News

In the wake of the Government's fifth Budget, we’ve highlighted some of the major changes that you need to be aware of and account for during the year ahead.

Under proposed reforms that will apply from 1 July this year, the FBT Act will be amended to remove LAFHA as a fringe benefit.

Time is running out to take advantage of in-specie (off-market) transfers to move assets into your SMSF.

With increased ATO scrutiny on Discretionary Trusts, it’s critical to have your trust deed reviewed before the end of each financial year.

With true business mobility, your people can be productive and work wherever they like yet still access all your business applications. There's no need to accommodate all your staff under one roof.

With an Interest in Advance loan, you can pre-pay the interest for the coming year before 30 June and claim it as a tax deduction in the current year.

With increases to the superannuation guarantee levy on the way, it’s probably a good time to start thinking about how the increased SG contributions will affect your bottom line. 

We are currently searching for a star for our Graduate Accounting position and are looking for an intelligent, dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join our Business Services Team.

If you provide non-cash benefits such as car packaging you are responsible for gathering specific information in order to prepare FBT returns to the Tax Office on time.

The ability to borrow to invest opens up exciting opportunities for SMSFs, particularly in relation to purchasing assets such as residential or commercial property.

Concentrating on one area of your business for quick wins may lead to inefficiencies down the track that may hinder your business growth in the long term.

Tax laws all over the world can be stubbornly complicated and confusing and all too often tax bills can become payable long before you receive the income.

While all the big banks are hiking up their rates, other lenders offer more attractive terms. Find out whether you've got the best deal for your particular circumstances with a Countplus mbt home loan health check.

A re-contribution strategy involves the withdrawal of a lump sum from your superannuation which you then re-contribute back. 

Skype buttons on our website provide a convenient means to access the team. The technology has also delivered other benefits.

Rather than having to juggle months and months (if not years) of post Christmas debt, you can take charge in 2012 by consolidating all your debts. 

Estate planning is an important process to undertake regardless of your age or net worth.

New reforms to FBT in relation to Living Away From Home allowances and benefits will crackdown on foreign workers and highly paid executives rorting the system.

Nowadays many small businesses tend to work through the Christmas break with a skeleton staff rather than shutting down completely.

With continuing volatility in equity markets extending the current limited drawdown relief for a further year will assist retirees to recoup capital losses.

For most small business owners, investing time in a business networking club will be well rewarded with quality referrals and quality new business. 

In Australia, there’s no shortage of creative thinking and innovative ideas. But far too often would-be entrepreneurs struggle with turning those great ideas into a business reality.

With new legislation before Parliament, directors will become personally liable for superannuation guarantee liability and PAYG withholdings that are not paid within 3 months of the due date.

While you would probably list your most valuable assets as your home, super and other investments, it’s your ability to earn a regular income that is probably the most important asset you have.

Each business structure comes with its own unique legal rights and responsibilities, tax implications and compliance obligations so it’s important to understand what the different structures mean.  

A new draft ruling suggests that you'll soon be able to use money from inside your SMSF funds to pay for property improvements as long as you don’t fundamentally change the nature of the asset.

While SMEs go to the trouble of creating business plans, setting targets and goals with detailed operating plans and budgets, all too often, once complete, they are simply filed away again. Job done.

We’re delighted to see that BT Wrap has been awarded Best Investment Platform at the AFR Smart Investor Blue Ribbon Awards.  

We are currently searching for a self motivated and dynamic Senior Accountant for a role that offers diversity, challenges and the opportunity to manage your own team. We're also looking for a Graduate Accountant who's ready to make their next move.

Most small and medium sized businesses require the expertise and strategic input of an experienced Chief Financial Officer, yet too few SMEs can either afford a full time CFO or even attract them.

As part of our new venture with Loughhead Roberts, Countplus mbt principal Shane Krautz has recently moved into the Parramatta offices.  

For the 2011/12 financial year, the minimum payment amounts for account-based pensions will be reduced by 25 per cent. As of 2012/13, minimum payment amounts return to normal.

Download our information packs for a comprehensive overview of the major changes to superannuation and taxation outlined in the 2011-12 Federal Budget.

With the fringe benefits tax (FBT) year ending on 31 March 2011, it’s important to consider whether you could be liable for FBT this year.

If it's been a while since you found a great deal on your home loan, chances are that it may not be delivering the best deal for your lifestyle right now.

As part of COAG's regulatory reform agenda, the national business names project is designed to develop a seamless online registration process for ABNs and business names

Make no mistake the sole purpose of super is to provide a benefit for the trustees or their beneficiaries upon retirement. It's not a slush fund that you can access when times get tough.

Australia will have a tax on carbon from as early as July next year if the Australian Government’s blueprint for dealing with climate change is passed through parliament later this year.

Last year, part of the Australian Government’s response to the global financial crisis for retirees was reducing by half the minimum pension requirements for those drawing a pension from their superannuation benefit.

With the new banking reforms, switching your home loan from one bank or lending institution to another will be easier and less expensive. Importantly, you’ll be able to shop around for the best deal on mortgages without fear of being hammered by exit fees. But recognising the best deal isn't such a simple matter.

Like a trip to the dentist, the notification of an impending tax audit strikes fear and dread into most of us. And it’s often a time of panic for even the most seasoned individuals, business owners and directors.

Over the last six months we’ve been piloting cloud accounting and the benefits of single ledger transparency, accessibility and availability with a handful of our clients.
With more than four months remaining of the initial pilot, we’ve already developed some powerful insights and I thought this was important to share with you.

The Australian Tax Office has announced that all flood-affected businesses in Queensland and the Tweed area of NSW will qualify for automatic extensions on lodgement and payment dates for their December activity statements.