Business and Enterprise Organization

The Henry Tax Review - 2010

2010-05-02T18:56:00.001-07:00

The Henry Tax Review is also referring to Australia's Future Tax System Review; it is a significant review of the Australian tax system.
The Australia's Future Tax System Review was established by the Rudd Government in 2008 to examine Australia's tax and transfer system, including state taxes, and make recommendations to position Australia to deal with the demographic, social, economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

Dr Ken Henry AC, Chair (Secretary to the Treasury)
Dr Jeff Harmer (Secretary of FaHCSIA)
Professor John Piggott (University of New South Wales)
Mrs Heather Ridout (Australian Industry Group), and
Mr Greg Smith (Adjunct Professor, Australian Catholic University)

One of the main objectives of the Tax Review is to simplifies the tax system, the panel Using wide community consultation and specific terms of reference, recommendations on all aspects of the Australian tax system have been made including: superannuation, company taxation (all businesses), environmental taxes; retirement income; and improving transfer and payment systems.
The Australian Government has released the contents of the Henry Tax Review on 2 May 2010. These are some of the major items announced by the Rudd's Government:

compulsory superannuation will be rise from 9 to 12 per cent by 2019-20
$500 annually payment to low-income workers into their superannuation
Compulsory super payments to worker up to 75 years old.
those worker over 50 will be able to top it up by $50,000 a year in concessional contributions.
A reduction in company tax from 30 to 28 per cent by 2015
Small business benefit earlier from company tax cut from 2012
assets up to $5,000 immediately written off, providing an instant tax benefit.
40 per cent tax on above normal profits for Mining industry.

Chinese Proverbs for Business Management

2010-02-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

To open a shop is easy, to keep it open is an art.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Preserve the old, but know the new.

A closed mind is like a closed book, just a block of wood.

To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun.

Tell me, I'll forget, show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.

Talk doesn't cook rice.

If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.

He who asks is a fool for 5 minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

Men in the game are blind, men outside see clearly.

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.

Drinking the water of a well, one should never forget who dug it.

Late for making Tax payment?

2010-01-10T16:38:00.001-08:00

On 1 June 2009 the Tax Office (ATO) introduced new measures to help small businesses that are struggling to manage their tax payment obligations in the current economic climate.
12 month general interest charge (GIC) free payment arrangements
Businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million and an activity statement debt can apply for a GIC-free payment arrangement from now until 30 June 2010. GIC will be remitted for a maximum period of 12 months, provided the payment arrangement is maintained. There is no limit on the amount of debt under arrangement.

To be eligible a business must

have an annual turnover of less than $2 million

have an activity statement debt, and

negotiate a mutually acceptable and sustainable payment arrangement with the Tax Office that is entered into between 1 June 2009 and 30 June 2010.

The GIC-free period applies to:

activity statement debts (eg GST, PAYG).

Superannuation guarantee charge (SGC) debts are not included as the GIC forms part of the employees’ entitlements.

No GIC is payable for a maximum of 12 months from the day on which the arrangement is entered into.

The actual GIC-free period (maximum of 12 months):
- starts on the day on which the agreement was made, and
- finishes on the day the final instalment is due.
If the arrangement defaults, the GIC-free period ends on the date of default.

If a payment arrangement entered into prior to 1 June 2009 is renegotiated after 1 June 2009, the new arrangement will be treated as a GIC-free payment arrangement subject to the eligibility criteria being satisfied.
*For businesses which belong to a group of entities, the circumstances across all members of the group may be considered when determining eligibility for these offers.

How do I apply?

Phone us on 13 11 42 from 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday.

If your debt is less than $25,000 you can use our automated self help service to apply for a payment arrangement by calling 13 72 26. Our self help service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

contact your tax agent

You can also go to ATO's website to submit a question via the Debt payment email enquiry.

Searching for your lost super

2009-12-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

SuperSeeker is a tool that provide by Governement and it will assist you to look for the super you might lost and provide you with a list of possible matches. It is free to use. The online and phone services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Search Online
UsingSuperSeeker Online is quick and easy. Your search can be completed in a couple of minutes.

