Every year, Australian tax payers voluntarily pay the Tax Office millions of dollars in “Death Taxes”.

I am going to make sure you are not going to be one of them.

Proper Estate Planning ensures that your estate goes to those you care about, and not the Tax Man.


How will the latest Federal Budget affect middle-market businesses and people? In the 2024-25 Budget led by Jim Chalmers, there's a focus on balancing support and caution. Measures like rebates on power bills for homes and small businesses, cheaper medications, and announced tax reductions aim to address the ongoing high cost of living.


During tax season, the ATO pays close attention to specific areas where taxpayers are inclined, either unintentionally or intentionally, to make errors. So, what's under their radar this year? They're focusing on record-keeping, work-related expenses, rental property income and deductions, sharing economy earnings, and gains from crypto assets, property, and shares.


Parents often want to support their children, especially when it comes to big milestones like buying a home. But there are some important things to consider before diving in.


Buying your first home is a significant milestone, and it's essential to approach it with careful planning and consideration. Here are the steps you'll typically go through when purchasing your first home, 


One of the most frequent questions we get from clients is how they should invest in shares. In this blog we will discuss the difference ways you can go about it and why we recommend indexed funds and how you can benefit.


After crunching the numbers, we discovered that an individual with a $600,000 loan could potentially save more than $160,000 in interest over the loan's lifespan and shorten the repayment period by over five years simply by opting for fortnightly payments instead of monthly ones. 


These days, one-on-one marketing—that is, contacting people directly—is fast becoming one of the best forms of marketing available. This is happening for some very sound reasons—better response rates, higher sales, improved profitability, and the creation of a saleable asset, just to name a few.

This information, then, is designed to give you insight into some of those benefits and just why your customer database—a detailed list of customer names, personal details, and, in some cases, spending patterns and other information—is so important to the future of your marketing.


A team commitment is literally that. A commitment by the team to the customers. It clearly states what the team is willing to commit to do for the customers. Team commitments are very powerful tools that increase your customer’s level of confidence in your business.


Imagine you’re going on a journey. What are the 2 key things you need to know before you go on any journey?

How you’re going to get there, how long it will take, how much money it will cost, who will be going with you—all are important considerations. However, there are 2 key things you must know:      
Where you’re going and Where you are now.

When you think about it, these are the 2 most critical points. A business plan is designed to map out that journey.


Hey there, party planners and business owners gearing up for the festive season! If you're in charge of throwing a Christmas bash for your awesome team, you might be wondering about the nitty-gritty of tax-deductible shindigs and gifts. Don't worry, we've got your back – let's break it down for you.


Today, we're diving into the world of taxes for doctors and dentists.  We're here to clear the fog and give you some valuable insights into how doctors and dentists can legally mimimise their tax.


If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the world of investing and want a straightforward approach to building wealth, look no further than dollar-cost averaging, or DCA. It's a method that can help you grow your money steadily over time, without the stress of constantly monitoring the ups and downs of the stock market.


In a world where hustle culture and the glorification of busy are the norm, Tim Ferriss' groundbreaking book, "The 4-Hour Workweek," offers a refreshing perspective on life and work.


This information is designed to give you insight into why it is important to decide where you want to be positioned in your market. 
You’ll find out what establishing pricing policy involves for your business and what it could mean to your future.


 How to Ask for Google reviews can be super awkward. But you need Google reviews to build trust with future clients . Here’s how to start...


We all want to support our children in various ways, including financially. Whether it's helping them with their first car, covering school fees for our adorable grandchildren, or even assisting them in buying a home, our parental instincts kick in to lend a helping hand. But here's the thing: simply giving away money can come with risks that we may not have considered.


For many Aussies, having a beach house or a country getaway is like a dream come true—a perfect lifestyle purchase. However, considering the potential costs involved, one common way to make it financially viable is by renting out your holiday home to the public, either partially or for the whole year.


Today, we will dive into an intriguing topic that could save you a considerable amount of money: tax benefits and the role of a Quantity Surveyor's Report for residential properties in Australia.


A novated lease is a car finance option that allows you to treat your personal car like a company car. When you salary package a novated lease, you agree to forgo a portion of your salary in return for a fully maintained car. This allows you to make significant tax savings.


