Elevare Accountants

16/10/2026

After 30 November 2026, taxpayers will no longer be able to use a credit card to make payments to the ATO. Other payment methods will remain available. This follows broader changes to credit card payment fees in Australia.

If you have a payment plan linked to a credit card, you must change to another payment method. Payments after 30 November 2026 will be unsuccessful, and the status of your payment plan may move into arrears or default. The ATO will write to you if you need to change your payment method.

➡ Support options available

The ATO recognises that some small businesses currently rely on credit card payments to manage their tax payments and understand this change may require some adjustments. They are committed to helping small businesses transition to alternative payment methods and will continue to support those experiencing financial hardship or other circumstances that make it difficult to meet their obligations.

Depending on your circumstances, support may be available at ato.gov.au/supporttolodgeandpay or by contacting us or your registered tax professional.

Source and credit: ATO.gov.au

11/10/2026

If you carried on a business (as an individual) during the financial year, you'll need to lodge a tax return - even if your business made a loss.

When lodging your own business tax return, make sure you lodge by 31 October. If you need more time, you may be able to access extended lodgment dates through a registered tax practitioner provided you engage them before 31 October.

⏰ Get your tax return ready

Before lodging, check that you've:

🔴 included all assessable business income
🔴 claimed the business deductions you're entitled to
🔴 correctly apportioned expenses that were used for both business and private purposes
🔴 kept the records you need to support your claims.

Having accurate records can help you lodge with confidence and avoid mistakes.

➡New TPAR pre-fill available

If you're a sole trader or contractor providing services under the Taxable payment reporting system (TPRS), payments reported to us through a Taxable payments annual report (TPAR) are now pre-filled in your tax return.

Most TPAR information should now be available, making it easier to include all related assessable income in your return. Remember to review any pre-filled information carefully and add any income that isn't included.

Source and credit: ATO.gov.au

10/10/2026

What might seem like a quick financial benefit can lead to significant long-term costs and consequences for workers, businesses and company directors.

Workers paid cash-in-hand or ‘off the books’ miss out on superannuation, workplace protections and other employment entitlements, like annual leave, long service leave and public holidays. They can be overwhelmed with additional tax liabilities, penalties and interest if income isn’t declared and later identified. Workers may also discover they can’t verify their income when applying for loans, mortgages, or rental properties, or that their superannuation hasn’t been paid when they go to retire.

➡How to get it right

To help meet your employer obligations:

✔report all income, including cash payments
✔withhold, report, and pay PAYG withholding correctly and on time
✔pay super guarantee contributions for all eligible workers in full, on time and to the right fund
✔maintain accurate records of all business transactions, including employee details, hours, wages and super payments
✔seek advice from the ATO or your registered tax practitioner early if you're having difficulty meeting your obligations.

Meeting your obligations helps protect employees, supports business sustainability and contributes to a fair and trusted system.

Source and credit: ATO.gov.au

09/10/2026

Could your online activity be a business?

Get guidance on tax obligations for content creators, online sellers and influencers.

Whether you're creating content, selling products through online marketplaces or earning income through social media platforms, it's important to understand when a hobby or side activity becomes a business for tax purposes.

If you're carrying on a business, you will need to:

🔴 report your income
🔴 keep records
🔴 obtain an ABN
🔴 and, in some cases, register for GST.

Income isn't limited to cash payments. Gifts, products, services and other perks or benefits you receive as part of your activities may also have tax implications.

Source and credit: ATO.gov.aud

03/10/2026

you’re visiting clients, travelling between work sites or delivering goods, using a vehicle for business can result in expenses you may be able to claim at tax time.

Before lodging your tax return, take some time to check which motor vehicle expenses you may be able to claim. You can generally claim the business portion of motor vehicle expenses you incur while running your business, if you have the right records to support your claim.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim motor vehicle expenses such as:

✔ fuel and oil
✔ electricity for charging an electric vehicle
✔ insurance
✔registration
✔ lease payments
✔ interest on a motor vehicle loan
✔ repairs and servicing
✔ depreciation of your vehicle.

When claiming motor vehicle expenses, remember that you can only deduct the business-related portion of your costs. If you use your vehicle for both business and private purposes, you'll need to exclude private travel from your claim. Private travel may include activities such as school drop-offs, shopping trips and other personal errands.

➡Records you need to keep

The records you need to keep depends on how you calculate your claim. Generally, you should keep tax invoices, receipts, registration papers, loan or lease documents, and records showing how you worked out your deduction. You need to keep these records for 5 years. They should also be written in English, or easily converted to English.

Keeping a logbook can help you work out your business-use percentage and support your claim. In it, you can record your business motor vehicle use as you go. This can make it easier to calculate your deduction at tax time.

Source and credit: ATO.gov.au

02/10/2026

This Labour Day, we recognise the people whose hard work, dedication and contribution help our communities thrive.

From local businesses and essential services to the many individuals working behind the scenes every day, Labour Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution people make to our workplaces, families and communities.

The Elevare Accountants office will be closed for the Labour Day public holiday on Monday, 5 October, and will reopen at 8.30 am on Tuesday, 6 October.

Wishing our clients, colleagues and wider community a safe and enjoyable long weekend.

Supporting flourishing lives and flourishing communities.

27/09/2026

At Elevare Accountants, we take the time to understand the bigger picture — whether you’re growing a business, planning for the future, managing your super, or simply looking for greater clarity around your finances.

Because strong financial foundations give you the confidence to focus on what matters most.

Elevare Accountants
Chartered Accountants | Business Advisors

Supporting the financial foundations of life.

Mullumbimby | Northern Rivers
elevareca.com.au
(02) 6684 2502

27/09/2026

25/09/2026

Payday Super changes when super must be paid, not who is eligible to receive it. This includes independent contractors.

If your business engages independent contractors, now is a good time to check your arrangements.

You’ll generally need to pay super where you’re paying an independent contractor, mainly for their labour, personal effort, skills or time. This can apply even if they:

✔ have an ABN
✔ invoice you for their work
✔ are described as a contractor in a written agreement.

Where an independent contractor is entitled to super, the contribution must:

✔ be paid for each payday
✔ reach their super fund within 7 business days after payday.

It’s not mandatory to report payments made to independent contractors through Single Touch Payroll (STP). However, if you choose to voluntarily report these in STP, you'll need to meet the STP reporting requirements, including reporting qualifying earnings and super liability.

Source and credit: ATO.gov.au

20/09/2026

A fresh week. A chance to look at the bigger picture.

Running a business can mean spending so much time working in the business that it’s easy to lose sight of where it’s heading.

As a new week begins, it can be worth taking a moment to check in:

• How are your numbers looking?
• Is cash flow where you expected it to be?
• What needs your attention this week?
• And are you still moving towards your bigger business goals?

A little planning now can make a big difference later.

At Elevare, we believe accounting is about more than looking backwards at the numbers. It’s about helping you understand where you are today, so you can make informed decisions about what comes next.

Here’s to a productive week ahead.

Mullumbimby | Northern Rivers
Elevare Accountants
Supporting the financial foundations of life.