Important privacy information will be displayed. Read this information and agree to the privacy disclaimer before commencing your search.
You need to provide your:

tax file number (TFN)
family and given names
date of birth.

If there is a possible match:

The site will tell you the name of the super fund, their phone number and your account number.
Where an account is held, you will be transferred to a client service representative who will provide details of your account.
Where an account is found on the LMR, you may wish to consider:

contacting the fund to update your personal details or enquire about your lost account
consolidating your super accounts, which may reduce your fees and costs
withdrawing your benefit, if your account balance is less than $200 and certain criteria are met.

By paper

Download and complete Searching for lost super (NAT 2476, PDF, 137KB).
When you fill in the form you will need to provide your:

name
date of birth
contact details.

Any additional information you can provide, including your TFN, previous employers and previous super funds, will help us to identify any lost super which may belong to you.
If there is a possible match:

You with be inform the result by mail with:

the name of the super fund, their contact number and your account details
information about any lost super we are holding.

Where an account is found on the LMR, you may wish to consider:

contacting the fund to update your personal details or enquire about your lost account
consolidating your super accounts, which may reduce your fees and costs
withdrawing your benefit, if your account balance is less than $200 and certain criteria are met.

Where an account is held by ATO, you will be asked to contact them directly.

By phone

Phone the SuperSeeker self-help line on 13 28 65.
We will give you important privacy information. Make sure you have paper and a pen ready to write down the details of any lost accounts.
We will ask you to select from a range of topics. For SuperSeeker, select option 1 and then option 2.
We will ask for your:

TFN
date of birth.

If there is a possible match:

We will tell you the name of the super fund, their phone number and your account number.
Where an account is held by us, you will be transferred to a client service representative who will provide details of your account.
Where an account is found on the LMR, you may wish to consider:

contacting the fund to update your personal details or enquire about your lost account
consolidating your super accounts, which may reduce your fees and costs
withdrawing your benefit, if your account balance is less than $200 and certain criteria are met.

Superannuation And You

2009-10-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

Late Super Contribution

2009-09-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

Super guarantee legislation requires that employer to pay super contributions to their employee’s nominated super fund each quarter by the cut-off date. If you make a payment after the cut-off date, you must lodge a Superannuation guarantee charge statement - quarterly (NAT 9599) and pay a super guarantee charge to the Tax Office. Penalties apply if you fail to comply.
If you have made a late contribution to a super fund for an employee, you may be able to offset that payment against the amount of super guarantee charge you have to pay for that employee for that period.

you have made a late payment to your employee’s super fund,

you made the payment prior to the date your original super guarantee charge assessment was made, and

you lodge the late payment offset election with the Commissioner within four years of your original assessment date.

The super guarantee charge is made up of three parts:

nominal interest on that amount (10% per annum), and

an administration fee ($20 per employee per quarter).

You can only use late contributions to offset the nominal interest and super guarantee shortfall components of the super guarantee charge. You will not be able to offset the administration fee, or other interest or penalties.
If you elect to offset your super guarantee charge with your late payment to the super fund, then:
the late payment is not tax deductible for income tax purposes you cannot revoke the election to use the offset, and any late contribution you use to reduce the amount of your super guarantee charge cannot be used as a pre-payment for current or future periods.
Alternatively, you may be able to use a late contribution for an employee for a future quarter if the contribution is made not more than 12 months before the beginning of the quarter. If you choose this option, the contribution will be tax deductible, but you cannot also claim an offset against the super guarantee charge.

Year 2010 Taxation Brief

2009-08-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

Companies
An Australian resident company tax rate remain at 30 per cent of its taxable income.

Capital Gains Tax
Captial Gain Tax at 30% is applying to the disposal of assets acquired (or deemed to have been acquired) after 19 September 1985. A net capital gain arises if the capital gain made by a taxpayer in a year of income exceeds the capital loss made by the taxpayer in that year or carried forward from previous years.

Repatriation of profits
Repatriation of profi ts can generally be undertaken at any time as there are no foreign exchange controls on such repatriation. Dividends paid to foreign shareholders are subject to withholding tax (there are some exceptions).

