Last night I attended a free business seminar, held at the Werribee City Council. I met some very interesting people, that had some great ideas, products and services. The topic of the night was "Boost your Business with Social Media, even for a person like myself that uses computers frequently, it was eye opening to know that I am only using between 0-50% of the Social Media platforms that are now available. The presenter Andrew was great, he made the presentation light hearted but very informative for the time frame that we had. Refreshments were supplied as many people would have missed dinner for the 6.30 start of the seminar.

As an Accountant that gives advice to businesses, I thought I would attend the seminars to see what is information is available for people that are struggling or new at marketing, and normally don't have the budget of big business marketing campaigns. Marketing using Social Media is one of the biggest things I have had to learn and still learning, as the way we are now communicating is evolving dramatically.

This program in an Australian Government-funded initiative to help small-to-medium businesses (this includes not-for-profit organisations), and are held in the Brunswick, Bacchus Marsh, South Morang, Geelong and Melbourne's outer East and North areas. The biggest surprise came with the handout mentioning a FREE Business Mentoring Session on your business premises when you participate in the business seminars.

I have booked myself in for the next seminar in March 2015 and look forward to it. If you are interested in building your business you can visit their website www.digitalenterprisedecl.net or on 03 9490 1427.

Many individuals have investment properties, but quite often the right information is commonly overlooked.

Documents that need to be kept for your rental property.

The ATO requires:
· The date the contracts of purchase was signed (this is the day of purchase).
· The price the property was purchased for.
· The amount of stamp duty, any legal fees and bank establishment fees charged to purchase the property.
· The date the property was first rented.
· How many weeks in the financial year that the property was rented.

Any income earned by the property is accessible income.

Income for the financial year is the:Rental Property
· Rent received.
· Bond money used to pay for outstanding rent or damage to the property.
· Rent paid in advance.
· Insurance payments for rent not paid.
· Late rent paid.

This is reduced by the expenses spent to maintain the property.

Some examples are:
· Loan interest.
· Water rates.
· Council rates.
· Repairs and maintenance.
· Gardening.
· Real estate agent fees.
· Insurances.
· Depreciation.

The sale of the investment property will attract a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for the period of time that it was rented out and earning an income, however there are ways of minimalising the CGT.

For further information on investment/rental properties please contact Absolute Accounting Solutions on 1300 488 330

Who does SuperStream apply to?

SuperStream is mandatory for all employers that make superannuation contributions for employees using either an APRA-regulated super funds or a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSFs).

According to the ATO the SuperStream standard is part of the government's Super Reform package. Designed to provide a consistent, electronic method of transacting, that links data and payments to superannuation funds as contributions.

It has been implemented to improve the efficiency of contributions, assist with the timeliness of rollovers, while attempting to reduce the amount of lost accounts and unclaimed monies within the superannuation system.

Employers must make their payments by an electronic bank transfer, and can no longer make superannuation payments by any other means. If you continue to send cheques, you will not be compliant with SuperStream and may face penalties under the law.

For employers with 19 or less employees.

SuperStream will start from 1 July 2015. You have until 30 June 2016 to meet the SuperStream requirements when sending an electronic transfer for superannuation contributions for employees.

Your options may include:Superannuation

• upgrading your payroll software
• using an outsourced (external) payroll function or service provide
• using a commercial clearing house or the free Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (19 or fewer employees).

For employers with more than 20 employees

SuperStream started from 1 July 2014. From that date, employers needed to start implementing SuperStream and have until 30 June 2015 to meet the SuperStream requirements when sending superannuation contributions by an electronic transfer for employees.

Self Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)

If you have a Self Managed Super Fund you will need to register your SMSF on the Register of SMSF messaging providers as from 1st July 2014.

 
The ATO has stated that "From 1 July 2014, self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees are required to receive both electronic messages and payment when making contributions for employees using the SuperStream data and electronic payments."

As an SMSF trustee, you will need to obtain an electronic service address (alias) from an SMSF messaging provider so that you can receive contribution messages sent using SuperStream.

Once the SMSF is registered with the messaging provider, they will be able to link your SMSF with the electronic service address of the provider.

If you have an employer, the employer will need your SMSFs electronic service address and bank details to be able to make contributions to your fund electronically.

SMSF members should be aware that if they do not provide their fund's Australian business number (ABN), electronic service address and bank details to their employer, they may be asked to complete a standard choice form.

Below is a link to a register of SMSF messaging providers and it is open to all SMSF trustees.

SMSF Service Providers

Feel free to contact us on 1300 488 330 or via our contact us page if you want to discuss this with one of our expert accountants.

2015 Budget - Small Business what a night!

The Treasurer last night announced the expected reduction of the company tax rate of 30% by 1.5% to 28.5%.
Sole traders, partnerships and trusts did not miss out and will enjoy a 5% tax discount, capped at $1000 per person, per year. This will be given as a tax offset at the end of the financial year.

The hugely unexpected announcement for small business with a turnover of less than $2mil, was the $20,000 immediate tax write off for any new purchase of tools or machinery that the small business will make from 7.30pm May 12, 2015 and June 30, 2017.

 
While this can be a great for the small business that will make a large profit in a specific year, assisting to reduce their
immediate year's taxable profit. The accelerated write off can have implications later in the event that the small business was to sell or dispose of the asset. The small business will have to pay tax on the whole amount of the sale price as it has been written off. The election of whether to use the immediate tax write off, should be applied by a case by case basis discussed with your Accountant.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rollover reliefs was only available to sole traders or partnerships that chose to become a company, new changes will allow a small business (that has a turn over of less tha $2mil) to change their legal structure without triggering  a CGT liability from 1 July 2016. The Government has recognised that new small businesses may have chosen an initial incorrect structure that may not be appropriate later when the business is established.

As small business was the highlight of last nights Federal budget, it also addressed the complexities individuals have had with business start-ups. The introduction of one website to provide ease for the registration of a business name, application for ABNs and other Government requirements will all in one place, there will also be an immediate deduction for some of the expenses associated with the starting-up a new business these are professional, legal and accounting advice, this is a welcome improvement.

Thinking about starting a new business?

The new financial year is coming, many people have approached me about starting new business.

To give you a bit of an advantage, I found some information for free business information and courses that the Victorian Government hold to assist new business owners. Understanding what is involved and ideas of how to manage, control and advertise your new business, is one of the most difficult hurdles to get over and accomplish.

Here is a quick link, have a browse of the web site and tell me what you think and if you found it helpful.

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/

Wave Accounting is a free accounting package for the small business owner. So far the testing has been fun. Besides creating your invoices and any other financial document you need, I liked the way you can link your bank accounts to it, so that it is uploaded directly into your Wave Accounting package. Once it is all set up you can download an app to your phone or tablet that allows you to take a photo of your receipts and they too load into your Wave Accounting package.

https://www.waveapps.com/

If you struggle with computers and need some help to set up your accounting software call us on 1300 488 330 or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.