NEWS
Phasing out cheques
The Government has announced a transition plan to phase out the use of cheques. Under the plan, cheques will stop being issued by 30 June …
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CountPro is now able to assist with your financial planning needs
When it comes to individual wealth creation, having the support and guidance of a trusted financial advisor can make a big difference. We are ...
Announcements
Round-up of the CountPro Choral Competition from the 2024 Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod
CountPro was very proud to partner with the Royal South Street Society to deliver the Choral Competition at the 2024 Ballarat Eisteddfod, extending our long-term ...
Announcements
Team Profile – Kim Barker
We recently caught up with our Ballarat Client Service Officer, Kim Barker, and asked her the tough questions… When did you join the team ...
Accounting
01 Succession: the series
Ok, not that Succession series. Each month we’ll bring you a new perspective on transferring property. Be it estate planning, managing an inheritance, or the various forms ...
Superannuation
Payday super: the details
‘Payday super’ will overhaul the way in which superannuation guarantee is administered. We look at the first details and the impending obligations on employers. ...
Accounting
Is the RBA to blame? The economic state of play
The politicians have weighed in on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s economic policy and their reticence to reduce interest rates in the face of community ...
Business Investment
Property and ‘lifestyle’ assets in the spotlight
Own an investment property or an expensive lifestyle asset like a boat or aircraft? The ATO are looking closely at these assets to see if ...
Accounting
It wasn’t me: the tax fraud scam
You login to your myGov account to find that your activity statements for the last 12 months have been amended and GST credits of $100k ...
Accounting
The rise in business bankruptcy
ASIC’s annual insolvency data shows corporate business failure is up 39% compared to last financial year. The industries with the highest representation were construction, accommodation ...
Accounting
The changes to how tax practitioners work with clients
The Government has amended the legislation guiding registered tax practitioners to include compulsory reporting of material uncorrected errors to the Tax Commissioner. The Government ...
Accounting
Divorce, you, and your business
Breaking up is hard to do. Beyond the emotional and financial turmoil divorce creates, there are a number of issues that need to be resolved. ...
Accounting
What’s changing on 1 July 2024?
Here’s a brief summary of the key changes coming into effect on 1 July 2024: Tax cuts reduce personal income tax rates and change the ...
Accounting
ATO fires warning shot on trust distributions
The ATO has warned that it is looking closely at how trusts distribute income and to who. The way in which trusts distribute income ...
Accounting
The Essential 30 June Guide
The end of the financial year is fast approaching. We outline the areas at risk of increased ATO scrutiny and the opportunities to maximise your ...
Superannuation
Warning on SMSF asset valuations
The ATO has issued a warning to trustees of SMSFs about sloppy valuation practices. ATO data analysis has revealed that over 16,500 self managed ...
Accounting
The assault on professional services
The ATO has signalled that it is willing to pursue professional services firms who divert profits to avoid tax. Two new cases before the ...
Business
How much is my business worth?
For many small business owners, their business is their largest asset and for many, one that is expected to help fund their retirement. But what ...
Budget
Budget 2024-2025
The 2024-25 Federal Budget is the third for the Albanese Government and consistent with previous years, the primary themes are expected to be the cost ...
Accounting
Revised stage 3 tax cuts confirmed for 1 July
The revised stage 3 tax cuts have passed Parliament and will come into effect on 1 July 2024. Before the new tax rates come ...
Accounting
Getting back what you put in: Loans to get a business started
It’s not uncommon for business owners to pour their money into a business to get it up and running and to sustain it until it ...
Accounting
How to take advantage of the 1 July super cap increase
From 1 July 2024, the amount you can contribute to super will increase. We show you how to take advantage of the change. The ...
Accounting
The ATO Debt Dilemma
Late last year, thousands of taxpayers and their agents were advised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that they had an outstanding historical tax debt. ...
Accounting
The Fringe Benefits Tax traps
The Fringe Benefits Tax year (FBT) ends on 31 March. We explore the problem areas likely to attract the ATO’s attention. Electric vehicles causing ...
Accounting
Non-charitable not-for-profits self-review return guide
As part of the 2021-22 federal budget, the Australian Government announced reforms to the administration of not-for-profit (NFP) entities that self-assess as income tax exempt. ...
Accounting
The Redesigned Stage 3 Personal Income Tax Cuts
The personal income tax cuts legislated to commence on 1 July 2024 will be realigned and redistributed under a proposal released by the Federal Government. ...
Accounting
New regulations for Incorporated Associations
New regulations for incorporated associations in Victoria came into effect on 18 November 2023. These new regulations include updates to the model rules which some ...