Retirement income contributions
The Superannuation Guarantee legislation generally requires employers to contribute 9% of an employee’s salary or wages into an Australian superannuation fund.
There are some exceptions from the Superannuation Guarantee, including where a Social Security Agreement that Australia has with another country exempts an employee who has been sent to work temporarily in Australia.

Residetns Individual tax rates

Non-Residetns Individual tax rates

The low income tax offset schedule

2009-07-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

Low Income offset Tax Free Threshold
􀂄 from $750 to $1,200 for the 2009 income tax year $14,000
􀂄 to $1,350 for the 2010 income tax year $15,000
􀂄 to $1,500 for the 2011 and later income tax years $16,000

Rudd's popularity vs government debt

2009-05-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

What plans he has in place????!!!!!! After what he did and or doing......
Does he understand the meaning of Debt? It means - When someone spend the money that he/she does not have.. But who care "Rudd's popularity will rise again with the Government's debt, such as 1st then 2nd then 3rd stimulus package and so on....

Our working mum and dad working family money from AU$??billion surplus to ......in DEBTS Not AU$1 million....but AU$??? billion
Should we encourage Rudd'07 to call for early election and then enrol the Rudd regime to the Financial Management course....Especially the Treasurer....

2008/2009 Tax Time

2009-04-17T17:47:00.001-07:00

Tax Reporting Period: 1/7/2008 to 30/6/2009
Subnisssion Time: 1/7/2009 to 31/10/2009
Lower Income Tax offset: $1,200

Tax Rate:
0 – $6,000 Nil
$6,001 – $34,000 - 15c for each $1 over $6,000

$34,001 – $80,000 - $4,200 plus 30c for each $1 over $34,000

$80,001 – $180,000 - $18,000 plus 40c for each $1 over $80,000

$180,001 and over - $58,000 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000

Company Tax rate - 30%

Rudd Government $42 billion stimulus package

2009-02-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

The Rudd Government stimulus package $42 billion, the plan aims to retain 90,000 jobs up to 2011 and to slow down the Australia against the global economic crisis.
The package covering:
• $14.7b for school infrastructure and maintenance and bringing forward funding for trade training centres ($200,000 per school)
• $12.7b for cash bonuses of up to $950 in immediate one-off payments for families with school-age children, farmers, single income families and people undergoing training
• $6.6b for community and public housing to boost the national stock of public and community housing by about 20,000 new homes
• $3.9b for insulation to 2.7 million homes and solar hot water rebates;
• $2.7b in tax breaks for small businesses to provide deductions for some equipment purchases before the end of June this year
• $890m for regional infrastructure and maintenance (such as: roads railway..) for regional and local government

The Rudd government could not guarantee this stimulus package will really work, in term of retaining JOBS, even the experts has advice that there is no format to measure this big hands-out the result.

But in reality, once the $42 billion has spent, this Debt will be passing to our Future Generation shoulders’.

So far, the Rudd Government has no practical agenda on “HOW TO PAY OFF THIS DEBT, while he is still in power?” The Government has denial there will be taxes increment to cover this Debt, his only hope that the DEBT will be automatically vanish when the economy picking-up again.

So let us hope his dream come true for the sake of our Future Generation might carry this heavy loaded burden.

Take the opportunity and boost your Computer Business

2009-01-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

If you are in Computer business either as a Hardware Supplier or Internet Service Provider, with Government commited to education tax refund -- you got to be lucky...

The Education Tax Refund (ETR) helps eligible families and independent students meet the cost of primary and secondary school education.

Your potential buyer can claim the ETR for education expenses if they incur while their child attends primary or secondary school.

The Families and approved care organisations can claim 50% of their eligible educational expenses if:

they received Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A for the child, or
a payment was made for the child that stopped them from receiving FTB Part A for that child.

Independent students may also be eligible to claim the ETR.

The maximum they can claim is 50% of eligible expenses up to:

$750 for each eligible child in primary school - that is, a refund of up to $375.

$1,500 for each eligible child in secondary school - that is, a refund of up to $750.

If the buyer expenses exceed their refund limit for the year, any excess can go towards your following year’s refund claim, as long as they are still eligible.

The first year the buyer can claim the ETR is for the 2008-09 year (1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009).

