Practical answers on business tax returns, accountant costs and staying on the right side of the ATO. Written for Australian small business owners, in plain English.
No law requires a company to have an accountant. What you take on if you lodge it yourself: SBR software, a 28 February deadline, and ASIC obligations.
Obligations & datesA BAS reports GST, PAYG withholding and instalments to the ATO. Who has to lodge one, when it is due, and why most small businesses fill in three boxes.
Costs & pricingWhat an accountant costs in Australia in 2026, priced by job rather than by hour: returns, BAS, bookkeeping and advice, plus what registration buys you.
Costs & pricingWhat a sole trader accountant costs in Australia in 2026: real fixed-fee ranges, why published quotes vary so wildly, and when hiring one is worth it.
Costs & pricingA cheap online tax return is fine if a registered tax agent does it. How to check the TPB register, the myGov red flag, and what registration protects.
Obligations & datesYour company stopped trading. It still has to lodge a return and pay ASIC $342 a year. What you owe, and when deregistering is the cheaper answer.
Obligations & dates31 October 2026 falls on a Saturday, so self-lodged returns are due 2 November. How the tax agent extension to 15 May works, and who does not get it.
StructuresSole trader, partnership, company or trust: who pays the tax, at what rate, what each costs to run a year, and what the announced Budget measures change.
Obligations & datesYears of unlodged tax returns in Australia: what the ATO actually does, what the late lodgement penalty costs, and how to catch up before 31 October 2026.
Costs & pricingChanging accountants in Australia is easier than you think. The steps, the ATO agent nomination and who is exempt, and what your old accountant cannot do.
Obligations & datesThe ATO warns you before it fines you. What really happens if you do not lodge a tax return in Australia, the penalty, and when you are not liable.
StructuresHow a family trust is taxed in Australia: present entitlement, the rate each beneficiary pays, the 30 June deadline, and the proposed 30% minimum tax.
Costs & pricingWhat a trust tax return costs in Australia in 2026, what the fee includes, what pushes it up, and the real annual cost of running a family trust.
StructuresWhat a bucket company is, how it caps trust income at the company tax rate, the Division 7A catch, and what the proposed 30% trust minimum tax would do.
Costs & pricingWhat a company (Pty Ltd) tax return costs in Australia in 2026, from fixed-fee online services to suburban firms, and what drives the price.
Costs & pricingHourly billing made sense when accountants did the data entry. For most small businesses in 2026, fixed fees are fairer, cheaper and far less stressful. Here is why, and when hourly still wins.
Costs & pricingWhat Australian businesses actually pay for a tax return in 2026: typical price ranges by structure, what drives the cost up, and how to pay less without cutting corners.
Fixed-fee returns prepared by an experienced accountant, typically within 5 business days.