Accounting
Self-education: What can you claim?
The Australian Taxation Office have released a new draft ruling on self-education expenses. We revisit the deductibility of self-education expenses and what you can and ...
Accounting
30% tax on super earnings above $3m
Treasury has released draft legislation to enact the Government’s plan to increase the tax rate on earnings on superannuation balances above $3m from 15% to ...
Accounting
The ‘Airbnb’ Tax
Property investors that choose to utilise their property for short-term stays (or leave it vacant) are firmly in the sights of the regulators. The ...
Accounting
$20k deduction for ‘electrifying’ your business
Electricity is the new black. Gas and other fossil fuels are out. A new, limited incentive nudges business towards energy efficiency. We show you how ...
Accounting
Not-for-profits – enhancing the transparency of income tax exemptions
The ATO has published details of reforms to the administration of not-for-profit (NFP) entities that self-assess as income tax exempt. Information from the ATO website ...
Announcements
CountPro Team Profile – Michael Hutton
Join us as we catch up with Auditor, and sports enthusiast, Michael Hutton… When did you join the team at CountPro? I started on ...
Announcements
Business Awards Success
The CountPro team was thrilled to take out two awards at the recently held 2023 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards. In their 35th ...
Accounting
Thinking of subdividing? The tax implications and pitfalls of small-scale subdivisions
You’ve got a block of land that’s perfect for a subdivision. The details have all been worked out with Council, the builders, and the bank. ...
Accounting
Succession: What does it take to hand your business to the next generation?
What is the end game for your business? Succession is not just a topic for a TV series or billionaire families, it’s about successfully transitioning ...
Accounting
Why is my tax refund so small?
The tax refund many Australians expect has dramatically reduced. We show you why. There is a psychology to tax refunds that successive Governments have ...
Announcements
CountPro TV stars!
Our team will be on Win TV as part of the 2023 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards!
Announcements
CountPro Team Profile – Kiri Fry
Last week we caught up with Administration Manager, Kiri fry, to ask the tough questions… When did you join the team at CountPro? Back ...
Accounting
What changed on 1 July 2023
A summary of the important changes that came into effect on 1 July 2023. Employers & business Superannuation guarantee increases to 11% from 10.5% ...
Accounting
The 120% technology and skills ‘boost’ deduction
The 120% skills and training, and technology costs deduction for small and medium business have passed Parliament. We’ll show you how to take maximise your ...
Announcements
2023 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards
The team at CountPro are excited and proud to have been selected as finalists in the following categories of the 2023 Federation University Commerce Ballarat ...
Accounting
Increase to the super guarantee rate
Although not announced as part of this year’s Federal Budget, it’s important for employers to note that the superannuation guarantee (SG) rate will increase from ...
Investment
ATO Rental Property Blitz
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has launched a full-on assault on rental property owners who incorrectly report income and expenses. The ATO’s assessment, based ...
Announcements
$20k Small Business Energy Incentive
In a pre-Budget announcement, the Government committed to a Small Business Energy Incentive Scheme that offers a bonus tax deduction of up to $20,000. ...
Budget
Budget 2023-2024 round up
The ‘ace in the hole’ of the 2023-24 Federal Budget was the $4.2bn surplus; the first in 15 years. The surplus was driven by a ...
Accounting
Budget 2023-24
The 2023-24 Federal Budget will be released on Tuesday, 9 May 2023. Look out for our update the next day on the important issues to ...
Accounting
Selling a business? The pros and cons of earn-out clauses
Earn-out clauses for the sale of a business are increasingly common. We look at the positives and negatives that every business owner should consider. ...
Accounting
How Does Tax Apply to Electric Cars?
Just in time for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year that started on 1 April, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released new details on ...
Announcements
Introducing Multi-Factor Authentication
The CountPro team take cyber-security very seriously are excited to announce the introduction of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as an enhancement to our existing document security ...
Superannuation
1 July 2023 Super Balance Increase but no Change for Contributions
The general transfer balance cap (TBC) – the amount of money you can potentially hold in a tax-free retirement account, will increase by $200,000 on ...
