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When most business owners hear the words “tax planning,” their minds immediately jump to June 30. But in reality, effective tax planning isn’t something to dust off once a year. For Australian SMEs, it’s a year-round strategy that can deliver lasting benefits to cash flow, compliance, and growth.
Here’s why smart tax planning should be embedded into your business operations, not just your EOFY checklist.
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any small-to-medium enterprise. By planning ahead, businesses can structure expenses and income in ways that smooth out cash flow peaks and troughs. For example:
• Strategic timing of invoices and payments can help you better manage working capital.
• Regularly reviewing PAYG instalments ensures you’re not overpaying (or underpaying) tax during the year.
• Claiming eligible deductions early can ease cash flow pressure.
Proactive planning means fewer surprises and more certainty when it comes to meeting your obligations.
Australia’s tax system offers a range of deductions and incentives that SMEs can leverage, but many go unclaimed simply because business owners don’t plan ahead. Some examples include:
• Instant asset write-offs or temporary full expensing on eligible equipment purchases.
• Home office and technology expenses, especially relevant for hybrid or remote work setups.
• Industry-specific deductions, such as tools for trades or professional development for consultants.
Staying across these opportunities all year round helps ensure nothing is left on the table.
ATO scrutiny on SMEs has increased in recent years, with a strong focus on accurate record-keeping, GST compliance, and correct claims. Tax planning isn’t just about reducing liability — it’s also about staying on the right side of compliance.
Working with a proactive advisor helps you:
• Keep records organised.
• Meet all lodgement deadlines.
• Avoid penalties or interest from misreporting.
This peace of mind allows you to focus on running your business, not worrying about unexpected letters from the ATO.
Good tax planning is really good business planning. Structuring your tax position correctly can support your long-term goals, whether that’s reinvesting profits into growth, securing finance, or planning an eventual business exit.
For instance, an advisor can help you:
• Structure your business (company, trust, partnership) to balance tax efficiency with liability protection.
• Plan for capital gains tax when selling assets.
• Access R&D tax incentives to fuel innovation.
This strategic lens turns tax from a cost into an enabler of sustainable growth.
When you have clarity over your tax obligations and opportunities, it’s easier to make confident decisions. Whether it’s hiring new staff, investing in new equipment, or expanding into new markets, ongoing tax planning gives you the numbers you need to move forward with certainty.
Our approach (that should also be yours), is that tax planning isn’t just a once-a-year exercise — it’s a year-round strategy that underpins cash flow, compliance, and growth. By working with the Attune team throughout the year as part of your tax processess, allows you to unlock deductions, reduce risk, and make better business decisions with confidence.
We’re here to help you take control of your tax position and plan for success all year round, so let’s talk about what we can do for you … Call us on 1300 866 113 or get in touch here to speak with an expert.
Australia isn’t just one of the best places in the world to live, it’s also an exceptional place to launch and grow a business. Whether you’re a sole trader, a startup founder, or running a scaling enterprise, the Australian business landscape offers unique advantages that help entrepreneurs thrive.
We work with plenty of growing entrepreneurial businesses and because of that, have seen first hand how being in Australia can be of benefit. So, we thought we’d put together seven reasons why building a business in Australia is a smart move.
Australian entrepreneurs enjoy generous government support, from small business grants to industry-specific programs. Initiatives such as the Entrepreneurs’ Program and various state-based rebates provide valuable financial and advisory assistance to help businesses start, grow, and innovate.
Australia’s strong governance and consistently resilient economy create a fertile environment for long-term ventures. Even in uncertain global climates, the local market provides entrepreneurs with confidence to invest and grow.
With one of the highest internet penetration rates globally and a booming eCommerce scene, Australia is primed for digital-first businesses. This digital connectivity makes it easier than ever for entrepreneurs to reach, engage, and service customers.
Located close to Asia yet still aligned with Western markets, Australia enjoys a unique time-zone advantage. Businesses here can connect with clients and partners across multiple continents in the same working day, opening doors to global opportunities.
Australians are early adopters with a taste for new ideas. From technology to wellness to financial services, local consumers are quick to embrace innovation — making Australia an excellent testing ground for entrepreneurs bringing bold new solutions to market.
Compared to many countries, Australia offers streamlined business setup processes, straightforward GST systems, and company tax incentives. These structures particularly benefit small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) looking for efficient ways to start and scale.
No entrepreneur builds success alone. Partnering with the right accountant or business advisor helps ensure compliance, unlocks tax efficiencies, and supports smarter financial decision-making, so you can focus on running and growing your business.
Final Word
Being an entrepreneur is never without its challenges, but in Australia, the support and opportunities are hard to beat. With the right idea, mindset, and professional advice, your business journey can thrive here. And support with your tax and strategic approach? You can get that with Attune Advisory.
If you’re thinking of starting or scaling your business, Attune Advisory is here to help. Let’s talk about what we can do for you … Call us on 1300 866 113 or get in touch here to speak with an expert.
Running a restaurant is tough work — long hours, tight margins, and constant surprises. But tax time doesn’t have to be one of them. Here are our top tax tips tailored for Australian hospitality and food business owners.
Restaurants have unique tax deductions, and knowing what qualifies is critical. Common claimable items include:
• Food and beverage inventory (cost of goods sold)
• Cleaning and kitchen supplies
• Uniforms and laundry costs (if branded or required)
• Staff training and courses
• POS systems and subscriptions (e.g. Lightspeed, Xero)
• Marketing and design costs (menu updates, signage, digital ads)
These smaller deductions add up quickly, so it pays to track them carefully. Part of what we do for clients at tax time, is ensuring deductions are both compliant and create the best outcome for the business.