The Federal Government has handed down its 2023-24 Budget which outlines its economic forecasts and identifies key priorities including cost of living relief and growing the economy.


It has been a standard procedure in most medical centres to collect fees on behalf of independent contractor doctors and provide them with premises and administrative services to see their patients in return for a service fee. In fact, over 80% of medical centres are set up this way. However, as a result of a recent case Thomas and Naaz Pty Ltd v CCSR these medical centres may now be at risk of potential payroll tax exposure.. 


If you have a family discretionary trust you need to be aware that the ATO is targeting this area. Where your trust is used to distribute income to family members on lower tax brackets the ATO is seeking to essentially tax trust distributions to family members that do NOT physically receive that money, at the maximum tax rate of 47%...


The 2022-23 Federal Budget is aimed at moving business into the digital era with both carrots and sticks in the budget. In this overview we examine what the impact of the Federal Budget will have on individuals and businesses...


With the upheaval experienced to all aspects of our lives due to the Covid pandemic, it is not surprising many people are questioning their career choices and considering major changes. As a result, we are expecting to see a surge in business start-ups in 2022. New business owners often focus on the product or service offering, financial aspects or other mechanics of start-up whilst neglecting their marketing plan, instead of making it a priority…

 


In part one and two of this series of articles we identified the fact that there is no secret formula or magic potion that guarantees financial success in business, however, there are some key ingredients that successful businesses have in common.  In part three we look at the importance of building a great team, having a lead generation website (including video content) and building a customer database...   


Wishing all our clients and their families the very best for the Festive Season and a safe & happy 2022. Please note we will be closed from Friday 24th December and re-opening Monday 10th January 2022. In the meantime, and in case you missed it, check out our latest Business Accelerator Magazine, full of articles and news about growing and nurturing your business. This edition includes our second article in a series on What are the Key Ingredients for a Successful Business? As well as articles on the ATOs new Stapled Super Fund rules, an examination of why start-ups fail and info on the rules around the newly introduced Company Director ID Number…


Most people for one reason or another contemplate starting their own business. While there’s no magic potion or secret formula that guarantees business success, highly successful businesses have some common characteristics that we will explore across a series of articles. In this instalment, we look at the importance of marketing and systemisation...


Are you a Company Director? The new Director ID regime is now law and existing company directors have until 30 November 2022 to apply but new directors appointed as of 1st Nov 2021 have just 28 days from appointment to apply and directors appointed 5th April 2022 onwards must apply prior to appointment...


The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way we live, work and play. While the pandemic has posed a threat to lives and livelihoods, there’s clear evidence that people have struggled to balance the hybrid work model particularly when combined with home schooling duties. After 18 months of uncertainty people are doing a lot of soul-searching and a chunk of the population are re-evaluating various parts of their lives including their employment and some are considering self-employment. In this article we examine the perils and pitfalls of going out on your own, and importantly, how to avoid them...


It's an emotional moment when you finally make the decision that it's time to sell your business. All those long hours, customer dramas and financial risks will loom large in your mind but the buyer isn't interested in how much work you've put into your 'baby', they want to see financial proof that the asking price is justified....


Don’t miss our latest edition of the quarterly Business Accelerator Magazine, full of articles and news about growing and nurturing your business. This edition includes the first part in our series on The Key Ingredients of Business Success as well as looking at whether COVID-19 Grants are taxable and the ATO’s data-matching programme targeting lifestyle assets…


Most people at some stage of their lives, for one reason or another, contemplate starting their own business. While there’s no magic potion or secret formula that guarantees business success, highly successful businesses have some common characteristics that we will explore across a series of articles...


The State and Federal Governments have provided business owners with a range of grants and subsidies through the pandemic including the Cashflow Boost, COVID-19 Disaster Payments and JobKeeper. While you might think all government support is tax free, this is not the case...


Classifying your customers could make a real difference to your business. It could be the difference that means you won't spend every waking hour at work thinking about it! It could literally improve quality of life for you and your team. You see, we all have customers we just don't like to deal with. Well, why do it? Those customers who give us grief, never pay on time, complain consistently, or are generally unfriendly and uncooperative really don‟t have to be a part of our lives. This information is designed to give you insight into what classifying your customers means, why it's important, and how to do it successfully.


