Payroll tax – it's a topic that often flies under the radar
for small business owners, but it can quickly become a financial headache if not handled correctly. In this blog post, we'll dive into some
of the everyday mistakes and tricky grouping issues that small businesses often encounter when dealing with payroll tax.
The Lowdown on Payroll Tax
Let's face it – payroll tax can be a real nuisance. It's a tax that seems to punish you for hiring and growing your team. But don't
fret; we're here to help you navigate the payroll tax maze.
Navigating the world of payroll tax might not be your idea of fun, but it's essential for the financial health of your small business. By avoiding these common blunders – like misclassification, missing taxable components, falling into the grouping trap, and neglecting accurate record-keeping – you can ensure that you're not blindsided by unexpected liabilities and penalties. Stay informed, seek professional advice when needed, and master the art of payroll tax compliance to keep your small business thriving.
We're here to help you stay in the know and save on taxes!
Lunch & Learn Workshop // 18 September, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
Many business owners believe growth comes from more sales. But in reality, the strongest and most profitable
businesses grow by improving how the business works, not just by selling more. This session is designed to change that. The
5-Critical Financial Metrics
is a practical workshop that shows you where small, targeted changes can create disproportionately big improvements in profit, cashflow and
sustainability.
.png)
MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Friday 31 August, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Join our practical,
educational workshop designed to help business owners understand the lending process and in preparation for funding conversations, learn how lending decisions are really made and what banks actually look for.
.png)
MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Tuesday 25 August, 10:00am-12:00pm
This practical, confidence-building session is designed to give business owners control. Know Your Numbers is a hands-on workshop created specifically for non-financial business owners who want clarity and confidence in their decision-making.
.png)
MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Monday 24 August, 5:30-7:30pm
This practical, education-first session helps business owners cut through the confusion and take back control of their business insurance
decisions.
Spring is consistently the busiest period of the year for Australian property, with more listings, open homes and competition than at any other time.
As income grows, it's easy for spending to grow with it. This article explores practical strategies to help you make the most of your strongest earning years and build greater financial freedom for the future.
B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026 brought together business owners, leaders and innovators for a day of inspiration, learning and connection. Take a look back at the highlights from another successful event.
Many SMSF members assume their Will determines who receives their super. However, without the right SMSF arrangements in place, the outcome may not be what you intended.
.png)
MP SHIRE SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL / LIVE WORKSHOP
Monday 10 August, 5:30-7:30pm
This practical session, in collaboration with the Mornington Peninsula Shire as part of the Small Business Festival, helps small business
owners understand AI and automation and shows how small businesses can use smarter tools to reduce manual work, improve accuracy and
create more capacity for growth.
The ATO has updated its approach to holiday homes and short-term rentals, potentially affecting deductions claimed by some property owners. Understanding how your property is used could help you avoid surprises at tax time.
If family overseas is planning to send you money, it's important to have the right records in place. A recent court case highlights how difficult things can become when documentation is missing
| Borrowing through a family trust can be effective, but the wrong structure could put valuable interest deductions at risk. |
Conference // 5 August, 2026 - ALL DAY EVENT
The B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026 is the Mornington Peninsula’s premier event for bold business owners ready to rethink what’s
possible, reinvent how they operate, and reignite their growth. Hear from global keynote speakers including Grant Hackett, Andrew Griffiths
and Kate Christie plus local business innovators.
| Received an ASIC renewal or company review notice in the mail? Before you pay, here's how to spot third-party correspondence and avoid unnecessary costs. |
| Planning to buy property through your SMSF? A key rule change from 10 August 2026 could impact your options. Understanding the deadline now may help you avoid missing an important opportunity. |
| Working more than one job this year? You could end up paying less tax throughout the year and more at tax time. Here's why it happens and how to avoid an unexpected bill. |
The headlines say negative gearing is "gone." For most investors, that is not what the new law does.
From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount will be replaced — for individuals, trusts and partnerships — by two mechanisms working together: indexation of the asset's cost base, and a minimum 30% tax on the resulting net gain.
Since the beginning of 2025, 62 per cent of occupiers leasing more than 1,000 square metres have either expanded or maintained their footprint.
