential one.

A Firm With Integrity

When you look for an auditing firm you are putting the firm up against a list of requirements and such for them to pass your standards. This shouldn’t be a one-sided thing. Make sure that whatever auditing firm you check out is checking your background as well.

The reason for this is that you do not want an auditing firm that is willing to work with shady companies. Think about, should they be implicated, all your records will be thrown into question immediately. It’s a show of quality whether they care about your background or not.

Financial histories, relationships, and similar topics should be covered in whatever interview you end up doing. Of course, others might make use of forms but, again, take this as a reflection of their approach. We all know a face-to-face interview would be a lot more effective.

The Right Team

Lastly, we have the team. Take your time talking to all the members of the auditing firm you can. Try to get a feel for what they focus on, what their attitudes about work are like, and how they treat their clients.

The reason you need to do this is to understand what kind of people will be working on your financial records. Of course, you’re going to have to factor in the fact that these are all unique individuals. The point here is to get a feel on how seriously jobs are taken in their team.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it’s all about being prepared. It’s unsurprising that auditing firms are such a necessary service but it is something that we should take seriously every time we undergo an audit. Take some time to learn what you can about the auditing firms you are interested in before even visiting. What’s important is that the job is done right.

SMB Accounting provides quality services for an SMSF audit in Australia. Aside from that, we also do other types of audits to ensure that you’ll have an idea of how your business or your finances are doing to help you take the best course of action. Contact us today to learn more!

/by

5 Simple Tips to Help You Minimise Your Tax Returns

Our financial year ends on 30 June, and for some people, it’s straightforward. But for others it can be a little more complicated, especially if you are doing your numbers for the first time. 

The average number of Australians during the 2010 – 2011 financial year, who lodged their tax returns online with the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) were 5.3 million people. 

Many people search for legal tips to maximise their tax returns, while others look to reduce tax liability legally. Even if you want to pay your tax in full, there are legal steps that can help you save money. 

Here is how you can do it.

1) Claim Work-From-Home Expenses

You can claim a deduction for expenses that you incur while working from home. Generally, you can claim either the ‘actual’ or ‘reasonable’ amount of the expense. 

In ‘actual’ claim, you can deduct expenses that actually have occurred. These expenses may be work related, such as phone calls and internet. You can also claim for cleaning expenses – for example, cleaning products, vacuum cleaner and laundry detergent. 

On the other hand, in ‘Reasonable’ claims, you may not have spent the money on a particular item, but if the cost is in line with market conditions, you can claim the actual amount that you have spent. 

To claim work related expenses, you need to keep receipts and other records of your expenses. The ATO will typically send you a Notice of Assessment at the end of the financial year.

2) Claim Other Work-Related Expenses

Working from home isn’t the only way to claim work-related expenses. Here are some other deductions you can claim:

If you bought a computer for work, you can claim for depreciation. If you are on an hourly wage and you use an electronic diary to clock your hours, you can claim for the diary. If you travel for work, you can claim your travel expenses. If you bought a uniform, you can claim for those.

Keep all receipts. If you are not sure whether your claim is tax deductible or not, you can search the ATO’s website or contact them to settle your doubt.

3) Reclaim Your Donations

You can claim tax deductions for donations, up to certain limits. If you have donated to charity or religious organisations, or if you have made donations under the tax-deductible gift recipient scheme, you can claim tax deductions. You will be able to claim a deduction if you have paid for someone else’s travel, accommodation and meals.

The basic rule is that you can claim a tax deduction for donations to charities, approved organisations and religious institutions that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

To claim a tax refund, you can log onto the website of the ACNC and search the list of registered charities and organisations. You can also ring up the ACNC to check whether an organisation is registered. 

4) Claim Your Extra Refund from Working Side Jobs

Extra earnings from side jobs are usually not enough to be included in your Tax Return. However, this does not mean that the tax office will not ask you to update your tax return. 

To have your extra income in the tax return, you need to be in the same occupation. For example, if you are a web designer and you have worked as a tutor, then you can add the income from the tutor job to your web designing job. 

Conclusion

In order to minimise your tax liabilities, you need to ensure that you are deducting all the right amounts. But be careful not to claim for something that you are not cetain about. 

If you’re not sure what to claim, get a professional opinion on your financial health. SMB Accounting has some of the best accountants in Sunshine Coast, QLD. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

/by