Finance
Get your free money*
Adam Courtenay With a bit of elbow grease, it's not too hard to win a government grant, especially if you're starting a business.
Rules around vehicle tax deductions
Max Newnham Some vehicles qualify for 100 per cent business use from a tax perspective without using a logbook.
Tax facts explained
Max Newnham When is the right time to register for GST? Register at the wrong time and your income could drop.
It's tax time: make the most your deductions
Christopher Niesche Tax time is coming up again and small-business owners need to start thinking about deductions.
Cash is still king, say financial experts
Alexandra Cain Businesses with an eye on cash have more success than those without good cash flow.
Paying tax when you start a business
Max Newnham Tax is taken care of when you're an employee. But when you work for yourself, the buck stops with you.
FINANCE
Protecting yourself from others' failures
Anneli Knight A family business pays the price when a supplier goes into administration.
BUSINESS MAXIMS
Several wins, one loss
MAX NEWNHAM If you're buying a motor vehicle for your business this year, you're in luck.
Fake bank notes in NSW, police say
Counterfeit $50 and $100 notes are being circulated at supermarkets, fast food outlets and pubs and clubs, NSW police say.
Paying your debts as a subcontractor
MAX NEWNHAM Cash flow problems can arise if you fail to put money aside to pay income tax or GST.
Debt agreements rise to avoid bankruptcy
More Australians are using debt agreements to avoid bankruptcy.
GST overhaul inevitable, desirable: business groups
Madeleine Heffernan An overhaul of the goods and services tax is inevitable and might help raise living standards, business groups say.
SURVIVAL GUIDE
Survival guide to avoiding Xmas insolvency
Christopher Niesche Christmas is the time when small businesses are most likely to become insolvent.
No GST change on foreign goods just yet
The federal government has acknowledged GST threshold is high, but rejects calls for any immediate reduction.
'Very steep rise' in disputes: ombudsman
A growing number of Australians are struggling to repay home loans, credit cards and personal loans, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) annual review has found.
Retailers in push to cut Sunday pay
Clay Lucas Retailers will push for their staff's hourly pay to be cut by as much as $8 an hour on Sundays.
Wong rejects GST hike or base extension
Finance Minister Penny Wong says the federal government won't be extending the GST or lifting its rate, changes a former Treasury boss believes are inevitable.
Boost for redundancy scheme
Clay Lucas Cost of scheme that pays workers their entitlements when companies go broke is set to soar.
Here's the bad news: you're bankrupt
Andrea Petrie Innocent Victorians are being declared bankrupt for debts that do not exist - without them even knowing they have been taken to court.
Max Newnham
ATO letter a little bit taxing
BUSINESS MAXIMS Q. I've received a letter from the ATO about changes to my tax. Why is this?
Fat chance: iconic Melbourne boutique thrown a lifeline
Rachel Wells Iconic Melbourne fashion retailer Fat thrown a lifeline after going into administration.
Near-miss inspires bankruptcy battle
Su-Lin Tan When Christian Oey was in the depths of depression, he somehow managed to find a voice to negotiate himself clear of bankruptcy.
RBA cuts cash rate by 0.25 per cent
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut its interest rate by 0.25 per cent to 3.25 per cent at its October board meeting.
Rate cuts needed before Christmas: ACCI
Business trading conditions have hit the weakest level in 14 years, prompting calls for 50 basis points worth of interest rate cuts before Christmas.
My business is struggling
BUSINESS MAXIMS Q. I have started a small business that hasn't been doing very well. I have only earned $45 - do I need to claim it on tax?
More small businesses must fall: debt expert
LARISSA HAM Falling profits across the small business sector have resulted in companies struggling to pay their bills and many to keep trading while insolvent, according to a major debt collection agency.
Should I register for GST when buying a car?
MAX NEWNHAM Q. I degistered for GST as my income was too low. Now I'm making a profit and need to buy a new work vehicle.
Company tax likely to stay put
Peter Martin The Tax Institute says it can't support axing business tax breaks to fund cuts.
Union optimistic about penalty rate bill
The retail industry union in South Australia is hopeful independent Senator Nick Xenophon will re-think a bill to cut penalty rates for some hospitality and retail workers.
Govt to support penalty rates
The federal government will continue to support penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work.
Tax office puts heat on struggling firms
CLANCY YEATES The tax office says it is taking a more aggressive stance on small businesses that may not be financially viable, in an attempt to protect tax revenue and other creditors.
Claiming vehicle deductions can be tricky
MAX NEWNHAM Q. I'm a self-employed contractor and want to buy a new car for my business. What do I need to be aware of?
BANKING
Axe your bank: 10 signs it's time to switch
David Wilson How loyal do you feel towards your bank?
Pedigreed Victorian brokers in merger
CHRIS ZAPPONE Two Victorian stockbroking firms dating back to the 19th century will merge to create a company with $8 billion in funds under advice.
WorkCover 'may scrap leave entitlements'
Unions want the NSW government to rule out any change that would threaten entitlements for people on compensation leave.
How to ... stay on top of your cash flow
Gavan Ord Lots of profitable businesses fail because they don't have the cash.
Greens in bid to boost small business support
Clancy Yeates Small business owners would receive extra support worth up to $300 million a year under a new proposal from the Greens.
Pay tax at the lowest possible rate
MAX NEWNHAM We're opening a cafe in a few weeks' time. How can we maximise our tax claims?
Online boom sparks credit card crimes
ERIC JOHNSTON The online shopping boom spawns a surge in credit card fraud, with about one in 15 Australian adults becoming victims last year and total losses blowing out to a record $278 million.
Shopping centres to feel the squeeze
Traditional shopping centres will feel the squeeze over the next decade as shoppers demand more attractive experiences and increasingly move online, a property report shows.
How to calculate your tax rate
MAX NEWNHAM When you run a small business you can potentially be subject to countless state and federal taxes.
Reduce the juice: how to beat the carbon tax
David Wilson The carbon tax could reportedly drive power bills up by 20 per cent. Here's 10 tips to help slash energy costs in your small business.
Is your accountant worth keeping?
MAX NEWNHAM The new financial year is a good chance to review your business, including the work of your accountant.
Minimum wage rises from Sunday
With the new financial year fast approaching, the federal government is reminding low-paid workers they will get a pay rise from July 1.
Buying a bargain could be risky business
Christopher Niesche Many small businesses are going cheap right now, but potential buyers shouldn't be seduced by low prices and the chance to be their own boss.