Who is eligible?

The buyer are eligible to claim an Education Tax Refund (ETR) for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 if:

The buyer had eligible education expenses for a child, and
the child was in primary or secondary school, and

The buyer received Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A for the child, or
a payment was made for the child that stopped them from receiving FTB Part A for that child, or

The buyer's child stopped full-time school during the year and received sufficient income to stop you receiving FTB Part A.

If the buyer is an independent student attending secondary school or a secondary course of education provided at an educational institution such as a TAFE, they may also be eligible.

What Centerlink can assist Farmer who facing drought issue?

2008-11-28T19:34:00.001-08:00

The major changes involving Centrelink delivered drought assistance include:

an increase to the off-farm income exemption from $10 000 to $20 000 when claiming Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment or Interim Income Support

immediate access to the $5500 Professional Advice and Planning Grant (GST included) for farmers in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declared areas

an extension of the eligibility requirements of small businesses access to EC assistance, to include small businesses located in towns that are substantially reliant on farm income, have a population of 10 000 or less, and are in an EC area (including prima facia and interim assistance areas)

a grant of up to $20 000 to irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin to implement water management strategies in response to significantly reduced water allocations

an exit grant of up to $150 000 for farmers who have decided to leave the land, and an increase in the assets limit to access this grant to $575 000 (maximum grant payable if assets below $350 000), and

a further $10 000 is available for advice and re-training, and up to $10 000 for relocation expenses is also available to those who take up the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant.

Responsibilities of a registered tax agent

2008-10-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

In Australia, anybody or entity who practicing service to deal with tax issues on behalf of somebody (such as: annual tax return, BAS filing and any other tax related topics), should be a registered tax agent, which mean he/she has submit their application (Qualifications and experiences) to Tax Agents’ Board for registration and the application has been approved, newly registered tax agents are issued with a Certificate of Registration by the Tax Agents’ Board (the Board) which is accompanied by information that outlines their responsibilities as a registered tax agent.

There are lists of responsibilities in detail which you can view the Tax Agents’ Board website. Such as Notifying the Tax Agents’ Board ; Personal tax affairs; Preparation of returns; Registration certificate; Responsibilities to clients as well as Tax Agents’ Board responsibilities.
These are some of updated responsibilities include:
• tax agents are required to quote their full tax agent number on all communications to the Board or the Tax Office

• tax agents must be familiar with signature and declaration requirements and ensure that all returns, requests for amendment, and other documents lodged with the Tax Office have been properly authorised, and

• tax agents are obliged to advise the Board in writing of any changes to their address for service, business address, registered name, business name, or business or ownership structure.
More information about the responsibilities of registered tax agents can be viewed on the Tax Agents’ Board website and any questions can be directed to 13 72 86 Fast Key Code 3 4.

Tax agents should also be aware of their responsibilities regarding the use and disclosure of tax file numbers as outlined in the tax file number guidelines in the Privacy Act 1988. Details of those guidelines are available on the Federal Privacy Law website.

2008 Tax Individual Tax Return

2008-07-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

There are few ways to lodgement individual Tax return, by:

registered tax agent (a list of registered tax agents can be found at Tax Agents' Board;
telephone (only for a short / simple tax return);

the Australian Tax Office's e-tax Internet system (fast, secure and quick refund)

Tax Help community volunteers (this is a network of community volunteers trained to help people prepare their tax returns, e.g. baby bonus claim and claim for refunds of franking credits)

family member and friend (you are legally responsible for the accuracy of the information on your tax return)

post (using "TaxPack" and "Supplementary pack" which available at most newsagents or tax-office shopfront).

