Everyone wants to know how they can effectively, legally and legitimately minimise their tax bills for 30 June, 2011. We've put together a few little basic scenarios, that, if suitable you should consider implementing in the next month.
For businesses, remember, a few additional points:
- You are building an asset and most businesses are sold as a multiple of profit before income tax,
- Always reinvest in your business to boost the above and focus on the value add for the long term, not short term tax breaks (new assets, systems improvements etc. won't be a tax deduction straight away, but, should build your future profits).
- Never spend money for a tax deduction at most you get 30c for every $1 spent!
So without further ado, the tax lovers at Interactive have put together the following tax saving ideas:
Businesses
- Invoice on 1 July instead of 30 June, it will reduce your tax paid in this year, but, you pay the tax next year (it's simply a timing method).
- Employers can pay their June Super liability before 30 June to claim the tax deduction, super expenses are only claimed when paid.
- Accrue bonuses for your key staff before 30 June and claim a tax deduction. This must be paid out before the end of the financial year and you will not receive a tax deduction when it's actually paid,
- Prepay your deductible expenses.
- If running on a cash basis, remember, that you claim your deduction and get back GST credits when paid. So consider this before 30 June.
- If you're running on accrual basis, review and write off any bad debts. Aim to have no debtors over 30 days by June 30!
- Directors and Trustees need to look at their balance sheet and review their loan accounts. If you've overdrawn cash from the business, consider repaying this before 30 June to avoid interest being charged on the loan and compulsory dividends being paid (Div7A).
- Make sure you get all your receipts in order, so you can be kind to your accountant!
Individuals/SMSFs/Trusts
- Consider salary sacrificing your unneeded pay in June into your superannuation fund if you earn more than $80,000 before Super. (check your payslip for your year to date earnings and your credit card bill to make sure you can survive!)
- Take advantage of the Super Co-Contribution (yes it's still happening) if you earn <$60,000 from your take home pay and the government will match up to $1,000.
- Make sure you don't exceed your super contributions, but, you've put in the appropriate amount as it's the lowest taxed saving vessel for the future!
- Review your investments and any sales of assets during the year to take advantage of keeping your portfolio in check. Remember,
- losses and gains can offset each other,
- Losses can be carried forward indefinitely,
- When applying losses to capital gains, you lose half the benefit of the loss as it's applied before the 50% discount available on assets held >12 months that are sold for a gain.
- Remember that items for education are able to be rebated in your tax return, so, if the kids need something to take their learning abilities up to the next level, consider buying it before 30 June. (50% rebate for families eligible for Family Tax Benefit A).
- Make sure you get all your receipts in order, so you can be kind to your accountant!
Don't forget to Set some Financial Resolutions and Goals for the coming year, we've got some ideas & hints here.
Just a note, that the Flood Levy needs to be considered as per our budget blog. If you have any queries on the above, get in touch here!
