A friend’s accountant suggested that they could reduce interest on non-deductible debt by using company cash to offset their personal
mortgage, then transferring the cash back by 30 June. Is this an acceptable strategy?
This might initially sound like a brilliant strategy but what is really happening is that you are using company funds to derive a personal
benefit. Doing this once might not attract attention, but doing this more than once might trigger a deemed unfranked dividend under Division
7A. Section 109R is designed for scenarios like this.
If this occurs, the repayment you made will be ignored, meaning that a deemed dividend could be triggered in relation to the funds
initially borrowed from the company unless a complying loan agreement is put in place, in which case minimum loan repayments would need
to be made to prevent a deemed dividend from arising.
For example, let's assume you are a shareholder of the company (or an associate of a shareholder) and you borrow money from the company on 1
July 2022. This loan would generally fall within the scope of Division 7A, but a deemed dividend can be avoided if the loan is fully repaid
by the earlier of the due date and actual lodgement date of the company's 2023 tax return.
However, if you repay the loan but it appears that you intend to borrow a similar or larger amount from the company when making the
repayment then the repayment can be ignored. The main exception to this is where the repayment is made in a way that is taxable to the
individual (e.g., dividends or directors’ fees are set-off against the loan balance).
One of the most common situations where section 109R could apply is where funds are taken from the company bank account and placed into a
director's home loan offset account.
Even if the funds are transferred back to the company before the end of the year, there is a significant risk of section 109R applying if the pattern repeats. That is, the money will be treated as a dividend and taxed as assessable income.
Give us a call or email if you'd like help to understand what this means for you and your business.
Treat finding an accountant like speed dating. Life is busy, you need your accounts looked after and you don’t have time to wade through all the possible suitors. You know what you’re looking for – someone who is on the same page as you, who’s going to hit the deck running and who’s going to make your life easier with them in it.
Following many requests from clients SMART Business Solutions has now started a dedicated bookkeeping division offering you the opportunity to spend more time on your business and less time with the nitty gritty of bookkeeping
SMART Business Solutions are proud to have been awarded several significant awards recently.
We are extremely proud to announce that Shannon Smit, has been appointed to the Board of Taxation’s Advisory Panel for 2016.
Don’t be left up in the air by traditional IT solutions. Check out our top 10 advantages for small businesses switching to cloud computing.Cloud computing is fast becoming the norm because storing information and using software hosted on the Internet has many advantages.
We are frequently asked questions about obligations for WorkCover and Payroll tax. In this article we explore the details, cutting through the legal jargon so you can gain a greater understanding of how it effects you and your business.
New Year’s Eve is famous for the New Year’s Resolutions people make to better themselves in the coming year. What about your financial future? How can you ensure you stick to your resolution?
Small business owners have a lot to think about: sales, staffing, customer service, vision, growth, the list goes on. In fact, it is hard not to think about your business when you’re a small business owner. Perhaps the one responsibility you would rather not think about is bookkeeping/accounting?
Some business owners try to avoid the hassles of accounting by simply ignoring the problem. “I’m too busy,” they say, but no business can hide from accounting. If late lodgement penalties aren’t motivating enough, hopefully the knowledge that you have basically no visibility into the vital indicators of business health will be.
Sure, there are online tools out there to make the process less burdensome, but could your time be better spent? And while you might think that a part-time bookkeeper might solve your problem, it really depends on your needs, and there are downsides there too.
HERE ARE what we think are THE TOP 5 REASONS TO OUTSOURCE YOUR bookkeeping to SMART Bookkeeping Solutions in Mornington
We often hear from clients “I often forget to send invoice reminders or statements and invoices are falling through the cracks, can Xero help with this?” Easy, of course it can!
It's time to celebrate! SMART Business Solutions are pleased to share with our clients some exciting news. The Finalists in the Australian Accounting Awards have been announced with the team being successful finalists in the following categories
- Best Marketing (you know we always try to be different!) Shannon was also interviewed http://www.accountantsdaily.com.au/breaking-news/8605-accountants-must-touch-their-clients-12-times-a-year
- Accounting Student - Well done Hayden!
- Office Administrator - Awesome effort Nicole!
- Partner of the Year - Shannon Smit for both Transfer Pricing Solutions & SMART Business Solutions
Quality Matters – Independent review with outstanding results for SMART Business Solutions
Paying an accountant to handle all of your financial reporting can be expensive, but if you have several different sources and deductions or if you own a small business, it can be worth it.
Is your business thriving, but you struggle to maintain positive cash flow?
Don’t let it crumble from underneath you
It’s nearly BAS time again - tips to make BAS processing easier
BAS time seems to come around quicker and quicker! Here are some tips to try and make it a little easier!
With June 30 quickly approaching we are pleased to provide our year end checklists and questionnaires to help you get organised.
Tax planning is more than just a financial necessity—it's a strategic advantage for businesses of all sizes. By proactively managing your tax strategy, you can significantly reduce your liabilities, enhance cash flow, and ensure full compliance with ever-evolving tax regulations.