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Financial Fraud Through Coerced Directorships: A Hidden Form of Economic AbuseFinancial fraud perpetrated by abusive par...
26/05/2026

Financial Fraud Through Coerced Directorships: A Hidden Form of Economic Abuse

Financial fraud perpetrated by abusive partners and family members has emerged as a deeply damaging form of economic abuse - particularly when victims are appointed as company directors without their knowledge or consent.

How It Happens
An abusive partner may register their victim as a director using personal details, forged signatures, or by coercing them into signing paperwork without explanation. In some cases, the victim has no idea they've been listed as a director until official notices about debts or penalties arrive.

The Legal Consequences
Once registered, a director becomes legally responsible for the company's obligations - tax liabilities, unpaid wages, superannuation, and corporate debts. This includes Director Penalty Notices, which make directors personally liable for unpaid GST and PAYG withholding. For an unsuspecting victim, receiving a demand for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for activities they never authorised can be devastating.

The Broader Impact
Victims often face financial stress, litigation costs, damaged credit ratings, and in extreme cases, bankruptcy - outcomes that can persist long after the relationship ends. The emotional toll is equally profound, as individuals confront legal battles while processing the misuse of their identity.

This fraud also undermines corporate governance. When perpetrators exploit these systems, they erode trust and create loopholes that can be abused repeatedly.

What's Being Done
Policy proposals aim to strengthen consent requirements for director appointments and expand legal defences available to victims. For those affected, early recognition and professional support are crucial. Financial counsellors and legal advisers are increasingly alert to the signs of coerced directorships and other forms of economic abuse.

As awareness grows, so does the call for stronger safeguards to protect people from this hidden form of fraud.

Are You Accurately Reporting Cash Income? The ATO Is WatchingFor businesses in hospitality, trades and personal services...
20/05/2026

Are You Accurately Reporting Cash Income? The ATO Is Watching

For businesses in hospitality, trades and personal services, income often comes in as a mix of card and cash. As your accountant, our role isn't to alarm you - it's to help you understand the risks and make sure your business is protected.

Cash Is Still Income
Whether a customer pays by EFTPOS, transfer or cash, it must be recorded and reported. Where businesses run into trouble is when cash payments aren't entered into the system, are used to pay expenses informally, or simply aren't banked. Even without dishonest intent, inconsistent records create discrepancies - and over time, those discrepancies become visible.

Why Is This A Growing Risk?
Today's compliance environment is data-driven. Reported income is compared against industry benchmarks, supplier data and lifestyle indicators. Employees, competitors and customers also sometimes report suspected under-reporting. The consequences - reassessments, penalties, interest, and the stress of an audit - can be significant, even where there was no deliberate wrongdoing.

It's Not Just About Sales
Cash income issues can also include cash wages paid without PAYG withholding, super not processed correctly, contractors paid off the books, and personal expenses drawn from business takings. These create employment law and super exposure, not just tax risk.

Practical Steps
Record every sale regardless of payment type. Keep business and personal finances completely separate. Reconcile regularly - match sales records to bank deposits and merchant reports. And if something doesn't add up, get advice early.
Accurate reporting protects the value of your business, strengthens lender credibility, and gives you reliable data to make decisions. If you'd like to review your record-keeping or cash controls, let's have that conversation.

Our 2026-27 Federal Budget Special Edition Newsletter is here.Budget night delivered some significant changes - and we'v...
13/05/2026

Our 2026-27 Federal Budget Special Edition Newsletter is here.

Budget night delivered some significant changes - and we've broken down what they mean for you, your business, and your financial future.

In this edition, we cover:

✅ The $1,000 Instant Tax Deduction
✅ $250 Working Australians Tax Offset
✅ Changes to CGT, Negative Gearing & Trust Distributions
✅ Electric Vehicle FBT Exemption updates
✅ Superannuation changes from 1 July 2026
✅ Instant Asset Write-Off - now permanent
✅ R&D Tax Incentive changes & more

Whether you're a business owner, investor, or employee - there's something in this Budget that affects you.

👉 Read the full newsletter here: https://rvn.com.au/news/

Has Your Business Been Impacted by a Natural Disaster?Natural disasters can strike with very little warning, leaving bus...
12/05/2026

Has Your Business Been Impacted by a Natural Disaster?