Income (from local and overseas accounts) should be included in tax return:

A copy of your group certificate/s (e.g. PAYG payment summary)

Bank statements

Dividend notices and interest payments

Rental income

Capital gains on shares, real estate and other investments

Work allowances

Reportable fringe benefits

Distributions from managed funds

Exempt income

Pensions payments and annuities

Foreign income

Partnerships and trusts

Prizes and rewards

Gifts over $10,000
Summaries of benefits from Centrelink or Veteran's Affairs

Expenses, depreciation, deductions and tax rebates (which might allow you to offset your gross income). This list prepared as below only serves as a guide please get advice from registered Tax agent before you apply:

Property investment expenses: (use "TaxPack supplement")

Rental expenses (e.g. insurance, repairs and maintenance, real estate management fees council rate, mortgages interest, telephone bill and others…)

Expenses associated with real-estate purchases

Capital loss

Capital allowances

Decline in asset value (depreciation)

Tax agent fees and other tax-management costs

Share, business and any income related activities: (use "TaxPack supplement")

General investment expenses (marginal loan interest payment, set-up fee, monthly account fees, business operation costs and others…)

Investment losses

Capital allowances

Share broking expenses

Decline in asset value (depreciation).

Tax agent fees and other tax-management costs

Superannuation (self-employed)

Working expenses: (use "Individual income tax return")

Work-related expenses such as telephone costs, petrol, cars and uniforms

Self-education expenses

Travel expenses

Gifts and donations

Medical expenses - if you expect heavy medical expenses you should lodge for the Medicare safety net as most of these expenses will be tax deductible

Decline in asset value (depreciation)
Tax agent fees and other tax-management costs

Work and education-related books, magazine subscriptions and general publications

Tax rebates such as 30 percent childcare rebate

Superannuation (spouse super)

Union fees

Baby bonus

Summary statements of private health insurance

Income protection insurance statements

Notes

If you earn less than $6000 in a financial year or have had tax withheld from your wages, then you do not need to lodge a return except if you claiming Family type A and / or B benefit you might have to file your return to finalise Centerlink final payment schedule.

If an expense totals more than $300 you will need written evidence, so keep all your receipts (e.g. credit card and bank statements as receipts).

You must be kept any documents and records related to Tax return for up to five years after the lodgement - some may be required to keep longer (e.g. investment transaction paper where you may need it when you selling-example house, shares and others long-term investment items) so check with your registered tax agent or the tax office (ATO)

Do not claim any work-related expenses if your boss already paid for them.

Tips

You can claim $300 worth of work-related expenses without receipts

You can claim 20 percent of medical expenses over $1500 if you keep your receipts (e.g., medical bills and pharmacy receipts)
If you expect large medical bills, lodge for the Medicare Safety Net (this Safety Net allows you to claim up to 90 percent of most medical bills over $1500).

If you work outside, you might be able to claim any costs of sun protection items (e.g. sunglasses, sunscreen and hats.
Maximum low-income tax offset is $750 applied if your taxable income is $30,000 or less. This amount reduces by 4% for each dollar of taxable income over $30,000.

Maximum Mature age worker tax offset is $500 check ATO - Mature age worker tax offset for condition and calculation.

I will take care of U!

2008-05-16T21:03:00.000-07:00

China has been hit by an earthquake, Burma a tornado, and the middle east has war, well what we got? “Inflation” crisis!! I don’t think so, this issue is serious enough to let our pensioners strip themselves at parliament house to protest against the cuts to their benefits shown on the “News” and all over the world. After the Rudd Government budget announcement, I have few questions to ask.

What Rudd’s definition of ‘working families’? In term of income, tax and social benefit entitlements?

Can the government guarantee that this budget cut is going to control inflation? What measures are in place to control inflation?

How long will the pensioners have to suffer? Why will it take Rudd’s government a year to review this issue?

As John Howard mentioned “We do not need a new leadership, but the right leadership.” And Rudd stated during campaign “Australian needs change.” So, we got change. The media, the unions and most of us poured in to polling stations to get rid of Howard and we got our change and new leadership.
Then what????

My advice to Rudd is we all live only once. There will always be inflation or deflation but do our pensioners need to suffer even more because of it.

Not for working family, door closed!!!

2008-05-10T20:43:00.001-07:00

Why the Australian Government still not getting the point!!! They know that inflation is rising, mortgage rate is rising, food prices are going up and now petrol price is in the hot pan too. I am surprised the treasurer Wayne Swan is targeting on a medical levy
"Singles will have to earn $100,000 before they pay the 1 per cent surcharge - up from $50,000. Couples will be able to earn $150,000 - up from $100,000 - before they are slugged." This silly move will resulting adding more burden to the hospital waiting list and overload work for hospital staff as well as it may indirectly creating jobs losses in insurance sector. See detail from the Report.

