News and Tax Essentials
What do you know about single touch payroll?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Melissa Zaniol • Administration Officer Published on 18 Feb 2019 Many business owners and payroll officers would by now be hearing the term Single Touch Payroll or STP...
What can tradies claim on tax?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Laila Mir • AccountantPublished on 15 Feb 2019Many tradie business owners find themselves working overtime, which often leaves tax as the last thing on their mind....
Budgeting for Tradies
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Pauline Campbell • Senior AccountantPublished on 13 Feb 2019Let’s face it, no one likes budgets, however, a budget can be a very helpful tool in creating cash flow and...
Can I claim computers and software in my business?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 11 Feb 2019 The short answer is yes.Computers, Laptops, Tablets and phones can all be claimed as a deduction within your...
What is a TPAR
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Melissa Zaniol • Administration Officer Published on 11 Feb 2019 What is a TPAR? Many have contacted us regarding TPARs. What are they? What are they for? Do I need to lodge...
Managing Client Expectations as a professional services business
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Frankie Buller • Client Services ManagerPublished on 08 Feb 2019Working with clients can sometimes be a difficult task, especially if your client is “hands-on” or likes...
3 things all successful business owners share in common
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Michael Rodriguez • Senior AccountantPublished on 06 Feb 2019Owning a business is something that is perfectly achievable for pretty much anyone and everyone at some stage in...
Should professional service businesses audit internal processes?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Chantelle Warner • Business ManagerPublished on 04 Feb 2019Regardless of the industry you are in, it's always important to review your internal processes on a regular basis...
Are you employing a contractor or employee
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • DirectorPublished on 25 Dec 2018A recent landmark court case decision was made in favour of ex-Foodora employee, Josh Klooger, by the Fair Work...
FBT and the humble Aussie ute
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior Accountant Published on 18 Dec 2018 What is Fringe Benefit Tax and how is it applied?Fringe Benefits Tax is a tax applied to employers who supply...
5 Questions you should be asking your accountant
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Laila Mir • AccountantPublished on 13 Dec 2018Many people nowadays are relying on free or inexpensive online small-business accounting tools instead of investing the...
5 tactics you can use to deal with angry clients
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Frankie Buller • Client Services Manager Published on 11 Dec 2018 If you have ever had a job where you interact with clients on a regular basis, chances are you have had to...
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT): An explainer
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Christopher Cruz Published on 11 Dec 2018 Being an employer carries with it a number of additional taxes. Beyond withholding tax from an employee’s individual income, you...
5 signs your client invoice isn’t getting paid
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Pauline Campbell • Senior AccountantPublished on 06 Dec 2018As a business owner, if you know only one thing, you know that Cash flow is king. Cash flow is an absolutely...
5 Ways you can use Xero to improve your business
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Michael Rodriguez • Senior AccountantPublished on 03 Dec 2018 Does manual handling of data entry bog you down?Would you like the ability to monitor your cash...
Why DIY bookkeeping and accounting could hurt your business
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Sachin Singh • Bookkeeping ManagerPublished on 26 Nov 2018 At Fitzpatrick Group, we have been noticing a common trap that some business owners are falling into. Some...
24 Hour Fight Against Cancer at Narellan Town Centre
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Marketing OfficerPublished on 03 Oct 2018On the 25th and 26th September 2018, Fitzpatrick Group – along with Coutts Solicitors and Conveyancers, and McLaren...
Finding the right bookkeeper for my business
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Sachin Singh • Bookkeeping ManagerPublished on 24 Sep 2018Bookkeepers play a pivotal role in assisting you with running your business. Regardless as to whether your...
What happens if you connect the ATO to your myGov?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Chantelle Warner • Business ManagerPublished on 19 Sep 2018The ATO can now be linked to your myGov account to allow all previously posted correspondence to be sent directly...
Xero 2 Step Authentication compulsory in Aus starting 11 September
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 05 Sep 2018Xero and Fitzpatrick Group – both champions in Cybersecurity. Xero further enhances their multi-layer security, making 2 Step...
Do I Need a Business Plan?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Director and FounderPublished on 30 Jul 2018There are no exceptions or defendable excuses. All businesses need a business plan that is regularly reviewed,...
Working Capital Management – Are your financing functions well managed and cost-effective?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Sachin Singh • Bookkeeping ManagerPublished on 23 Jul 20182019 Update: This blog has been reviewed and updated to contain information relevant to working capital management...
Changes to the Payroll Tax Threshold
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior AccountantPublished on 17 Jul 20182019 UpdatePositive Changes to the Payroll Tax Threshold are coming to NSW and SA.This is great news for small...
Business Coaching vs Business Mentoring – What’s the difference?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Director and Founder Published on 03 Jul 2018 In this post, we want to alleviate the confusion around business coaching and business mentoring. At first...
