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.

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.

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?

The golden rules of tax deduction

Max Newnham Don't know whether a payment is tax deductible or not? The golden rule is that it must be linked with the earning of income.

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.

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.

BUSINESS MAXIMS

A question of profits

Business Maxims Operating a business through a company can be a great idea when starting out. But the tax benefit can be outweighed when profits have built up.

Victorian workers win back $7.5 million

More than 3500 Victorians were repaid $7.5 million after Fair Work Australia investigations found they had been underpaid.

FINANCE

Write, which way should I pay my tax?

Business Maxims Q. I am a UK citizen, and am doing a spot of freelance writing. Should I be taxing myself through my ABN number?

Claiming company expenses

Business Maxims Can I claim my $6000 car purchase as a company expense in my BAS?

Can't pay the ATO? Don't do a runner

Max Newnham Often the first financial commitments that cash-strapped businesses ignore are payments due to the tax office.

Business calls for Henry reform progress

Business groups have called for the federal government's tax forum to be based on the Henry review recommendations rather than start from scratch.

We owe ourselves salaries

Business Maxims Q. Can we claim our salaries - which we don't have the money for - as a tax deduction?

Comm Bank, NAB to review business rates

Eric Johnston and Peter Martin Borrowers face further pain, with Commonwealth and NAB expected to review mortgage, business rates.

BUSINESS MAXIMS

The ABCs of GST

Max Newnham When you own a business there are countless rules and regulations that must be met.

ATO issues? Just ask small business

Henrietta Cook Small businesses welcomed a review of the Australian Taxation Office's cash-economy benchmarks.

Business Maxims

Making the most of fruitful labours

Business Maxims The ability to offset business losses against other income depends on a taxpayer passing one of four tests. Where these tests cannot be passed the loss must be carried forward to later years.

Don't buy the wrong wheels

Max Newnham Many small business owners stumble in buying and financing the right sort of work vehicle.