Natural disasters can strike with very little warning, leaving business owners dealing with physical damage, lost income, disrupted operations, and enormous stress. If your business has been affected by a declared disaster, it is important to
know that help is available and that acting quickly can make a real difference to your recovery.

If your business has been affected by a natural disaster, please do not try to manage this alone. We can help you navigate the financial and compliance implications, identify what support you may be eligible for, and help you put together the documentation you need to access grants and government assistance.

https://rvn.com.au/news/

The end of financial year can sneak up on even the most organised business owners. With June 30 just around the corner, ...
06/05/2026

The end of financial year can sneak up on even the most organised business owners. With June 30 just around the corner, here's what to action before the year closes.

Review Your Financials
Review your profit and loss position year to date. Are there deductible expenses to bring forward, income to defer, or write-offs to claim - like bad debts or obsolete stock? If your business holds inventory, conduct a stocktake. Accurately valuing your stock at year-end can directly affect your taxable income.

Check Your Super Obligations
Super guarantee contributions for the quarter ending 30 June must be received by the employee's fund - not just processed - by the due date. Late payments aren't tax-deductible and can attract the SGC and additional penalties.
Also worth noting: Payday Super begins 1 July 2026, requiring employers to pay super at the same time as wages. If your payroll systems aren't ready, now is the time to sort it.

Consider Asset Purchases
If you've been weighing up a business asset or equipment purchase, bringing it forward to before 30 June could mean an immediate deduction or accelerated depreciation - depending on your circumstances. Chat with your accountant about what applies to you.

Review Your Structure & Agreements
Check whether your business structure is still working for you, and whether trust distributions, shareholder agreements, or director loan accounts need to be reviewed or documented before 30 June. Getting these right before year-end avoids costly corrections later.

A year-end planning meeting with your accountant is one of the best investments you can make. Come in before June 30 - while there's still time to act.

Forgotten Digital Assets Are Still Important At Tax Time!In today’s digital world, people hold more assets than ever bef...
14/04/2026

Forgotten Digital Assets Are Still Important At Tax Time!

In today’s digital world, people hold more assets than ever before. Some are obvious, like shares or property, while others exist online and are easily forgotten. Even if unused for months or years, these digital assets can still impact your tax return.

What counts as a digital asset?
While cryptocurrency is the most well-known, digital assets also include NFTs, domain names, revenue-generating websites, online income streams, digital licences, and content that earns income. Even loyalty points or rewards with monetary value may be relevant.

These assets can trigger tax consequences when sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of -even if you weren’t actively tracking them.

Why they still matter
Digital assets are often overlooked because they’re intangible or stored separately from traditional finances. However, tax law treats them like any other asset.

Taxable events
You don’t need to “cash out” to create a tax obligation. Trading tokens, using crypto to buy goods, or receiving rewards can result in capital gains or income.

Record keeping
Accurate records are essential. You need to track when assets were acquired, their cost, and their value when disposed of. Poor records can lead to incorrect tax reporting.

Lack of awareness
Many people are unsure of their obligations, not just for crypto but for all digital assets with value or income potential.

Common tax traps
- Forgotten wallets or accounts
- Rewards or staking income taxed even if not converted to cash
- Token swaps triggering capital gains
- NFT sales or royalties treated as income
- How to stay on track
- Keep detailed records of all transactions
- Regularly review wallets and platforms
- Seek professional advice where needed
- Don’t overlook hidden assets

Digital assets are now a normal part of many financial portfolios. Whether actively managed or forgotten, they still matter at tax time. Staying organised and informed can help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you’re unsure how your digital assets should be reported, professional advice can help ensure compliance and protect your financial position.

Property development can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved. While most arrangements are legitima...
06/04/2026

Property development can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved. While most arrangements are legitimate, some are “contrived property agreements” designed mainly to reduce tax rather than reflect genuine commercial activity.

These are the types of structures the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is closely monitoring.

What is a contrived property agreement?
These arrangements typically involve related parties and the artificial insertion of a “developer” entity that performs little or no real commercial role. This entity may have minimal staff, assets, or decision-making authority and exists largely to manage contracts and tax outcomes rather than take on real development risk.
Such structures are often used to delay income recognition, claim deductions earlier, or create losses that reduce tax across a broader business group. While the project itself may be profitable, the way income and costs are allocated can produce an artificial tax advantage.