Darwin's commercial property sector is strengthening with rising rents.
| SMART Business Solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Underhill as Partner, recognising his outstanding contribution to the firm and the clients he supports every day. |
.png)
Smart Business Solutions is proud to announce that Ryan Smit, an accounting student at RMIT University and Assistant Accountant at SMART Business Solutions, has been named Accounting Student of the Year, recognised for his forward-thinking approach to the profession and his commitment to integrating AI, intelligent workflows and technology into modern accounting practice.
For many business owners, superannuation is something that gets attention in June — when tax planning comes into focus. But the real opportunity lies in planning your super contributions at the start of the financial year, not the end.
The new financial year has officially clicked over – and with it comes the trio of mid-year obligations every employer needs on the radar: Single Touch Payroll (STP) finalisation, WorkCover declarations, and Payroll Tax annual reconciliation.
On 26 June 2026, the Federal Government passed a significant change to how Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) can invest in residential property. New Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) to purchase residential property inside an SMSF will be banned from approximately 10 August 2026 — 45 days after Royal Assent.
Grant Hackett joins Shannon Smit to share what it takes to perform at the highest level - from Olympic success to leading an ASX-listed business. This episode unpacks the mindset, discipline and leadership habits that drive long-term success, including key lessons on consistency, blind spots and building sustainable high performance.
The First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with a 5 per cent deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
The 2026 Federal Budget proposed the most significant changes to residential property tax settings in a generation.
How a business crosses the 30 June line matters more than many owners realise
From 1 July 2025, interest charges on business tax debt were also deemed non-deductible by the ATO, increasing the real cost of carrying that debt.
Commercial property investors are increasingly focused on asset quality over broad sector performance.
.png)
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in MELBOURNE with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using cutting-edge
Agentic AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants,
bookkeepers, finance teams, and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical
system for everyday work.
.png)
AI-Enhanced Automation for Accounting and Finance Professionals: Leveraging ChatGPT, Copilot & Claude for Innovation and
Productivity.
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop in BRISBANE with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using cutting-edge Agentic
AI tools including Chat GPT, Claude, CoPilot and Gemini. This workshop is built for accountants, bookkeepers, finance teams,
and business owners who want to move beyond basic prompts and turn AI into a reliable, ethical, and practical system for everyday work.
A caravan loan can make the upfront cost manageable, but it’s the ongoing expenses that can catch first-time owners off guard.
Fixing your rate can offer certainty, but it also involves trade-offs that are worth understanding before making a decision.
Lenders calculate how much you can borrow based on your income, existing debts, living expenses and other financial commitments.
Business Growth brings its own financial pressures, and cash flow is often where those pressures first show up. It’s a pattern that catches many business owners off guard.
| The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down its 2026 Annual Wage Review, and the numbers are in. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage will rise by 5.97%, and modern award minimum rates will increase by 4.75%. |
The luxury residential sector is experiencing uneven performance across Australia's major cities.
.png)
WEBINAR // 28 May, 2026 - 12:30 - 1:15pm
From 1 July 2026, Australian employers must pay super on payday - not quarterly. Join us on Wednesday 28 May for a practical 45-minute briefing on what Payday Super actually requires, where the risks are for small businesses, and the steps you can take right now.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway - all registrations will receive access to the recording to your inbox.
Rental performance is increasingly fragmented across the country.
Consumer habits have shifted markedly, with daily convenience trips now replacing the traditional big-shop model, turning neighbourhood and convenience centres.
Australian farmland prices are expected to continue their modest growth trajectory in 2026, with the median price per hectare forecast to increase by two per cent.
Lunch & Learn Workshop // 22 May, 2026 - 12:00 - 1:30pm
$35pp includes lunch
This session is designed to change that. Pricing, Profit &
Your Ideal Client
is a practical workshop that helps you understand where your
profit really comes from,
how pricing decisions affect margins, and why working with clients that align with your business makes a measurable difference to both
profit and cashflow.
Buy now, pay later can be cost-effective if you pay on time.
Institutional capital is flowing back into Australian commercial property as market fundamentals strengthen, with experienced investors moving ahead of broader market confidence.
Now's the time to review what strategies you can use to minimise your tax before 30 June.
Making strategic investments in new assets before EOFY can position your business for growth in the year ahead.
As income grows, it's easy for spending to grow with it. This article explores practical strategies to help you make the most of your strongest earning years and build greater financial freedom for the future.
B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026 brought together business owners, leaders and innovators for a day of inspiration, learning and connection. Take a look back at the highlights from another successful event.