- All
- Accounting
- Administration Manager
- All locations
- Announcements
- Bacchus Marsh
- Ballarat
- Budget
- Business
- Business Investment
- Customer Service Officer
- Directors
- Finance
- Home Loans
- Investment
- Managers
- Office Manager
- Professional Team
- Role
- Security
- Senior Managers
- Share Broking
- Small Business
- Superannuation
- Support Team
- Taxation
- Uncategorised
- Warrnambool
- All
- Accounting
- Administration Manager
- All locations
- Announcements
- Bacchus Marsh
- Ballarat
- Budget
- Business
- Business Investment
- Customer Service Officer
- Directors
- Finance
- Home Loans
- Investment
- Managers
- Office Manager
- Professional Team
- Role
- Security
- Senior Managers
- Share Broking
- Small Business
- Superannuation
- Support Team
- Taxation
- Uncategorised
- Warrnambool
Announcements
Launching CountPro
PPT Professional and PPT Audit, led by Directors Phillip Brown and Jason Hargreaves, have rebranded to CountPro effective 1 April 2021. While the PPT Professional ...
Announcements
CountPro Interview
Our Directors, Jason Hargreaves and Phil Brown, were interviewed by Brett Macdonald on 3BA on April 21st, 2021. If you missed the interview, you can ...
Announcements
CountPro Radio Advertisement
As part of our recent rebranding, CountPro has a brand new radio advertisement. You may have already heard it on Ballarat’s 3BA. If not, you ...
Budget
2021-22 Federal Budget
The 2021-22 Federal Budget, released on Tuesday evening, has been described as the “Balancing Act Budget” by some commentators due to the numerous demands that ...
Business
Commerce Ballarat Business Day Out
CountPro was proud to sponsor Commerce Ballarat’s 2021 Business Day Out, held at the RACV Forest Resort on 26 May 2021. The Business Day Out ...
Announcements
Circuit Breaker Business Support Package
The Victorian Government has launched the $250 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders, under the circuit breaker ...
Budget
2021-22 Victorian State Budget: Road to Recovery
Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, delivered the Victorian State Budget on 20 May 2021, describing his budget as a “road to recovery” after multiple COVID-19 lockdowns ...
Announcements
Updated Victorian Circuit Breaker Business Support Package
Update 2 June 2021 Building on the $250.7 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package announced Sunday 30 May, a new allocation of up to $209.3 ...
Accounting
What changes on 1 July 2021?
A summary of the key 1 July 2021 changes and their implications. Super guarantee rate increase to 10% On 1 July 2021, the Superannuation Guarantee ...
Accounting
Work from home expenses under scrutiny & the perils of browsing Facebook
If you worked from home during lockdown and spent money on work related items that were not reimbursed by your business, you might be able ...
Accounting
Am I taxed on an insurance payout?
Australia has had its fair share of disasters over the last few years – drought, bushfires and floods – that have ramped up the volume ...
Announcements
CountPro Team Profile – William Ko
To wrap up the 2021 Financial Year, we caught up with William Ko, our Audit Manager, for a quick Q&A. When did you join the ...
Announcements
Ballarat Council Community and Business Support Package
Ballarat based community groups and businesses can apply for a one-off support payment after Ballarat City Council endorsed a $1 million Community and Business Support ...
Business
What now? Unwinding the Pandemic
Australia’s two largest states and the ACT are in lockdown as the Delta strain of COVID-19 takes its toll while others are standing firm on ...
Accounting
Divorce, Superannuation and the Gender Divide
New legislation will help prevent superannuation assets from being hidden during divorce proceedings. From 1 April 2022, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be able ...
Business
Mental Health Support for Business Owners
Running a business can be an isolating experience. And, with COVID-19 lockdowns and disruptions to trade, the pressure can be intense. NewAccess for Small Business ...
Announcements
CountPro Team Profile – Sally McEldrew
It’s a very busy time of year for us right now, but we did manage to sneak a few minutes with Accountant, Sally McEldrew, to ...
Superannuation
New stapled superannuation – employer obligations for new staff
Currently, when an employer hires a new staff member, they must provide the new employee with a Choice of Fund form (as well as the ...
Announcements
The New Lifetime Director IDs
Directors will be required to register for a unique identification number that they will keep for life, much like a tax file number under a ...
Superannuation
What happens to your superannuation when you die?
Superannuation is not like other assets as it is held in trust by the trustee of the superannuation fund. When you die, it does not ...
Announcements
CountPro Team Profile – Cherilyn Fuhlbohm
With Christmas fast approaching, we caught up with our Client Service Officer, Cherilyn Fuhlbohm. When did you join the team at CountPro? I joined ...
Accounting
PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests to be tax deductible, FBT free
The Treasurer has announced that PCR and rapid antigen tests (RAT) will be tax deductible for individuals and exempt from fringe benefits tax (FBT) for ...
Accounting
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments rules change
The rules for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, the payment accessible to those who have lost work because they have had to self-isolate with COVID-19, ...