The Victorian Government has announced the reintroduction of the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme. Businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million and who have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more due to the pandemic will be eligible as well as most ACNC registered charities that have experienced a decline in turnover of 15% or more…


You see after purchasing a product or service, a customer will be happy or dissatisfied and will act accordingly out there in your marketplace. Statistics show that happy customers tell some people, whereas unhappy customers tell almost everyone and anyone who will listen. As such how a customer feels after a purchase is almost as important as before! ‘Post-purchase dissonance’ literally means that the customer becomes unhappy with the purchase afterwards. Ever bought something and then for some reason felt like you’d done the wrong thing only days later? That’s post-purchase dissonance and most people have experienced it at one time or another. For some, it happens almost instantly. 


In this blog, you’ll find out just how important it is to truly differentiate your business in the eyes of your potential customers. And you’ll find out what a ‘Unique Core Differentiator’ is and how important this could be to your business. Important because it’s a critical tool to help your potential customers clearly understand the differences between your business and your competitors—in an instant. What are people really looking for?


A back end refers to that part of your business that sits behind your ‘front end’! Your front end is the products or services your customers initially purchase from you. You might consider these ‘initial’ products or services the mainstay of your business. A back end creates the opportunity for repeat sales. It means your customers can come back to you again and again. This makes dealing with that customer far more profitable. Another great benefit is that it reduces your need to go out and win new customers constantly (far more expensive than selling to existing customers), but it does much more than that.


As you can imagine, there are literally hundreds of variations on creating a system to capture referrals within your business. This information is designed to give you insight into some ways and means of putting together a great referral system. Find out just how powerful the 7 ways of gathering referrals can be for your business... 


How many times have you heard it? A business owner complains about the government, the weather, any number of other reasons, for the failure of their business. In fact, for most businesses, the statistics you’re about to see tell a very different story. A story that’s important to understand so that you and your team know just how much your own actions ultimately affect the success or failure of your business in a much more significant way…


Australian businesses are again feeling the pinch financially as the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. Businesses along the east coast particularly are in a state of uncertainty - going in and out of lockdown like a swinging door. As a result, the Federal Government has expanded the range of financial support available...


As we approach the end of the 2020/21 financial year, the Australian Tax Office has indicated that several types of costs associated with working-from-home will not be eligible as a tax deduction…


Don’t miss our latest edition of the quarterly Business Accelerator Magazine, full of articles and news about growing and nurturing your business. This edition includes our Federal Budget roundup, articles on working ON your business, not IN your business as well as a Tax Return Checklist...


Victorian Business Costs Assistance Program (Round Two) - with the snap lockdown commencing Thursday 27th May the Victorian State Government has announced Round Two of the Business Costs Assistance program which opened for applications today (Friday 4th June) and the Commonwealth Government has announced a Temporary COVID Disaster Payment for employees...


The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg released the Federal Budget on Tuesday May 11 and the focus is on recovery and investment to support job creation to drive economic growth. In this article we examine the main changes proposed around personal and business taxation as well as superannuation…


In this fourth edition of our Recession Buster Newsletter we continue to examine the 4 Ways to Grow Your Business, specifically the 4th way – Improving Your System & Processes. In other articles we explore the importance of having a website. Other articles include the 3rd part of Ways to Turn Your Website into a Lead Generation Machine - this particular article looking at the importance of a good headline, Live Chat function, Social Proof (Testimonials) & Social Media Links - and finally we look at mining your customer database for gold...


There is an old saying, ‘The most fertile source of insight is hindsight’. That being the case, what can business owners learn from the COVID-19 pandemic? 


Every business owner wants to grow their business and their profits. While there’s no secret formula or recipe, the fact is, business growth and improved profitability are outcomes achieved as a result of processes including marketing, your expertise, customer service and your team’s performance...


Victoria's business community has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the recent circuit breaker lockdown further impacting Victoria, the State Government has announced a further $143 million package to support impacted businesses... 


