The ATO's Top Tips for Running a Small Business.
October 1, 2024
The ATO's Top Tips for Running a Small Business
Australia’s small businesses are the power behind our economy. Small businesses (employing less than 20 people) added nearly $590 billion of value in 2022, making up around a third of all Australian gross domestic product (GDP) for the period.
But keeping on top of your financial management, accounting and tax planning can be a major challenge for some owners.
With this in mind, the ATO has set up a new advice portal for small business owners, giving you tips and advice on everything you need to know about your finances and business taxes. Strengthen Your Small Business
Essentials to strengthen your small business.
The ATO’s Essentials to Strengthen your Small Business portal is your first stop for business advice. There are helpful tips covering everything from having your first business idea, through to founding a startup, growing a business and even help on exiting the business.
From a tax perspective, there are several courses to help you keep your tax on track:
Starting a business – this course helps you set up your first business, with advice on common business structures and the registrations you need to run a small business.
Using your business money and assets – this course gives an overview on paying yourself, with advice on the different options and the records you must keep.
Record-keeping – advice on using technology to help your mandatory record-keeping, and on overview of the tax and super records you’ll be required to keep.
Claiming small business tax deductions – this course covers expenses you can deduct immediately, expenses you can deduct over time and expenses you can never deduct, as well as motor vehicle expense deductions.
Growing your small business – This course helps you plan the growth of your business, alongside other considerations like GST and capital gains tax (CGT).
Goods & Services Tax (GST) – an overview of who must register for GST, how to calculate GST on sales and purchases, as well as other requirements such as invoicing, record-keeping, and reporting GST to the ATO.
The ATO’s online resources are incredibly helpful when you’re starting out as a business owner. But if you need deeper advice on mandatory record-keeping and tax, come and speak to us.
We’ll be glad to take you through all elements of your tax requirements and record-keeping.
Medical income structures can be complex. Learn why doctors benefit from specialist accounting support to manage tax, compliance and reporting obligations.
Learn the superannuation preservation age rules in Australia for 2026. Understand when you may access super, key conditions of release and potential tax considerations.
Division 7A can trigger tax when private companies provide loans or payments to shareholders. Learn common triggers and how to review director loan balances early.
Leaving trust distribution planning until late June creates pressure. March allows time to review income projections and beneficiary tax positions.
ABN and ACN are often confused. Learn the key differences, when each applies, and why using the right number matters for compliance and contracts.
Payday Super starts 1 July 2026. Learn what’s changing, how it affects cash flow and payroll, and what businesses should do now to prepare.
Understand your ongoing ATO obligations, what applies to your business, and how awareness can reduce compliance stress year-round.
Ongoing SMSF compliance involves more than annual returns. Learn what trustees need to manage throughout the year and why consistency matters.
Unsure how the holiday period will impact your cash flow? A practical guide to reviewing expenses, income and obligations before the break.
Understand what counts as a business expense, avoid common mix-ups, and keep your bookkeeping and tax reporting simple and stress-free.
