Do you want to cut your living expenses or just want to save more money? The following tips help to give you more control over your finances. In a world where anything can happen – and does – that’s something we all need. Giving yourself a regular financial health check each year helps rein in […]
The Etax Blog: Tax Tips
GST changes may impact your overseas online shopping
The Australian Government is attempting to level the playing field between Australian and overseas retailers with proposed GST changes effective from 1 July 2017. Here’s what you need to know. Australians are increasingly turning to overseas sellers when they shop online to access cheaper prices and a larger variety of goods and speciality items. The government […]
What is STP or Single Touch Payroll?
What is Single Touch Payroll? Single Touch Payroll (STP) makes payroll reporting far easier for employers. Instead of juggling a raft of paperwork, your boss reports payroll details including super payments, to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) on or before each pay day. New payroll software now looks after that. Each time your pay is […]
Uber tax issues: A tax guide for Uber drivers
Uber has taken Australia by storm as a great way to earn additional income. But there may be serious Uber tax problems ahead unless you do things the right way. Uber is a unique, flexible opportunity to earn a side income for almost anyone with a good car. But there are important things to consider […]
Being made redundant could re-ignite your career: Redundancy tips from a careers expert
Being made redundant is often a tough thing to overcome. Yet, an amazing two per cent of Australian workers experience it every year! We spoke to Australian career advice expert Russell Johnson, a career planning veteran with CEO-level experience in Australia and the US, to get a fresh perspective on being made redundant. Russell also […]
Reporting Your Foreign Employment Income
If you’ve earned foreign employment income this year, find out how to report it correctly on your tax return. Are you an Australian resident for tax purposes and work overseas? If yes, you must report all your overseas income in your Australian tax return. This includes both your assessable and exempt income – even if […]
We’ve Made Your Tax Return Even Easier
Here at Etax, we know you have better things to do than your taxes, so we want to help you get them done FAST! We listened to your feedback – and we’ve given you just that – a way to do our tax return even faster! Use the ‘Any Other Questions’ section in our tax […]
How to survive the lock-down. Your guide to turning it into a positive
With all the social distancing and lock-down measures in place, how do you keep your mind occupied and engaged? For some people, being at home is bliss. For others, it’s hard to stay focused on anything. But time at home can be a valuable chance to reflect, connect and plan for the future. There are […]
How to check your HELP debt balance
Your HELP debt often seems like a heavy weight around your neck, especially when your uni days seem like a lifetime ago and you’re keen to take your next step in life. You keep throwing money at it but unless you’re an avid spreadsheet Ninja, like Mandy in our accounts department, you often have no […]
Corporate Tax Avoidance and Tax Gaps: What is it costing Australia?
A common theme in ATO messages this year has been that big businesses are generally doing the right thing. They’re lodging income tax returns accurately and paying the correct amount of tax. Interestingly, corporate tax avoidance is absent from their narrative. Instead, concerns focus on individual taxpayers who over claim deductions. However, the recently published […]
Claiming Self Education Expenses as Tax Deductions
Self education is essential for our minds, our general sense of well-being and our future employment prospects Technology, software, and workplace processes change so fast, that if you don’t keep on top of it, you’ll quickly find yourself left behind in your career. Worse still, find yourself replaced by a more efficient, clued up, better […]
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
Whether you receive fringe benefits as part of your employment contract or a salary sacrifice package, it’s important to understand how fringe benefits tax affects your tax return. Your employer must pay any tax applied to the fringe benefits you receive, but you will also need to report them on your tax return. What are […]
Can I lodge a tax return with no Income Statement?
As part of the recent STP payroll system roll out, we no longer receive a PAYG or Payment Summary at the end of the financial year. Instead, HR departments advise employees to get an Income Statement from the ATO. With less than 1/3 of us ever wanting to go anywhere near the ATO’s confusing websites, […]
Your Personal Guide to Trainee and Apprentice Tax Deductions!
Whether you’re an apprentice or trainee carpenter, electrician, mechanic, plumber, bricklayer or painter (just to name a few), we have all the apprentice tax deductions covered for you in this guide! Starting out in a trade or traineeship involves long hours spent learning the ropes in your chosen field. It’s a common misconception that apprentices […]
Understanding Tax on Bank Interest: What you need to know
It’s important to declare bank interest on your tax return to avoid ATO tax “surprises”. On your tax return, Gross Interest is income paid to you from a financial institution (like a bank or building society). If you have a savings account, you probably earned some bank interest. Your bank reports the interest you received […]