Why the ATO is concerned
The ATO does not oppose legitimate structuring, but it does scrutinise arrangements that split a single project across multiple entities purely to minimise tax. Where a structure does not reflect commercial reality, the ATO may apply anti-avoidance rules, cancel tax benefits, amend prior returns, and impose penalties.

The risks
Taxpayers involved in contrived arrangements may face denied deductions, adjusted income timing, interest on unpaid tax, and significant penalties. These issues can arise years after a project begins, creating cash flow pressure and uncertainty.

What you should do
Property developers—especially those using related entities—should ensure their structures have genuine commercial substance. Clearly document each entity’s role and ensure income aligns with risk.

Seeking professional advice before entering or continuing complex arrangements is essential. Early review can identify risks and prevent costly disputes.
While tax efficiency is valid, overly artificial structures can lead to serious consequences. In property development, substance must come before tax outcomes.

Many businesses assume certain vehicles - especially dual-cab utes -  are automatically exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax ...
15/03/2026

Many businesses assume certain vehicles - especially dual-cab utes - are automatically exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).

The truth? Exemptions depend not only on the vehicle type but also on how it’s used.

Many employers assume certain vehicles - particularly dual-cab utes - are automatically exempt from FBT. Unfortunately, assumptions like this can lead to unexpected liabilities, amended returns, and difficult discussions with the ATO.
Even eligible vehicles can attract FBT if conditions aren’t met or records aren’t maintained.

That’s why we’re making it a little easier to work it out with our latest Tax Matters (Summer 2026), where we’re covering eligible and exempt vehicles for FBT purposes.

Plus, we’re looking at other FBT issues (such as business points for personal reward), tax compliance issues, why the ATO penalises significant tax debts and more.

When it comes to FBT, assumptions are costly. Early action, accurate records, and professional guidance can protect your cash flow and give you peace of mind.
If you’re unsure whether your vehicles or other benefits are correctly treated, speak to one of our team members for tailored advice.

Check out our latest article and chat with us if you’d like tailored advice before lodging your return.

https://rvn.com.au/news/

Using platforms like pay.com.au to earn reward points on everyday business expenses can feel like a smart win -  but whe...
09/03/2026

Using platforms like pay.com.au to earn reward points on everyday business expenses can feel like a smart win - but when those points are later used for personal benefits, FBT may apply.

Many businesses assume reward points are “free” because the original expense was business-related. Unfortunately, that assumption can create unexpected FBT exposure, and it’s an area attracting increased ATO attention in the 2025–26 FBT year.

When business-earned points fund personal flights, accommodation or upgrades for a director, employee or their associate, the ATO may treat this as a fringe benefit, even though the benefit is indirect.

What matters is understanding how points are earned, who uses them, and what they’re ultimately used for.

If your business uses payment platforms that generate rewards, this is the right time to review your approach before your next FBT return is due.

Read more about the FBT outcomes of using business points for personal awards in our latest issue (Tax Matters, Summer 2026).

If you’re unsure whether your current setup creates an FBT issue, start a conversation with us - we’re here to help you stay compliant and avoid surprises.

Check out our latest article and reach out if you’d like to discuss your options.

https://rvn.com.au/news/

If you have significant tax debts, you may be surprised to learn they can affect more than just your cash flow - they ca...
01/03/2026

If you have significant tax debts, you may be surprised to learn they can affect more than just your cash flow - they can also impact your career.

For many professionals, unresolved tax obligations don’t stop at interest and penalties. In regulated professions, large unpaid tax debts can raise concerns for employers, clients, and licensing bodies, potentially affecting your reputation, your professional standing, or even your ability to maintain a licence.

What matters most is how early you take action. Addressing tax debt proactively can help prevent escalation and reduce the risk of professional consequences.

Find out everything you need to know in our latest article: If I Have Significant Tax Debts, Could That Impact My Career? (Tax Matters, Summer 2026)

Finding out you have a substantial tax debt can feel overwhelming, but you’re not without options. With the right advice, it’s often possible to put manageable repayment arrangements in place and demonstrate compliance and responsibility.
Plus, if you’re unsure where to start, this is where professional support matters. A registered tax agent or accountant can help you understand what you genuinely owe, deal with the ATO, and guide you through repayment strategies before the situation escalates.

Check out our latest newsletter and reach out if you’d like to discuss your options.

https://rvn.com.au/news/

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