In this third edition of our Recession Buster Newsletter we continue to examine the 4 Ways to Grow Your Business, specifically the 3rd way - Increasing the Average Sale Value. In other articles we explore the importance of measuring, monitoring & testing your business, Other articles include the 2nd part of ways to turn your website into a lead generation machine - this particular article looking at the importance of Lead Magnets & Calls to Action - and finally we examine the importance of goal setting and future planning...


The JobMaker Hiring Credit system announced in the 2020-21 Federal Budget has now passed into law and if your business is eligible and you hired additional younger employees from 7th October onwards, you can now claim the credit (quarterly in arrears) from the ATO from 1 February 2021…


With the media flooding us with COVID-19 information and governments around the world using vocabulary that is normally reserved for war time we know we are living in unprecedented times. Historically, business start-ups tend to surge when there are high levels of unemployment and middle management lose their jobs. Amongst all the uncertainty, is it the right time to start a business?


As businesses reopen, we are being confronted with a new ‘normal’. More people are now working from home and increasingly, staff and customer meetings are being conducted online rather than face to face.  In the second edition we explore the 4 Ways to Grow a Business with a focus on the second way - How to Get Your Customers to Buy More Often. In other articles we look at how to turn your ‘electronic brochure’ style website into a lead generation machine and how to convert those leads into sales. Finally, we look at the importance of giving your customers a guarantee... 


The COVID-19 pandemic not only triggered a global health crisis, it also plunged Australia into recession for the first time in three decades. As such, a lot of business owners are in unfamiliar territory and we are here to help you navigate your way through this extraordinary and challenging period...


Treasurer Josh Frydenberg presented his second budget on October 6 in what was described as the, "most important budget since World War II". As expected, there is massive expenditure to reboot and stimulate the economy after the economic devastation brought on by the coronavirus pandemic...


As business owners, we need to learn from experience because history has a habit of repeating itself. Going forward we need to have a contingency plan in the event there is another virus outbreak or some other catastrophe …


The Government’s Stimulus Packages have given thousands of businesses a lifeline during the Coronavirus crisis. Unfortunately, with many businesses back in lockdown in Victoria, some businesses just won’t survive this time around. As accountants, our mission is to ensure you survive but if all avenues have been exhausted and it’s the end of the road, there are a number of things that need to happen to wind a business up…


The ATO has announced a rise in the cents per kilometre deduction rate for motor vehicle expenses for the 2020/21 financial year. Effective from July 1, 2020 it will be 72 cents per kilometre. The tax office is expecting to see a drop in work related car expenses claims due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions in the last quarter of the 2019/20 financial year ... 


Businesses have been forced back into lockdown, for some maybe for the first time under the current stage 3 restrictions in Victoria (Stage 4 in Melbourne) and one thing has become clear, it’s no longer ‘business as usual’. The world as we know it has changed and we have been forced to rethink our daily routines, spending habits, exercise regimes and social interactions. Many businesses will be in dire circumstances, but is this the time to be trimming your marketing, or just the opposite?


Sadly, many Australian businesses are a long way from trending back to 'normal' as we approach 27 September 2020, the original date that the JobKeeper Payment was set to end. Thankfully the Government has announced an extension of the JobKeeper Payment with reduced rates and additional turnover qualifications...


The coronavirus has been labelled the biggest global crisis for three generations. The economy came down 50 floors in the ‘elevator’ and it will be much slower and harder going back up via the staircase. To help your business survive and prepare for the period of regrowth we have put together this list of items to consider


As part of the Government’s response to the coronavirus and its financial impact on individuals, there is a temporary opportunity for individuals to withdraw up to $10,000 from their superannuation funds before June 30  


If you are one of the thousands currently working from home during the COVID-19 ‘shut down’, you may be able to claim a deduction for some of the expenses for your ‘office’ area. There are two parts to this, those employees working from home and businesses where their principal place of business is their home – effectively running their business from home.


American business magnate, Warren Buffet said, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.”  When the economy is booming, we tend not to worry about our level of debt or expenditure on non-essential items. As the shock of the coronavirus wears off, it’s time to move into the planning phase and develop a clear strategy. The following checklist serves as a useful action plan ...


As the end of this quite extraordinary financial year approaches, we have created a Tax Planning Guide which highlights some end of year tax planning opportunities to help you minimise tax and take action on any items required pre June 30.   