I believe the government should tackle on rising inflation but he should also look into the "human" life as well, how can anybody living in just $6,000 tax-free threshold? This $6,000 threshold free tax have not been adjusted from more than a decade ago. In one hand Labor government acting as a Robin Hood character (steal from the rich and give to the poor)on the other hand they are short handed. Reviewing the $6,000 has been brought out by parties but nothing has been improved.

In 2007, Senator Andrew Murray Spokesperson on Taxation, Finance and Corporate Affairs has suggested "The Australian Democrats propose a phased increase over a number of years in the tax-free threshold from $6 000 (which is less than half the OECD average) to $20 000. People cannot live on $6 000 a year. Australia’s welfare floor is presently around $13 000, the minimum income required for basic subsistence. There is no justification for income taxing someone earning less than this amount" for detail see the Report.

Richard Hackett-Jones from Independent candidate for Queensland stated "- Introduction of a $12,000 tax free threshold for each Australian regardless of age. This will apply to adults and each child in a family and will be fully integrated with welfare measures." for detail see the Report.

Even the former treasurer Peter Costello has mentioned that "From 1 July 2008:
the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) will increase from $750 to $1,200, providing an effective tax free threshold of $14,000 (up from $11,000) to those taxpayers eligible for the full LITO; the 30 per cent threshold will increase from $30,001 to $34,001; and the 40 per cent threshold will increase to $80,001 and the 45 per cent threshold will increase to $180,001, as announced in the 2007-08 Budget. See detail from the Report

So what is the matter with reviewing the long overdue item. I could like to see the Government has a "swap" prgram, then I will nominated the treasurer Wayne Swan to live on only annually a "$6,000" income. Wake-up tresureer "working family" understand you try to look after them but they need fresh air to breath. Target the right issues.

Working family do not need to see "crocodile tear" but real lifting from the burden and stress.

What is a GST?

2008-01-01T19:22:00.002-08:00

10% added into supply

Components of GST:

2008-01-01T19:22:00.001-08:00

Registered entity (person or company) must obtain
ABN (Australian Business Number) for organization and Independent companyfrom ATO (Australian Taxation Office) and Based on the entity major business activities and select following status when registered with ATO:
o GST status or
o GST – Free status or
o GST – input tax status

Exemption:
if the entity yearly turnover or estimated turnover is less then $75.000, the entity does not need to GST be registered with ATO, that mean the entity can not charge GST on the supply and claim GST back from ATO which the entity has spend on purchase. The entity may always face 46.5% of supply amount (see page 5 - withhold supplier who has NO ABN)

Therefore in order to avoid 46.5% withhold and lower down purchases costs most of entity has volunteer to be a registered.

Non-Profit Organizatrion and Fundraising Expenses

2007-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Are fundraising expenses deductible?
For organisations that are not exempt from income tax, fundraising expenses will be tax deductible to the extent they are incurred in deriving assessable income.

EXAMPLE:
A German club that is a taxable non-profit organisation holds an Oktoberfest to raise funds. The sales of food, drinks and souvenirs to members of the public will be assessable to the club. Expenses the club incurred in making these sales will be deductible.

However, there are some deductions that do not have to be incurred in deriving assessable income, for example, superannuation contributions for employees

Australian Individual 2005/2006 Tax Rate

2007-10-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

TAX RATES SYSTEM
In Australia, a taxpayer's income is taxed progressively. Broadly, this means that as you earn more income your average tax rate rises. For Australian residents, the first tax bracket, from $0 to $6,000, has a zero marginal rate of tax. This tax-free amount is called the tax-free threshold.

ResidentsThese rates apply to individuals who:
are residents of Australia for tax purposes for• the whole financial year
did not leave full-time education for the first• time during the financial year.

Tax rates 2005-06
Taxable income Tax on this income
$0 – $6,000 = Nil
$6,001 – $21,600 = 15c for each $1 over $6,000
$21,601 – $63,000 = $2,340 plus 30c for each $1 over $21,600
$63,001 – $95,000 = $14,760 plus 42c for each $1 over $63,000
Over $95,000 = $28,200 plus 47c for each $1 over $95,000

The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 1.5%.

