The Government’s mid-year budget update was handed down in late October 2012. The Treasurer revised down the expected Budget underlying cash surplus to $1.1 billion for 2012 – 2013 down from $1.5 billion estimated in the May 2012 Budget.
 The Reserve Bank’s decision to reduce the prime interest rate to 2.75% (the lowest for 50 years) confirms the difficult environment in which businesses are operating. To survive in difficult times, businesses need to continually review their business operating environment. This would include a review of your marketing strategy, managing costs, innovation, productivity, preparation of …
When did you last complete a competitor analysis? Almost all business owners/managers are aware of their direct competitors but when was the last time you actually completed a formal analysis by way of a ‘competitor analysis’?  This should be at least an annual process to help pin-point key opportunities for improvement.  To complete a competitor …
3 Key Ideas to Help Business Leaders Succeed in 2013 Read More »
 There are many ways in which taxpayers can take advantage of tax planning initiatives to manage their taxable incomes. In order to maximise these opportunities, taxpayers need to start the year-end tax planning process early. Of course, when undertaking tax planning, taxpayers should be cognisant of the potential application of anti-avoidance provisions. However, if done correctly, …
Intellectual property theft is growing and can be quite expensive for your business. Intellectual property may include, for example customer database, pricing and contracts lists, trade secrets, design and products being developed, details of how prices are calculated for various important customers etc.
The Austrade Export Market Development Grants Scheme is a program providing financial assistance to businesses exporting (or looking to export) Australian made goods. The scheme aims to encourage small and medium sized businesses to develop export markets. Each applicant can receive up to 7 grants and applications open 1 July and close 2 December 2013.
The ATO advises that business with a GST turnover that meets or exceeds the electronic lodgment turnover threshold of $20 million are legislatively required to:
Tony Monisse covers the 3 main strategies for coping in volatile times. 1. Manage Fixed Costs 2. Diversity 3. Strong Balance Sheet Watch Tony explain how to get your business out the other side.
 The Medicare levy has been increased by 0.5% to help fund the government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme, known as DisabilityCare Australia. This will take the Medicare levy from 1.5% to 2% of taxable income from 1 July 2014.
In the 2013–2014 Federal Budget, the ATO was provided with $67.9 million over four years to undertake compliance activity in relation to trust structures. The taskforce will utilise intelligence systems as well as new tax return labels to gather information.
