Malcolm Chilman Accountant

09/04/2026

Are you retired or semi retired and possess valuable business skills that you would like to pass on to other business owners? Then maybe you'd like to join Business Mentors Sunshine Coast as a Mentee. As a Mentee, you'll be helping local businesses grow and thrive, through mentoring very grateful business owners with practical advice that you have accumulated over many decades. Enjoy the comradely of fellow Mentees who meet up once a month. For more info, contact me directly or go to businessmentorssc.org.au

09/03/2026

Business Mentoring Sunshine Coast upcoming seminar.

22/01/2026

Don't forget to pay your employees Superannuation Guarantee for the December 2025 quarter by the 28 January 2026, otherwise you will incur the Superannuation Guarantee Charge which is a major headache.The SGC is really painful as, not only do you need to pay the fund to the ATO, but there are also a...

15/12/2025

There already exists a perfectly reasonable framework for deciding what should or shouldn’t be an expense payable by a Politian when their family travels with them on official business. Within our taxation legislation there is very clear rules on what is a personal travel expense and in no way supplemented by the Australian taxpayer. Why not apply the fringe benefits, entertainment and travel allowance rules adhered to by all Australian taxpayers to our politicians. As a business owner, I can claim the cost of my travel if it directly relates to my business, however, none of my families’ expenses if they accompany me. There are incidental costs such as a cab fare or a hotel room that maybe claimed, but any airfares, meals and entertainment are not claimable. Before anyone starts bemoaning how tough it is for a politician to be separated from the family, I’d suggest you talk to one of the tens of thousands of fly-in- fly- out workers throughout Australia. Quite often the self-employed FIFO can’t even claim the cost of their travel to their workplace.

30/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14MvsQK7V4u/

There's a new tax scam doing the rounds online. Here's what it looks like 👇

If you’re being asked by the ATO to click on a 'DocuSign' link to release your tax return – don’t. It's not us.

It’s a scam designed to steal your personal info to:

💰 Commit refund fraud
💰 Access your tax and super details
💰 Sell your identity to organised crime groups

We never use ‘DocuSign’ to finalise tax refunds. If you receive an email like this, here's what you need to do 👇

16/10/2025

If you have business you maybe interested in the Brisbane 2032 Procurement Program. The program will help deliver a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games - forecast to generate $8.1 billion in benefits for Queensland and $17.6 billion in benefits for Australia.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032 is excited to present an extraordinary opportunity for Queensland and Australian businesses to be part of a globally significant event that will shape the future of the region and country.

https://www.olympics.com/en/brisbane-2032/the-committee/partners-sponsors-and-suppliers/procurement

To deliver positive lasting impacts to the people of Queensland, Brisbane 2032 will engage a broad range of suppliers including local to medium businesses to encourage growth, boost investment into the local economy, and showcase the best our state has to offer - benefiting communities across the region.

08/10/2025

The truth about dual cab utes and Fringe Benefits Tax

Did you know a FORD RAPTOR UTE IS NOT A UTE! Well according to the Australian Taxation Office anyway.

There's a common myth that dual cab utes are automatically exempt from fringe benefits tax (FBT). However, that's not the case.

If your employers provide dual cab utes to staff to complete their duties and the vehicle is available for personal use, then the benefit may be subject to FBT.

When FBT doesn't apply
To qualify for an exemption, 2 conditions must be met. The dual cab ute must be:

1. An eligible vehicle, which means it's designed to carry:
a load of one tonne or more, or more than 8 passengers (including the driver), or a load under one tonne and not primarily designed for carrying passengers.

2. Only used for limited private use (i.e. minor, infrequent and irregular), such as the occasional trip to the tip or helping a mate move house.
So, if your work dual cab ute doubles as the family taxi or is used for weekend personal trips, it's not exempt.

When FBT applies
If an employee's personal use doesn't meet both exemption conditions, you will be liable for FBT.

What to do
Ensure you keep accurate records – even if the benefit is exempt from FBT because of limited private use, you need to keep records to support this.

Ford Raptors do not meet the specifications to be dual cab ute and are treated the same as a passenger vehicle for Fringe Benefits Tax. There load carrying capacity is insufficent and they are deemed a 'passenger' vehicle.

19/09/2025

Still loving Xero.

07/05/2025

ATO unveils ‘wild’ tax deduction attempts and priorities for 2025
The ATO reveals 'unbelievable' tax deduction attempts, and what their tax time priorities are for 2025.

Published 7 May 2025
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has today revealed some of the ‘wild’ work related expense tax claims people have tried to put past the ATO, and spoiler alert: an air fryer generally won’t make the cut.

Some of the most outrageous deduction attempts the ATO saw last year included:

A mechanic tried to claim an air fryer, microwave, 2 vacuum cleaners, a TV, gaming console and gaming accessories as work-related. The claim was denied as these expenses are personal in nature.
A truck driver tried to claim swimwear because it was hot where they stopped in transit and they wanted to go for a swim. The claim was denied as these expenses are personal in nature.
A manager in the fashion industry tried to claim well over $10,000 in luxury-branded clothing and accessories to be well presented at work, and to attend events, dinners and functions. The clothing was all conventional in nature and was not allowed.
ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson reminded taxpayers that the ATO’s role is to collect the correct amount of tax that is owed, and exaggerated deduction attempts would not be tolerated.

‘While some people have tried their luck with unusual work-related deduction claims, most people realise to be able to claim an expense, it needs to meet strict criteria.

‘While a lunchtime dip might clear your head for work, swimwear for a truck driver is clearly not deductible.’

‘We know in many instances mistakes relating to work-related expenses could be avoided with a little time and effort,’ Mr Thomson said.

This tax time the ATO will be focused on areas it sees frequent errors, including work-related expenses, working from home deductions and in respect to multiple income sources.

‘Work-related expenses must have a close connection to your income earning activities, and you shou

22/04/2025

Super contribution caps for 2024-25.

Don't miss out on maximising your tax deductions using concessional superannuation contributions. This financial year's limit is $30,000. Just make sure the payment hits your super fund well before 30 June 2025. It can take weeks for the superfund to process the payments and you may miss out if they don't get it done in time, so I'd suggest getting it paid before 15 June at least.

You maybe able to contribute more than $30,000 utilising the Bring Forward Contribution if your fund balance is less than $500,000. The Bring Forward, allows you to catch up on contributions for prior year where you didn't use the full contribution limit.

Let me know if you need more info on super contributions.

02/04/2025

https://comms.qrida.qld.gov.au/v/22273/1722145913/email.html?k=ea4sFlmQjr0p1xbvU77FRB8lz94K8vVkxMbLi6u_BtE