Tax offsets reduce the tax payableTax offsets based on taxable income levels apply to:
individuals on low incomes below• $27,475
individuals who receive certain Australian government allowances• and payments
senior Australians.Other tax offsets apply to people with• dependants, those living in remote areas and those who receive particular types of income or incur particular expenses

Non-residents
If you are a non-resident for the full year, the following rates apply:

Tax rates 2004-05
Taxable income Tax on this income:
$0 – $21,600 = 29c for each $1
$21,601 – $58,000 = $6,264 plus 30c for each $1 over $21,600
$58,001 – $70,000 = $17,184 plus 42c for each $1 over $58,000
Over $70,000 = $22,224 plus 47c for each $1 over $70,000

Tax rates 2005-06
Taxable income Tax on this income
$0 – $21,600 = 29c for each $1
$21,601 – $63,000 = $6,264 plus 30c for each $1 over $21,600
$63,001 – $95,000 = $18,684 plus 42c for each $1 over $63,000
Over $95,000 =$32,124 plus 47c for each $1 over $95,000

Non-residents are not required to pay the Medicare levy.

Non-Profit Organization

2007-10-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

Non-profit organisations operate in many areas of society. They can include:

church schools

churches

community child care centres

cultural societies

environmental protection societies

neighbourhood associations

public museums and libraries

scholarship funds

scientific societies

scouts

sports clubs

surf lifesaving clubs

traditional service clubs

A non-profit organisation is one which is not operating for the profit or gain of its individual members, whether these gains would have been direct or indirect. This applies both while the organisation is operating and when it winds up.

Any profit made by the organisation goes back into the operation of the organisation to carry out its purposes and is not distributed to any of its members.

The Tax Office accepts an organisation as non-profit where its constituent or governing documents prevent it from distributing profits or assets for the benefit of particular people – both while it is operating and when it winds up. These documents should contain acceptable clauses showing the organisation’s non-profit character. The organisation’s actions must be consistent with this requirement.

Acceptable clauses to indicate non-profit character are:

Non-profit clause
‘The assets and income of the organisation shall be applied solely in furtherance of its above-mentioned objects and no portion shall be distributed directly or indirectly to the members of the organisation except as bona fide compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation.’

Dissolution clause
‘In the event of the organisation being dissolved, the amount that remains after such dissolution and the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be transferred to another organisation with similar purposes which is not carried on for the profit or gain of its individual members.’

A non-profit organisation can still make a profit, but this profit must be used to carry out its purposes and must not be distributed to owners, members or other private people.

EXAMPLE
A society makes a $40,000 profit for the year. It uses the profit to reduce its debts and provide for its activities in the following year.

Individual Tax Rate 2006-2007

2007-09-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

RESIDENT
$0 – $6,000__________ Nil
$6,001 – $25,000 _____15c for each $1 over $6,000
$25,001 – $75,000____ $2,850 plus 30c for each $1 over $25,000
$75,001 – $150,000____$17,850 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000
Over $150,000________ $47,850 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000
The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 1.5% (read What is the Medicare levy? for more information).
Tax offsets reduce the tax payable. Tax offsets based on taxable income levels apply to a range of circumstances. For more information read About tax offsets.

Non-Resident
If you are a non-resident for the full year, the following rates apply:
$0 – $25,000 ___________29c for each $1
$25,001 – $75,000_______$7,250 plus 30c for each $1 over $25,000
$75,001 – $150,000 ______$22,250 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000
Over $150,000 __________$52,250 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000
Non-residents are not required to pay the Medicare levy.

Children
If you are under the age of 18, and receive ‘unearned’ income (for example, investment income), special rates apply. Read Income of individuals under the age of 18.

