Big scary tax debt? 

You might want to set up a payment plan with the ATO (and also check out our blog on debts).

The ATO offers payment plans that will help you pay your tax bill, especially if you are currently under financial hardship. You may also be able to set up a payment plan if you can...

Income Averaging - we know you are not ‘average’ by any means, but the ATO have a special rule for people with special income that might help smooth things out in the long run.

Income Averaging is a type of tax relief that the ATO offers to ‘primary producers’ and ‘special professionals’. The commo...

Understanding Income Tax Account and Activity Statement Account for Creatives in Australia

Ever get those pesky emails saying there’s a message for you in MyGov?

And then ignore it?

Best not to do that… 

If you haven’t linked your MyGov account to the ATO, there’s instructions here.

Your MyG...

Are you spending money and getting it covered by your employer?

It may be one of these 3 forms:

1. Reimbursements
2. Per diems
3. Allowances

These are all important forms of compensation for creatives in Australia. These payments help to cover expenses that may be incurred while on the job, such a...

What is super?

‘Super’ is just short for superannuation. You can get more information on super in our blog if you need. 

What has changed?

There are a few changes effective from 1 July 2022, but there are two key changes relevant to our clients:

1. The amount of the super guarantee (the % of ...

Personal Services Income

This question is in everyone's tax return, and you have to answer it… correctly!

“Did you receive any personal services income?” 

People often get stumped by this one, but the main thing to remember is that it’s not necessarily a good or bad thing, you just have to...

Oh the places you’ll go! 

Your job or your business activities might require you to travel nationally or even internationally. These trips come with added expenses, so it is important to understand what records to keep and what you might be entitled to deduct at tax time.

What are travel expenses?...

Growing up I was taught by my parents that even with a little, we have a lot to give. From the days of having $5 pocket money, to now, I have been putting aside something to give to others. 

Artists have shown their generosity in spades recently, whether the donation is something of value such as t...

PAYG-W

PAYG-W stands for Pay As You Go Withholding. These are tax amounts that the employer withholds from their employees' salary and wages, to then be paid to the ATO on their behalf. Businesses also withhold money from contractors who might have voluntary agreements in place and businesses who d...

PAYG-I

PAYG-I stands for Pay As You Go Instalments. They are like instalment or pre payments the ATO kind of make you pay towards your end of year income tax debt. 

We like these because they help us (force us) to put money aside for tax. Instead of it sitting in our bank, teasing us and tempting ...