Pivoting is something business owners normally do when they sense the business needs a change of direction. The COVID-19 pandemic's arrival with little or no warning has caused most Australian businesses, both big and small, to effectively go into hibernation. The question is, could your business benefit from pivoting in the current environment?    


The coronavirus has been labelled the biggest global crisis for three generations and has stopped the economy in its tracks. Thousands of businesses have gone into hibernation and self-isolation rules have changed the way we live. Business owners face never seen before challenges and to help navigate your way we provide a checklist and other resources to help our clients  


There is a lot of confusion about the JobKeeper enrolment process for employers. Last week some 800,000 employers lodged an expression of interest for the JobKeeper Payment System, but this DOES NOT mean you are enrolled.  


The Government have announced a ‘Job Keeper’ Program that provides wage subsidy payments to Australian businesses who have seen their turnover reduce significantly as a result of the coronavirus. Registered employers will receive a flat $1,500 each fortnight for each eligible employee, including those that have been stood down or recently rehired.


Our clients are looking for help as the COVID-19 pandemic tracks towards being the greatest social upheaval the world has seen since World War II. The updates and announcements are coming at a breakneck speed. With some industries more severely impacted than others the question is 'What to do next?' In response, we have put together this action plan checklist   


On Sunday 22nd March, the government announced a second rounds of economic responses to the stimulus package. Here we'll  provide you with details of all the changes and how you can take advantage of them. 


Business owners are facing unprecedented challenges with uncertainty surrounding the COVID 19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The pandemic will eventually pass but the big question is, when and what can you do to minimise the damage?   


In light of the recent health warnings from the Australian Government and World Health Organisation, we would like to share with you what we are doing to assist with managing the impact of coronavirus and social distancing on our clients and team members   


The Federal and State Governments have announced a range of relief benefits for small businesses impacted by the recent catastrophic bushfires. Ranging from grant funding, concessional loans, financial support and other measures such as Land Tax relief in effected area   


Happy New Year. It’s the start of a new decade. Is this the time for you to finally make that big change and buy that business you’ve been thinking about? Let’s examine the Five Phases of Buying a Business  


Christmas time can be a make or break period for some types of businesses, retailers, accommodation, wholesalers & the information and communication sectors for example experience their peak sales at this time. For other industries this can be an especially tough time of the year with many business owners experiencing low demand, staff absences and supply disruptions...


In this short video, Fiona Margariti outlines the benefits of utilising cloud-based bookkeeping software, like Xero, that can save you time and money. With benefits such as

  • automated daily bank feeds
  • mobility and availability of your numbers anytime, anywhere
  • simple invoicing options
  • no installation or IT maintenance
  • financial dashboard monitoring your overall financial position
  • add-ons such as Receipt Bank, Debtor Daddy and stock control and point of sale


Have you fallen behind on your Superannation Guarantee obligations? Legislation enabling the Superannuation Guarantee amnesty that was proposed back in May 2018 is before Parliament right now and if enacted, will apply from the original amnesty announcement ...


There have been some much publicised, high-profile cases in the media recently regarding the underpayment of staff. How can this happen and how can you make sure your business doesn't join this "Rogue’s Gallery"?


Businesses fail for a multitude of reasons. Lack of sales and cash flow, inadequate capital and failing to adapt to change can all contribute to the collapse of a business. Let's explore some of the major reasons why business start-ups fail.


Consumer behaviour has changed and your website is now your marketing hub. In this article we look at three key website issues that confront most business owners - not enough website traffic, poor conversion of leads to sales and a lack of strategy…


We know we can’t please all of the people all of the time but with 72% of consumers reporting trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations it can feel really damaging to receive a poor online review. Your instinct might be to try and get it deleted but this shouldn't be your first course of action    


The Tax Office has introduced a Whistle Blower Hotline encouraging people to 'dob in' business owners they suspect are operating in the black economy. The Hot Line went live on the 1st July 2019.   


Creating wealth through an investment property is a well-established practice in Australia. Of the approximate 9 million residential dwellings in this country, almost 25% are rental properties. Read on for our renovation tax tips...