Budget
Federal Budget 2022-23
The 2022-23 Budget is safe and ballot box friendly with a focus on jobs, cost of living, home ownership, and health. Key initiatives include: ...
Announcements
Our new office!
And we’re in! We are now operating from our new office at 180 Eleanor Drive, Lucas. We’re so lucky to have such a modern and ...
Accounting
Fringe Benefits Tax 2022
The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year ended on 31 March and for those providing benefits to employees it is now time to prepare the FBT ...
Business
Ballarat Business Day Out
CountPro are once again very proud to be sponsoring the Commerce Ballarat Business Day Out, which is to be held on Wednesday May 25 at ...
Accounting
What’s changing on 1 July 2022?
A series of reforms and changes will commence on 1 July 2022. Here’s what is coming up: For business Superannuation guarantee increase to ...
Business
ATO ramps up heat on directors
Throughout March, the ATO sent letters to directors who are potentially in breach of their obligations to ensure that the company they represent has met ...
Accounting
Tax & the family home
Everyone knows you don’t pay tax on your family home when you sell it…right? We take a closer look at the main residence exemption that ...
Announcements
CountPro Team Profile – Ashley Richardson
We recently caught up with our newly appointed Audit Manager, Ashley Richardson… When did you join the team at CountPro? I joined CountPro as ...
Announcements
FBT-free Electric Cars
New legislation will make zero or low emission vehicles FBT-free. We explore who can access the concession and how Electric vehicles (EV) represent just ...
Business
Can I claim my crypto losses?
The ATO has released updated information on claiming cryptocurrency losses and gains in your tax return. The first point to understand is that gains ...
Accounting
How high will interest rates go?
The RBA lifted the cash rate to 2.35% on 6 September 2022, marking a 7 year high. The increase comes a few weeks after Reserve ...
Business
120% deduction for skills training and technology costs
The Government has reinvigorated the 120% skills training and technology costs deduction for small and medium business. An election ago, the 2022-23 Budget proposed a ...
Accounting
How to sell your business
We’re often asked the best way to sell a business. There are two key components at play in the sale of a business: structuring ...
Announcements
Christmas holidays 2022
The end of 2022 is fast approaching. It’s been a big year for us, with a couple of highlights being the move to our fantastic ...
Announcements
Can you prevent a hack?
In the wake of the Optus data leak, legislation before Parliament will lift the maximum fine for serious or repeated breaches of the Privacy Act ...
Announcements
Superannuation at CountPro
CountPro is pleased to announce that we have employed a well regarded SMSF specialist to head up our self-managed superannuation fund division. Tiarna Waight will ...
Accounting
30 November Director ID deadline
The deadline for existing directors of Australian companies to obtain a Director Identification Number is 30 November 2022. All directors of a company, registered ...
Budget
How high will interest rates go? Part 2
Low interest rates have been a mainstay since the global financial crisis of 2008. When the pandemic hit, Governments pushed stimulus measures through the economy ...
Announcements
CountPro team profile – Daryl Tauschke
This week we catch up with Ballarat born and bred, Senior Accountant, Daryl Tauschke for a quick chat. When did you join CountPro? I ...
Finance
Is “downsizing” worth it?
From 1 January 2023, those 55 and over can make a ‘downsizer’ contribution to superannuation. Downsizer contributions are an excellent way to get money into ...
Announcements
ATO announces changes to working from home deductions
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has refreshed the way that taxpayers claim deductions for costs incurred when working from home. The changes better reflect contemporary ...
Superannuation
1 July 2023 Super Balance Increase but no Change for Contributions
The general transfer balance cap (TBC) – the amount of money you can potentially hold in a tax-free retirement account, will increase by $200,000 on ...
Announcements
Introducing Multi-Factor Authentication
The CountPro team take cyber-security very seriously are excited to announce the introduction of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as an enhancement to our existing document security ...
Accounting
How Does Tax Apply to Electric Cars?
Just in time for the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year that started on 1 April, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released new details on ...
Accounting
Selling a business? The pros and cons of earn-out clauses
Earn-out clauses for the sale of a business are increasingly common. We look at the positives and negatives that every business owner should consider. ...
Accounting
Budget 2023-24
The 2023-24 Federal Budget will be released on Tuesday, 9 May 2023. Look out for our update the next day on the important issues to ...
Budget
Budget 2023-2024 round up
The ‘ace in the hole’ of the 2023-24 Federal Budget was the $4.2bn surplus; the first in 15 years. The surplus was driven by a ...