Paying ATO liabilities

When dealing with taxpayers and their outstanding liabilities, the ATO have announced that they will be tailoring their communication based on the taxpayer’s previous behaviour and choices. 

The ATO will be using data about the taxpayer’s previous behaviour, obligations and risk profile to tailor how they respond to the late payment.  This will mean:

* The first notification you receive may be different than before;

* The ATO may contact you in different ways, including by letter and phone.  If you have linked your myGov account to the ATO, letters will be sent to your myGov Inbox;

* The ATO may take appropriate action after only eight days.If you are having trouble paying your ATO liabilities, please contact us immediately.  It is important that we communicate with the ATO to ensure no further action is taken.


Xavier Quenon from Go Mortgage (based in Helensvale) recently wrote an article recently about the impact of ATO debt on borrowing capacity.  You can access the article here.

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DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional advice.  Accordingly, neither TJN Accountants nor any member or employee of TJN Accountants accepts any responsibility for any loss, however caused, as a result of reliance on this general information.  We recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas.  The article is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information.  Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our consent,

Backpacker Tax

The Government has recently enacted legislation to change the tax rates for working holiday makers with visa sub-class 417 and 462 from 1 July 2017.  

If you employ working holiday makers, you will need to register with the ATO.  Once you are registered with the ATO, a 15% withholding rate applies to the first $37,000 of the working holiday maker’s income.  From $37,001, normal foreign resident withholding rates apply.

Employers who do not register must withhold 32.5% tax on the first $37,000 and then apply the normal foreign resident withholding rates after that.  Please contact us as soon as possible if you hire working holiday makers so we can assist you with the registration and tax withholding process.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional advice.  Accordingly, neither TJN Accountants nor any member or employee of TJN Accountants accepts any responsibility for any loss, however caused, as a result of reliance on this general information.  We recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas.  The article is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information.  Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our consent,

Qld Government Grants – Improving your digital presence

On 8 November 2016, the Queensland Government announced their Small Business Digital Grants Program.

It will provide matched funding of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses for the purchase of hardware, software and services (such as digital coaching).

The digital technology or service must fall under one of the five priority areas:

  • Digital marketing and social media

  • Digital content (web pages, mobile apps, media)

  • Receiving payments or selling online

  • Specialised digital technology or software

  • Digital planning and advice/training

To be eligible, your business must:

  • Have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant; and

  • Have an Australian Business Number and be registered for GST; and

  • Have a Queensland headquarters or significant Queensland-based operations.

Round 1 opens 8 November 2016 and closes 9 December 2016.  For more information, please go to: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/support-tools-grants/grants/digital-grants

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional advice.  Accordingly, neither TJN Accountants nor any member or employee of TJN Accountants accepts any responsibility for any loss, however caused, as a result of reliance on this general information.  We recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas.  The article is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information.  Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our consent,

Qld Government Grants – Business coaches

On 21 October 2016, the Queensland Government announced their Accelerate Small Business Grants Program. 

The grant will provide matched funding of up to $10,000 to eligible businesses to engage business mentors, coaches or an advisory board for 6 to 12 months. 

To be eligible for the grant, your business must:

  • Have a minimum trading history of 4 years

  • Have a minimum turnover of $750,000

  • Have a maximum headcount of 20 employees at the time of application

  • Have an ABN

  • Have Queensland headquarters or significant Queensland operations

  • Have competitive opportunities in domestic or international markets

  • Be experiencing growth and have clearly defined high-growth opportunities

Applications opened on 25 October 2016 and will remain open until the annual budget of $3 million is fully allocated.  For more information please go to: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/support-tools-grants/grants/accelerate-grants

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional advice.  Accordingly, neither TJN Accountants nor any member or employee of TJN Accountants accepts any responsibility for any loss, however caused, as a result of reliance on this general information.  We recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas.  The article is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information.  Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our consent,

GST on Google AdWord campaigns

From 1 November 2016, invoices for Google AdWords will be issued in Australia by Google Australia Pty Ltd.  This means that the invoice will attract 10% GST.  If your business uses Google AdWords and you are registered for GST, you may be able to claim back the GST component of your invoice.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional advice.  Accordingly, neither TJN Accountants nor any member or employee of TJN Accountants accepts any responsibility for any loss, however caused, as a result of reliance on this general information.  We recommend that our formal advice be sought before acting in any of the areas.  The article is issued as a helpful guide to clients and for their private information.  Therefore it should be regarded as confidential and not be made available to any person without our consent,