Happy New Financial Year! Don’t miss our latest newsletter which is stuffed full of articles on:-

End of Financial Year Tax Planning
The Federal Budget Round Up
Buyer Beware! – Before You Buy a Business
Thinking of Renovating Your Investment Property?
The Importance of Local Search for Small Business Owners
ATO to visit 1,800 Businesses in a Black Economy Blitz

And don’t forget, Single Touch Payroll becomes mandatory for all Australian employers from today – watch our short webinar in our previous blog to bring you up to speed….


Our Tax Planning Guide for the 2018/19 end of financial year. A round up of strategies to minimise your business and personal taxation.  


Welcome to our Webinar on Single Touch Payroll. 

In this recorded webinar we outline what every employer needs to know about the introduction of Single Touch Payroll in Australia.


Starting a new business seems a daunting task. But take our advice, don’t be scared – be prepared. Here’s some guidelines in what you need to do when it comes time to let people know your new business exists.  


In ‘the biggest compliance issue since GST’ small employers (less than 20 employees) need to get on board with the ATO’s Single Touch Payroll system from 1st July 2019 to report employee’s superannuation and tax withholding on a pay by pay basis. Find out what you need to do now….


Starting a Business is an exciting time, but there are so many things to consider it's hard to know where to start. In this Free 30 minute Webinar we examine the processes and pitfalls when Starting Your Own Business....


Most Business Owners and Professioanls, are on top of the list of most over-taxed Australians .They also top the list of those who voluntarily pay more tax than they are legally required to pay because they don't always get pro-active advice from their accountants.


Bookkeeping may not be everybody’s idea of fun, but it is an essential and unavoidable task in the success of your business. We look at 6 common bookkeeping mistakes and how to avoid them….


Happy New Year!

The staff at Tolevsky Partners wish you every success for 2019 and we'll be full steam ahead from the 21st January.

In the meantime, wherever the road takes you financially this year we’ll be there to support you. Dream big.  And if those dreams include Starting or Buying a Business this year, we’ll help you every step of the way....


Running your own business can be rewarding. You get to follow your passion, choose who you work with and potentially make more money. It sounds irresistible with the flexibility, independence and freedom, however, there is a catch. There are risks but there are also strategies to help reduce those risks…


Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s coming up to the Holiday Season and you might be thinking of throwing an office break up party or providing your staff with Christmas presents. Without being The Grinch, there are Fringe Benefits Tax implications for both of these scenarios that you need to be aware of. 


With Christmas and the holiday season fast approaching, businesses may find their cash flow suffering particularly if current invoices don't get paid until February next year. This can be catastrophic for seasonal businesses so let’s look at some ways to help improve your cash flow.


The Tax Office has deployed what they refer to as "mobile strike teams" to uncover business owners attempting to avoid tax, especially to target the cash economy. With plans to visit some 10,000 small businesses in the 2019 financial year nationwide, this follows on from their earlier successful blitz of cash-centric suburbs around Australia. To this end we outline some of the common mistakes the ATO has recently observed.


One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business is sourcing finance. Once you know how much funding you require it’s time to explore your finance options and there are 6 sources of funding available.  


Facebook remains every marketer's dream, with access to around 15 million users Australia wide. Advertising on Facebook may provide your business with the opportunity to expand your customer base without costing an arm and a leg.  


Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, recently passed intestate (no Will) leaving a purported estate worth US$80 million. A number of claims from interested parties have already been lodged against the estate, which highlights the importance of having a Will. Let’s look at the administrative taxation process involved when you’re left to deal with a loved one’s estate.   


The ATO has indicated they are casting a wider net when it comes to claims for home office expenses, work-related expenses and ride-sharing income. Find out what’s under the microscope this financial year.  


As a business owner and employer there are a number of legislative changes that came into effect on July 1, 2018 which you need to be aware of including Single Touch Payroll, the continuation of the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amnesty, increased Minimum Wage Rates as well as changes to Penalty Rates and the Unfair Dismissal Threshold.  


The rate for work-related car expenses has increased for the income year starting 1 July 2018. It is now 68 cents per kilometre.

This applies if you have chosen to use the cents per kilometre method for calculating work-related car expenses and will remain in place until the Commissioner decides it should be varied.

If you are paying your employees a car allowance in excess of 68 cents per kilometre, you need to withhold tax on the amount you pay over 68 cents.