Tax Time
No free holiday as ATO targets rentals and work deductions
Nassim Khadem As the end of the financial year approaches, two of the main ATO targets will be illegitimate deductions for rental property and people double-dipping on work expenses.
Half a dozen ways into audit hell
Nassim Khadem Got a rental property that you let your family and friends use? Fan of claiming work train rides on your tax return? Well the Australian Tax Office is going to be taking an extra close look at you this year.
JB Hi-Fi sales spike on small biz tax breaks
Simon Evans The energetic types manning the cash registers at electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi, haven't had much time to think about the big-picture trends such as the 'internet of things' in the past few weeks.
Tax break transforms this office
Alexandra Cain Meet the business owners who have jumped at the chance to take advantage of tax incentives for smaller businesses announced in this year's federal budget.
Business lending lifts to nine-month high
Clancy Yeates New lending to business has risen to a nine month high, adding to signs that the recovery in corporate credit growth is gaining momentum.
The entrepreneurs who don't care for a $20,000 business break
Rose Powell The federal government may have pitched the budget as one to boost new businesses, but the start-up community remains sceptical.
Talking to the professionals
Alexandra Cain In the aftermath of the federal budget, what advice are small businesses seeking from their accountants to make the most of proposed changes to tax rules?
The nasty CGT trap on business sales
Adam Courtenay There's an unfair rule that means the ATO can tax you on money you've never even made.
Wesfarmers waiting for sustained boost in confidence
Sue Mitchell Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder welcomed a bounce in consumer sentiment after the budget but says there would have to a sustained improvement in spending before Australia's largest private-sector employer ramped up expansion plans.
Everything you need to know about the Australian economy
Ross Gittins In an extract from his new book, Ross Gittins explains everything you need to know about the Australian economy – and admits to his five worst predictions.
What do 'Tony's tradies' really think?
Louis White Builders, plumbers and electricians are supposed to be some of the main beneficiaries of this year's budget. Do they care?
Small business myths work budget miracles
Michael Pascoe The budget seems to have miraculously achieved what it set out to do: restore the political fortunes of the Prime Minister and Treasurer
The $20,000 trap
Max Newnham What's the one thing that could mean a business expense doesn't qualify for the new tax depreciation rules?
Small business cash makes big gain with voters
Mark Kenny The federal government's small business measures have gone over extremely well with voters according to the Fairfax-Ipsos poll which found 81 per cent back the move to give a 100 per cent instant asset write off on all new equipment purchases below $20,000, and the abolition of fringe benefits tax on additional mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
CBA tips small-business tax breaks to lift borrowing
Clancy Yeates Banks are eyeing a cut from the government's $5.5 billion in tax perks for small-business owners.
Buying a nifty home TV and claiming it for your business? The ATO will come after you
Nassim Khadem The taxman has vowed to keep a close eye on claims made in the wake of Treasurer Joe Hockey's small business bonanza, seeking to prevent rorts of the $20,000 unlimited items tax deduction on business-related purchases flagged in the federal budget.
The government's something special may not save Australia
Gareth Hutchens The Abbott government knew it had something special on its hands.
Tradies cautioned over budget bling splurge
Madeleine Heffernan Small business owners are being urged to consider the eligibility of their planned post-budget purchases.
Shorten offers an olive branch over company tax for small business
Mark Kenny Bill Shorten has proposed working with the Abbott government to dramatically reduce the rate of company tax for small businesses, dropping it from its current rate of 30 cents in the dollar to the 28.5 proposed by the government and then down to 25 cents after that.
Small business gets $5b to 'have a go'
Joanna Mather and Phillip Coorey Small businesses will be able to claim any asset under $20,000 in their tax return and get a credit of up to $1,000, under a $5.5 billion package to help entrepreneurs 'have a go'.
Economy
Hockey's growth message is spend, spend, spend
Mark Kenny A reinvigorated Joe Hockey has again implored businesses and consumers to flash their credit cards in a bid to jump-start stubbornly flatlining consumer and business confidence, arguing his everyone-is-a-winner budget has set the conditions for optimism and growth.