Single Touch Payroll – What do you know?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 02 Jul 20182019 Update This blog has been reviewed and updated with consideration to changed dates. Single Touch Payroll – What...
Rental Property – What can I claim?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Pauline Campbell • Senior AccountantPublished on 19 Jun 2018Tax time is fast approaching and for those who own a rental or investment property the most important question...
Top 5 Logbook Apps for Claiming Car Expenses in 2019
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Marketing Officer Published on 21 May 2018 2019 Update: This blog has been reviewed and updated for 2019.For information on claiming car expenses on tax,...
Claiming car expenses in 2019
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior AccountantPublished on 24 Apr 20182019 Update: This blog has been reviewed and updated to contain information relevant to claiming car expenses in...
Accountants in Narellan – A brief history of Fitzpatrick Group
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 16 Apr 2018Fitzpatrick Group has been in the business of accounting in Narellan since 2012. In fact, the history of Fitzpatrick Group in...
Single Touch Payroll is on the horizon, what does this mean for business?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Sachin Singh • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 13 Mar 2018 2019 Update: This blog has been updated to include relevant Single Touch Payroll information since the initial...
Important information that could save you thousands
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Marketing Officer Published on 30 Aug 2017 If you are buying a property for $750,000 or more after 1 July 2017 your solicitor or conveyancer will have to...
Work-related expenses to go under the microscope
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Michael Rodriguez • Senior AccountantPublished on 26 Jul 2017This blog has been updated to include new information from a new report released 25/04/2018 by the ATO. Findings...
5 of the Best Marketing tips you will read
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Marketing Officer Published on 12 Jul 2017 The world of digital marketing is ever changing. New ideas and ways to engage and reach prospective clients are...
Understanding Capital Gains Tax
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Pauline Campbell • Senior AccountantPublished on 21 Jun 2017If you are reading this, it’s probably because you may not be fully understanding capital gains tax. Not to...
Starting a Business: What do I need to think about?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Director and Founder Published on 21 Jun 2017 Starting a business isn’t something that should be done carelessly. It’s something that requires thought,...
5 of the best accounting tips you will ever read
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior AccountantPublished on 14 Jun 2017It is important to keep track of the record keeping and accounting aspect of your business. Here are some top...
Clothing, Laundry, and Dry Cleaning Expenses
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior AccountantPublished on 14 Jun 2017If you have to follow a dress policy at your work, you may be able to claim the purchase and cleaning of your clothes...
How to: Deliver Great Customer Service
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 14 Jun 2017No matter what industry you operate in, it is important to have great customer service. This is the service you provide to...
Hobby or Business: Online Selling
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Ken Bond • Consultant Published on 31 May 2017 More and more people are turning to the internet to sell. Whether it be jeans you’ve only worn once, or creative works you put...
Tax debts could start hurting your credit rating soon
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 25 May 2017A Tax Debt Transparency Measure has recently been announced by the government to start taking effect from 1 July 2017. What...
Can I claim self education expenses?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Pauline Campbell • Senior AccountantPublished on 25 May 2017What courses are eligible to claim self-education expenses? So now you must be thinking, what constitutes...
Can I get income deductions for volunteer work?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior Accountant Published on 18 May 2017Volunteers are valued members of many organisations, ranging from sporting clubs and environmental groups to...
Tips for running your business from home
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • Director Published on 18 May 2017 Building and running a successful business can a be an incredibly rewarding experience. It takes time, determination, and...
7 ways you can grow your business
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Director and FounderPublished on 18 May 2017If you are looking to grow your business, you are going to have to commit a portion of one of your most...
Common BAS errors small businesses are making
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Pauline Campbell • Senior Accountant Published on 05 Apr 2017 The ATO has compiled a list of common mistakes and errors that are made by business owners when submitting...
Accounting Software Add-Ons and how it can help your business.
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Director and FounderPublished on 15 Mar 2017What are Add-ons? Add-ons are tools that extend your Accounting Software. Depending on what Industry you work...
Am I running a business, or is it just a hobby?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 08 Mar 2017 If you are selling products or services to businesses or individuals either personally or online, it can...
Why it’s actually not that hard to change accountants
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Director and Founder Published on 08 Mar 2017 It can be a daunting decision to change accountants and one that should not be made lightly. However, it can...
Is your home exempt from Capital Gains Tax?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Ken Bond • Consultant Published on 13 Feb 2017 If you have multiple residences, you can generally only claim full capital gains tax (CGT) exemption from the dwelling that...
Accounting mistakes that are holding your business back
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 10 Feb 2017Accounting mistakes will happen from time to time, and most can be fixed quickly in a relatively simple way. However,...
Tips to simplify your bookkeeping
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Sachin Singh • Bookkeeping ManagerPublished on 18 Jan 2017Bookkeeping is time-consuming, and you’d rather spend that time working in your business to generate income. What...