Organization Structures

2006-08-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Each person establishing an enterprises either for profit or non-profit purposes should choose an appropriate legal structure to suit their own situation. Basically, there are four types of legal structures organized by individuals. And all organizations has its advantages and disadvantages you have to look into it.
FOUR TYPES LEGAL STRUCTURES
STRUCTURES FORMATION ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
SOLE TRADER Set-up by sole trade own name.
usually is one man operation.
They are taxed as an individual. Quick and easy to set-up;
single decision maker. Personally liable to all debts;
sole traders can be sued for everything they own.
The business can bankrupt them.
Not easy to get a break because he is on his own.
Nobody to share or discuss.
Usually the life of business is shorter, once the owner ceased the business gone too.
PARTNERSHIP where two or more people put their share together in the business.
Partnership agreement should drew out how profit are shared, duties sharing and etc. this can be in written or oral.
The partners are individually assessed by the share of the profit. Jobs sharing with active partners.
Able to share and discuss with others partners.
getting short break possible. Each of the partners is liable for the partnership debts.
That means if one of the partner can not meet the debt obligation then others partners have to carry this burden over.
Proper Agreement need to drew out to prevent future conflict therefor extra legal costs needed.
TRUST Running business for the benefit of people specified as beneficiaries,
is established by a legal documents called a Trust Deed.
the person establishing it known as the "Settlor" and name one or more trutees.
It can be run as individuals or as companies. Trust can be taxed instead individuals taxes to beneficiaries. Trustee always hold meeting, share and discuss to other members. The trustees are legally liable for all debts of the trust,
but if there is a shortfall they must meet the shortfall from their own resources.
COMPANY By law company is a legal person-"entity" Company is tax on itself as a flat rate.
This including "private" and "Public" company. Shareholders have limited liability based only the value of shares they owned.
The company is a legal person, it has own "life",
it will not be affect by any individuals situation changed, such as director get "fire" or sell it share. small shareholders usually have very limited power to access into company operation.
Company has more administration works than other legal structures.
The cost of formation is higher, such as licence fee and etc.

Types of business

2006-05-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

Everybody wants to has a business, to be his or her own boss, so no body can tell them what to do? Well, being a boss needs lots of hard-works and involving lots of risks. The boss may loss everything if the boss does not know actually how the business is operating. On the other hand, being a boss can be very rewarding. The boss may see the "Baby" (the business) growing and growing, as well as personal wealth is growing too.
Being the boss has to act like a "superman" and able solve all kinds of problems; the boss must be able to please customers; managing staffs; controlling budget; and etc. But most importantly the boss must know how to read financial statements.
Everybody wants to run a successful business, unfortunatly nobody can be 100% sure fom the time the business starts operating or even purchasing a well running business, what direction the business going to fall to in the future. "THAT IS RISK!" and it is a big risk. But the risk can be lower if the boss has some business background. Firstly, we going to look at what is business?

The business itself consists of people, products, services, customers, suppliers, capital resources and finance. The major classifications of business are :
1. Information: This involving computer, television, Internet, radio, newspapers, magazines and books;
2. Service: Service sector is a provision services, such as photocopy, photo-developing, medical, education, real estate, tourism, equipments repair and legal;
3. Banking and finance: such as banks, private lenders, investment company, insurance company and financial brokers;
4. Retailers: This sector has a massive big group of small operators, such as "mixed business", "mini-mart", ice-cream truck, as well as it can be a giant operator like woolworths and target;
5. Manufacturing: this can be range from backyard operators to giant automated mass production, such as wine makers;
6. Wholesalers: wholesalers them self are a "Middleman" whose buy in bulk from primary producers and sales it directly to public or having distributors to sales the products broadly;
7. Mining and oil: these are involving with natural resources, such as gas, opal, coal, mineral and others;
8. Primary Production: these are normally involving in dairy products, such as farming and agriculture.

Business Formation

2006-02-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

There are five popular options for starting up in business. You could:

buy an existing business;
become an agent for a larger firm;
become a sub-contractor to other businesses - or offer business services;
open a shop, restaurant or a pub; or
buy a franchise.
Than you may need to decide what type of orgaization you want to set-up. It is a "Profit" or "non Profit" organizatiom? You'll also have to think about the way you operate your business. Most people set up as :

a as a sole trader (one person owns 100 per cent of the business);
in a partnership (setting up a firm with two or more people);
as a limited company; or
a public company
There are pros and cons to the way each of the above operates (we will discuss in next session)