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Practical guidance for Melbourne business owners on uncategorized.
Trusts in Australia: The Complete Guide to Types, Tax and Asset Protection
Learn the key types of trusts in Australia — discretionary, unit, testamentary and more. Pinnacle Accounting Advisory explains which trust structure suits…
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ATO Cents Per Km Rate 2026-27: How Much Can You Claim on Your Car?
The ATO cents per km rate for 2026-27 is 91 cents. Here is how much you can claim on your car, the…
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Australian Income Tax Rates 2026-27: Every Bracket Explained
Complete guide to 2026-27 Australian income tax rates for individuals. Every bracket explained with worked examples, LITO, Medicare levy, and tax planning…
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Family Trust Tax Changes: The Proposed 30% Minimum Tax and Who It Really Hurts
The 2026-27 Budget proposed a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trust distributions. Here is what it means for small business owners, who…
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Family Trust Election & Interposed Entity Election: Australia Guide
Learn what a family trust election is, when an interposed entity election is required, and the real cost of getting these elections…
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Trust Distribution Strategies: How to Minimise Tax With a Family Trust
Most family trusts don't distribute income strategically. Here's how to structure your trust distributions to legally minimise tax — and what to…
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Business Structures in Australia: The Complete Guide for Business Owners
A complete guide to the four main business structures in Australia — sole trader, partnership, company, and trust — including how they…
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Sole Trader to Company: When to Make the Switch and How to Do It Right
Running a business as a sole trader is simple and inexpensive — and for many business owners starting out, it makes complete…
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Small Business Restructure Rollover: How to Change Your Structure Without Triggering Tax
Restructuring a business always carries a hidden cost: tax. Any time you move assets — goodwill, plant and equipment, intellectual property —…
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Super Guarantee Rate 2025: 26: What Every Australian Employer Needs to Know
The super guarantee rate increased to 12% on 1 July 2025 — the final step in a legislated schedule that has been…
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Personal Services Income: What It Means for Your Tax and How to Stay Compliant
If you operate through a company or trust, or work as a contractor providing services primarily through your own skills, you’ve probably…
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Corporate Trustee vs Individual Trustee: Why Your Family Trust Needs a Company
Most family trusts in Australia use an individual trustee — but this decision creates real legal and financial risk. Here's why a…
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ASIC Annual Review Fee: What Happens If You Don’t Pay (And Other Business Registrations You Can’t Miss)
ASIC Annual Review Fee: What Happens If You Don’t Pay (And Other Business Registrations You Can’t Miss) Most business owners know the…
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Car Tax Deductions: 10 Common Questions Answered
Business signage does not make a vehicle 100% deductible. Commuting is not claimable. The car limit is $69,674 for 2025–26. We answer…
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SMSF Bare Trust: How It Works, How to Set One Up and What It Costs
How SMSF bare trusts work in Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements. Step-by-step guide for buying property in your SMSF using an LRBA and…
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How to Set Up an SMSF in Australia: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Complete guide to setting up a self-managed super fund in Australia. Steps, costs, trustee structure, ATO registration and ongoing compliance explained. Melbourne…
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Division 296 Tax Explained: What Australians with Large Super Balances Need to Know in 2026
Division 296 tax is now law (effective 1 July 2026) — an additional 15% tax on super earnings above $3M. What it…
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Negative Gearing in Australia: How It Works, Who Benefits, and What the Tax Rules Really Mean
Negative gearing is one of Australia's most debated tax strategies. This guide explains how it works, the deductions you can claim, CGT…
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Salary Sacrifice for Nurses in Australia — How to Legally Keep More of Your Pay
Nurses in public hospitals can access up to $9,010 in FBT-free living expenses and $2,650 in meal entertainment per year. Here’s how…
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Tax Deductions for Nurses in Australia — Complete 2025-26 Guide
A complete guide to tax deductions for nurses in Australia including uniforms, AHPRA fees, CPD, car travel, tools and equipment for the…
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Types of Business Structures in Australia: The Complete Guide
The four main business structures in Australia are sole trader, partnership, company and trust. Each differs in how it is taxed, the…
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How a Bucket Company Can Save Your Business Thousands in Tax
A bucket company caps trust distributions at the 25% company tax rate instead of your marginal rate. Learn how it works, who…
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BAS and Tax Lodgement Dates 2025: 26: The Complete Australian Guide
Every key ATO lodgement deadline for 2025–26 in one place — BAS, income tax, super, FBT and PAYG instalments. Updated July 2026…
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Australian Income Tax Rates 2025-26: The Complete Guide
The complete guide to Australian income tax rates and tax brackets for 2025–26. Includes tax-free threshold, LITO, Medicare levy, worked examples, and…
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How Much Does myTax Cost in Australia?
myTax is the ATO’s free online tool for individuals to lodge their own tax return through myGov, so it costs nothing to…
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Can You Claim a $300 Tax Deduction Without Receipts in Australia?
You can claim up to $300 in total work-related expenses without receipts in Australia, provided the expenses are genuine, work-related, and you…
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NDIS, GST, PAYGW and Contractor vs Employee
NDIS providers must get three things right: GST (many NDIS supports are GST-free, but not all), PAYG withholding (required once you employ…
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What Does an Employee Need to Provide on Their First Day of Work in Australia?
Before a new employee’s first day in Australia, you need their Tax File Number declaration, super fund choice (or their stapled fund…
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What Is Bookkeeping and How Your Accountant Can Help
Bookkeeping is the day-to-day recording and organising of a business’s financial transactions, including sales, purchases, payments and receipts. Accurate bookkeeping is the…
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GST Coding Explained: How to Correctly Code GST on Business Transactions
GST coding is how you classify each transaction for GST purposes in your accounting software, such as GST on sales, GST on…
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Important Considerations for a Family Trust in Australia
A family trust (also known as a discretionary trust) is a commonly used structure in Australia for asset protection, tax planning, and…
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What Is a BAS (Business Activity Statement)?
If you run a business in Australia, chances are you’ve heard of a BAS (Business Activity Statement), but many business owners still…
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Tax Depreciation 2026 Explained: How It Works, Why It Matters, and How Australians Miss Out
Tax depreciation lets businesses and property investors deduct the declining value of assets over their effective life, spreading the cost as a…
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Trust Distribution Minutes: Why They Matter in 2026 and What Trustees Must Do Before 30 June
Trust distribution minutes are the written resolutions a trustee signs before 30 June each year to validly distribute a discretionary trust’s income…
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BAS Deadlines and ATO Obligations Every Business Owner Should Know in January 2026
Business activity statement deadlines depend on your reporting cycle: quarterly BAS are generally due 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28…
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The 6 Bank Accounts Every Business Owner Needs to Run a Sustainable Business
Separating your business money into dedicated accounts, such as income, tax, GST, profit, operating expenses and owner’s pay, gives you instant clarity…
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How to Claim Motor Vehicle Expenses on Tax in Australia (2026 Guide)
You can claim motor vehicle expenses for work-related driving using one of two ATO methods: the cents per kilometre method (88 cents…
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ATO Audit Support for Businesses | Pinnacle Accounting & Advisory
ATO audit support means having a registered tax agent manage the process if the ATO reviews or audits your business, from responding…
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Building A Strong Foundation For Your Business: 9 Key Components For Setting Up A Company
Building a strong foundation for your business means getting the essentials right from the start: the correct structure, registrations and ABN, accurate…
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