Need a new oven, fridge, or fit-out improvements? The instant asset write-off lets eligible businesses immediately deduct the cost of assets up to the current ATO threshold (we’d suggest you speak with the Attune team about this prior to purchasing, as there may be new considerations to include in the purchase). That means you can invest in your business while reducing your taxable income in the same year.
Payroll is one of the biggest compliance hot spots in hospitality. The ATO looks closely at:
• Superannuation contributions (must be paid on time, quarterly)
• PAYG withholding (must match wages and be lodged monthly or quarterly)
Falling behind here can trigger penalties quickly. Automating payroll and super processing, or outsourcing, can save both time and stress. If you’ve been in business a while, you may even benefit from a payroll auditing service to ensure everything you’re doing is as it should be. Speak with the Attune team and we can point you in the right direction for compliance-sake.
Receipts fade fast and no one wants to chase down paperwork during tax time or any other time for that matter. Use tools like Dext or Hubdoc to scan and store receipts digitally. That way, you’re always audit-ready and lodgement time is much smoother.
Restaurants experience natural peaks and slowdowns. Use this seasonality to your tax advantage:
• Make large purchases just before year-end to boost deductions
• Defer income (legally) during busy months if you’re on a cash basis
• Stay ahead of Q4 super obligations before the summer rush
Smart timing can make a big difference in managing cash flow and tax. The Attune team are strategic thinkers, so if you’d like to discuss what a strategy might look like for your business, get in touch and we’ll guide you through it.
Hospitality has its own tax quirks, from tipping rules to staff meals and fringe benefits. A specialist advisor here at Attune Advisory can help you:
• Choose the right structure (sole trader, company, or trust)
• Optimise cash flow and compliance
• Avoid common ATO audit triggers and much more
The right guidance means fewer surprises and more time to focus on what matters most: running a business people love to visit.
With planning, systems, and the right support, you can reduce costs, stay compliant, and focus on growing your restaurant without headaches at every tax lodgement.
So, if you need help with BAS, payroll, or tax planning, let’s talk. Attune Advisory works with restaurateurs and food businesses every day and we’d love to help yours. Get in touch via email here or give us a call on 1300 866 113 – you'll be glad you did.
If you’re a company director in Australia, your role carries more than just strategic weight, it carries legal responsibility. That responsibility now includes personal liability for unpaid company taxes like PAYG, GST and superannuation.
The ATO’s Director Penalty Regime has become a key enforcement tool and the risk is growing. As of 2025, we’re seeing more clients caught out by Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) due to late lodgements or underreported liabilities.
Understanding what triggers a DPN and how to act if one lands in your inbox, is essential for protecting your personal and financial position.
A Director Penalty Notice (DPN) is a formal notice issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to make a company director personally liable for certain unpaid company taxes. These typically include:
• PAYG withholding
• Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC)
• GST (from April 2020 onwards)
In essence, if a company fails to meet its tax obligations, the ATO can pursue directors individually to recover the debt, even if the business becomes insolvent.
There are two main types of DPNs and they carry very different consequences:
Lockdown DPN
• Issued when a company fails to lodge its BAS or Superannuation Guarantee Statement (SGS) within the required timeframe.
• If this happens, the director is automatically and personally liable for the debt.
• The only way to remit (remove) the penalty is to pay the debt in full even if the company is placed into administration or liquidation.
Non-Lockdown DPN
• Issued when the company has lodged its returns on time but hasn’t paid the tax owing.
• In this case, the director has 21 days from the date of the notice to take action:
o Pay the debt,
o Appoint an administrator,
o Begin winding up the company.
If none of these actions are taken within the 21-day window, the director becomes personally liable.
DPNs bypass the usual legal protections offered by a company structure. Directors may believe they’re shielded from personal liability but, DPNs change the game.
Once a DPN is issued, the ATO can:
• Garnish a director’s personal bank account or wages,
• Register a judgment debt against them,
• Begin legal proceedings for recovery.
This can have long-term effects on a director’s financial position, credit rating, and ability to serve on other boards.
As a director, it’s your responsibility to ensure the company meets its tax obligations even if you’re not involved in the day-to-day finances.
Here’s what we recommend:
Lodge on Time — Even If You Can’t Pay
Timely lodgement protects you from lockdown DPNs. If you can’t pay the full amount, work with your accountant or advisor to set up a payment plan, but don’t delay reporting.
Review Your Company’s Tax Position Regularly
Make tax compliance a regular agenda item. Review lodgements, upcoming obligations, and cash flow implications before they become problems.
Act Quickly on ATO Notices
If you receive a DPN, time is of the essence. You have just 21 days to take corrective action and ignoring the notice could leave you personally on the hook.
Understand Your Exposure, Even if You’ve Just Been Appointed
New directors can also become liable for historical debts if they don’t act within 30 days of their appointment. Always conduct due diligence when joining a company.
At Attune Advisory, we work closely with business owners to ensure compliance and minimise risk. Whether it’s keeping your lodgements up to date, forecasting liabilities, or helping navigate complex ATO communications, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you’ve received a DPN or are concerned about potential liability, don’t wait. Early advice can make all the difference.
Book a confidential consultation with our advisory team today.
We’ll help you take control, stay compliant, and protect your future.
So if you’d like advice on a DPN or your tax debt risk, give the team a call on 1300 866 113 or contact us here to start the conversation.