Cloud Accounting – What’s all the hype?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • DirectorPublished on 18 Jan 2017Do you want to save time and money and spend more time growing your business? Of course you do. Let me tell you more. Cloud...
Why your website isn’t helping and how to fix it
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Bookkeeping ManagerPublished on 10 Jan 2017You’ve just finished building your website for your business, you’ve paid top dollar to a web designer to have it...
Exempt income not subject to tax?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior Accountant Published on 19 Dec 2016 In Australia, there is a certain income that is not subject to tax. It may be possible that you possess income that...
Why your business may fall victim to Cyber Criminals
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson • Director Published on 14 Dec 2016 Almost everyone has heard of the Nigerian Prince email. Some of you may have even received the email from the Nigerian...
Getting access to your Superannuation
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Michael Rodriguez • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 08 Dec 2016 At some point, you may find yourself thinking, “How much money do I need to retire? Can I work part-time and...
Can you boost your Superannuation?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Michael Rodriguez • Bookkeeping ManagerPublished on 07 Dec 2016If you are concerned with how comfortable you would like to live beyond retirement, you may be thinking about...
Keeping Records for Tax: What do you need?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Senior Accountant Published on 02 Dec 2016 One thing to keep in mind is your work related expenses. If your work related expenses total $300 or more, you...
What happens if I don’t pay my tax debt?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Ken Bond • ConsultantPublished on 02 Dec 2016 Our best piece of advice to anyone who wants to avoid being in tax debt is to just stay on top of, and pay your taxes. If you...
What to consider when hiring workers for your business
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 15 Nov 2016 Before you hire a worker As an employer, you are legally obligated to ensure that your employees meet certain...
Lodging Tax Return. When do I do it?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Senior AccountantPublished on 14 Nov 2016The financial year in Australia is from the 1st July to the 30th June the following year. Any Income and...
What Business Structure is right for you?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Rick Fitzpatrick • Director and FounderPublished on 14 Nov 2016So you’re all excited, you’re going into business and can’t wait to start.To make sure you get off on the...
What is Brand Identity and how do I establish it?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Marketing OfficerPublished on 11 Nov 2016What is Brand Identity? Brands are all around us in our everyday lives. Just take a moment. Think about the car you...
What is an Audit?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Peter Carter • Senior Accountant Published on 09 Nov 2016 Auditors assess a set of company accounts to determine if they present a true and fair presentation of the...
What happens when you use a Bookkeeper?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Sachin Singh • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 09 Nov 2016 You went into business because you were good at something; you are passionate about it and wanted a certain...
6 Easy steps to promoting a business with your own blog
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Marketing Officer Published on 01 Nov 2016 As a creative, I spend time with many small business owners discussing the art of promoting their business. More...
Payment Arrangements with the ATO
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Shaun Da Silva • Bookkeeping Manager Published on 18 Oct 2016 2019 Update: This blog has been reviewed and updated to contain information relevant to payment arrangements.It...
24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Stats and Facts
Our 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Stats and Facts On the 15th and 16th of October 2016, Fitzpatrick Group participated in the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer. It was a memorable event for our team, and a great honour to be a part of. We are extremely proud to have been...
Selling Property over $2 Million
Are you selling or looking at selling property that is valued at $2 million or more? Those who are looking at selling property valued at 2 million or more, need to be mindful of new rules that will be applicable from the 1st of July 2016 onwards. What needs to be...
Paying GST for business overseas
Are you doing business overseas? October 1, 2016 saw new changes to Australian GST law, meaning that you are no longer required to pay GST on certain transactions between your business and businesses overseas. These new changes have also introduced a reduction to...
How to: Building a strong relationship with your supplier
If your business needs to acquire supplies in order to function, acquiring the right supplier for your business can take up a lot of your time and require some hard research. When you find the right supplier, continue developing a productive and professional...
Incentives for you to invest in an ESIC
If you are thinking about investing, looking to invest, or have already invested in an Australian start-up, you may or may not be aware of what incentives are available to you.. On July 1, 2016, the government provided two new tax incentives to encourage investments...
5 Marketing tips for Small Business Owners
Our top 5 Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners can help you to demystify one of the most crucial aspects of building a successful business - First, let's look at some misconceptions about marketing in 2018. Many business owners who want to promote their business...
Lost Tax File Number – Is it serious?
Subscribe to our Newsletter Written by Bryn Robinson \u2022 Bookkeeping Manager Published on 27 Sep 2016 When you first receive your TFN, you are told how important it is to keep it secure and private. Despite...
When to report a Capital Gain
There is a lot of confusion around the timing of when a capital gain is made. The point at which a capital gain or loss is made is called a CGT Event. It is important to establish the timing of a CGT Event as it may affect how your tax liability is calculated and what...
