Do The Books

16/10/2026

15/10/2026

Case study: Perth restaurant group hit with 2.8 million bill for hidden cash sales

Rita and Dan operate a chain of fast-food restaurants across Perth. Although each business had its own ABN, they shared directors, employees, and financial arrangements.

The ATO audited the group and found they had failed to:
* Report significant cash sales
* Pay staff through payroll systems, instead paying them in cash
* Withhold and remit PAYG withholding amounts
* Pay workers super guarantee entitlements
* Maintain adequate employee payroll records.

As a result, the businesses were issued with liabilities of more than $2.8 million for income tax, GST and super guarantee obligations as well as over $1 million in penalties and interest. The penalties and interest related to making false or misleading statements and failing to meet their obligations

Despite providing the directors multiple opportunities to address the group's growing tax debts, they failed to take appropriate action. Instead, the ATO commenced recovery action, including issuing garnishee notices on bank accounts and merchant facilities to recover the outstanding amounts. These actions reinforced the serious consequences of failing to meet tax and super obligations.

14/10/2026

SOLE TRADERS — HAVE YOU LODGED YOUR TAX RETURN YET?

October has arrived, which means one important date is getting closer…

If you’re a sole trader lodging your own tax return, your deadline is 31 October 2026.

And yes — even if your business made a loss, you still need to lodge a tax return.

Before you hit that “submit” button, make sure you’ve:
* Included all your business income
* Claimed the business deductions you’re entitled to
* Correctly split expenses that are partly business and partly private
* Got the records and receipts to back up your claims
* Checked any pre-filled information carefully — don’t assume the ATO has everything!

Contractors & sole traders: If you’re covered by the Taxable Payments Reporting System, some TPAR information may now be pre-filled in your tax return. Still check it carefully and add anything that’s missing.

And here’s the important bit…

If you think you’re going to need more time, don’t leave it until 31 October to do something about it.

Engaging a registered tax agent before 31 October may give you access to extended lodgment arrangements.

And if you're sitting there thinking…

“I really should have sorted this weeks ago…”

Yep. This is your sign.

Get your paperwork together, talk to your tax agent, and get it sorted before October turns into November.

📌 31 OCTOBER 2026 — PUT IT IN THE DIARY!

13/10/2026

Changes to credit card payments

After 30 November 2026, taxpayers will no longer be able to use a credit card to make payments to the ATO.

Other payment methods will remain available. This follows broader changes to credit card payment fees in Australia. You can read more about this change in the ATO's recent media release.

If you have a payment plan linked to a credit card, you must change to another payment method. Payments after 30 November 2026 will be unsuccessful, and the status of your payment plan may move into arrears or default. The ATO will write to you if you need to change your payment method.

08/10/2026

PAYROLL CHECK — HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR SETTINGS LATELY?

If you have employees, October is a good time to make sure everything is still behaving itself.

Have you checked:
* ️ Award rates?
* ️ Employee classifications?
* ️ Leave balances?
* ️ Tax withholding?
* ️ STP reporting?
* ️ Super calculations?
* ️ Payday Super settings?
* ️ Employee details?

Payroll isn't a “set it and forget it” job.

Especially with payroll and super rules changing.

A five-minute check now could save you a much bigger headache later.

And if payroll makes your head hurt…

I'll bring the headache tablets.

07/10/2026

OCTOBER RECEIPT RESCUE!

Confession time…

Where are your receipts?
* In your inbox?
* On your phone?
* In the glovebox?
* At the bottom of your handbag?
* Under a coffee cup?

Or have they simply entered the witness protection program?

October is the perfect time for a little receipt clean-up.

Make sure your business expenses are:
* Recorded
* Categorised
* Matched to your bank transactions
* Supported by the right documentation

Because trying to reconstruct 12 months of expenses at tax time is nobody's idea of fun.

Future You will thank you.

And so will your bookkeeper.

06/10/2026

YOUR BUSINESS CAN BE PROFITABLE & STILL RUN OUT OF CASH!

Yep. It's one of those annoying business truths.

You can have:
* Sales
* Invoices
* Profit on paper

…and still have:

$4.27 in the bank.

Because your customers haven't paid you yet!

October is a great time to check:
* ️ Who owes you money?
* ️ How old are those invoices?
* ️ Are you following up overdue accounts?
* ️ Are your payment terms working?
* ️ Do you actually know when money is coming in?

Cash flow is the oxygen of a small business.

Don't wait until the bank account starts coughing.

Need help getting your books and debtor reports under control?
Give me a shout.