Claiming car expenses for your tax return
The use of a car that you owned, leased, or hired in the year can be claimed if you used it for any work related purposes. Even if the car is not registered in your name, private arrangements can be taken into account. If the car was used as your own and you paid for...
5 Step guide to new rental property
So you bought a rental property, and it’s an exciting time for everyone involved. However, you got lost in your excitement and covered in paperwork by the real estate agents, lawyers, conveyancers, mortgage brokers & Banks. Now it is tax time and you have...
Understanding Fringe Benefits Tax
Fringe benefits tax was introduced in 1986 by the Australian Taxation office to combat the then growing non-cash benefit schemes that some employees where receiving. Fringe Benefits Tax is calculated on many things and is considered the catch all provision that taxes...
What do you need for your tax appointment?
Being prepared for your tax appointment will save a lot of time and energy for you and your accountant. Having all the right information and documents will also mean you can claim the best tax refund possible. But what is the right information? If you are a new client...
3 Changes for Employers from 1st July 2016
We are already a month into the new financial year. So employers need to be aware of changes to compliance in workplace relations, tax and superannuation. Changes came into effect on 1 July. You can’t afford to get caught out by missing your obligations! We’ve...
9 tips for SBE on Immediate asset deductions
On the 12 May 2015 at 7.30pm the Government announced that it was introducing new accelerated depreciation rules for small Business entities (SBE). The rule originally allowed any asset purchased for less than $1,000 to be immediately written off. Under the new rules...
Four million Aussies won’t get tax back until August.
Delayed Tax returns caused by "customer data migration". That time of the year has arrived again, it's time to do your taxes. While some will be looking forward to getting their returns; others won't be so keen, finding themselves paying more. However there's a...
Buying your own home
If you are a potential first home buyer (FHB) you may be feeling disheartened by doom and gloom in the media as to whether younger generations will ever own their own home. There is no doubt house price to salary ratio was lower in the 70s and 80s - often seen as an...
The Sandwich Generation
Are you a member of one of the fastest growing demographic groups: the Sandwich Generation? Well you’re not alone. And the sandwich generation is growing! One notable authority on the subject has categorised three demographic groups affected by this issue: ...
Starting Over…
In Australia today around 1 in 3 marriages can be expected to end in divorce. With 77% of Australian couples also living together before getting married (and let’s face it - some don’t go the distance) the real impact of relationship breakdowns is likely to be much...
Maximise Tax Deductions
According to the ATO there are around 1.9 million property investors in Australia and 2.7 million rental investment properties. Surprisingly, many landlords fail to claim all allowable tax deductions simply because they are unaware of all the expenses they can claim...
When is my BAS due?
Business Activity Statements (BAS) can either be lodged monthly or quarterly. Lodgement dates depend on whether you, the client, lodge your BAS or whether Fitzpatrick Group lodges it. Monthly Statements A monthly BAS is generally due at the same time regardless of...
Payroll Tax and the Jobs Action Plan Rebate
Payroll Tax rebate for employing a person in a new position. Businesses that increase the number of NSW full-time employees receive a payroll tax rebate following the employment of each additional NSW employee in a position that is a new job. All new jobs from 1 July...
Small Business Grants
Small Business Grant of $ 2,000 for each additional employee you have employed since 1 July 2015. Have you increased the number of your employees in your Small Business since 1 July 2015? If so, you can apply for a Small Business Grant of $ 2,000 for your business,...
What Clients Love: A Practical Guide to Growing Your Business
What Clients Love: A Field Guide to Growing Your Business by Harry Beckwith Today’s recommended book read is "What Clients Love: A Field Guide to Growing Your Business" by Harry Beckwith. The author of this book, Harry Beckwith is a critically-acclaimed international...
Who Moved My Cheese?
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, Kenneth H. Blanchard Today’s recommended book read is "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth H. Blanchard. Dr Spencer Johnson wrote this book through a difficult time in his life. It illustrates the importance of...
Reasons Why You Should Lodge Your BAS On Time
Are you a small business taxpayer? We have listed the top five reasons why small businesses should lodge their business activity statements (BAS's) on time. You should be aware of your tax obligations with the Tax Office. Contact us if you require any clarification or...
Are You Thinking of Selling or Closing a Business?
What you should consider before selling or closing your business: You should familiarise yourself with your responsibilities as a business owner. Speak to us today before you make this decision. Selling or closing your business has probably passed your mind on a few...
Tax Essentials for Small Business Owners
Are you operating a business? The Tax Office are offering a number of free webinars to help business owners understand their tax and superannuation obligations. You should: Click here to register. Review your current business system to ensure your business meets its...
Are you and your staff time poor?
We’ve helped hundreds of businesses to improve and refine their processes to give them back time to improve the quality of their service. Our first consultation is free, with no obligations or pressure to work with us beyond our first meeting.