A 12-month plan designed for new business owners who may want some extra guidance around business structure, accounting software setup and training, and more.

We will provide you with guidance and support on what you'll need to do to establish and commence running your new business

We can provide advice on the best business structure for your needs and take care of establishment and registrations

Set up your Xero file so it's optimised for you and give you initial training so you start off in the right way

Preparation of a budget tailored to your business and input into Xero so you can track how you're going

Starter pack

We prepare your BAS returns ready for you to review and pay. We also remind you of when and how much to pay, and even send an alert if you forget! Requires Xero.

Prepare BAS

If you would rather be doing something else, let us do your bookkeeping for you. We love coding and checking and you can relax knowing it's all done right, and on time. Requires Xero.

Bank reconciliation

Input and review of crypto investments per report generated by platform. If not managed/self-managed, please get in touch with our support team for further details.

Crypto

We'll set up your Xero file from scratch, then give you the training you need to use it to its full potential.

Xero setup & training

Input and review of rental activity per agent statement and additional receipts not included in statement e.g. home loan statements, depreciation report. 

If not managed/self-managed, speak to our support team for further details.

Property

Don't know what fringe benefit tax is? Learn about it in our FBT guide.

FBT return (annual)

We set you up with the right Xero subscription and manage your payments.

Xero monthly subscription

We set up your Xero file so it is optimised for you and your business.

Xero setup

An hour of training on how to use Xero to it's full potential.

Xero training

If you would rather be doing something else, let us do your bookkeeping for you. We love coding and checking and you can relax knowing it's all done right, and on time.

Large bank reconciliation

Learn the difference between the Medicare levy and surcharge, and how private health insurance  affects what you pay.

FINANCIAL LITERACY  •  31 JULY 2026  •  5 MIN READ

Confused about Medicare on your tax return? Learn the difference between the levy and surcharge, and how private health insurance actually affects what you pay.

Why you still pay Medicare even with private health insurance

If you’re paying for private health insurance every month, it can feel like something doesn’t quite add up when your tax estimate shows Medicare charges on top. It might feel like you’re being charged twice for the same thing, but in reality you’re not.

What you're actually seeing on your tax estimate 

On your tax estimate or notice of assessment, there are two Medicare components listed under ‘Other liabilities’:

They're calculated differently, triggered by different rules, and don't respond to private health insurance in the same way.  

The Medicare Levy (the 2% you can't avoid) 

This is the part most people assume their private health insurance should cover, but it doesn't. The Medicare Levy is a standard contribution to Australia's public healthcare system. It helps fund things like public hospitals, GP visits, and subsidised medicines. Whether you use those services or not isn't the point, it's based on the idea that everyone contributes.  

For most taxpayers, it's calculated at 2% of your taxable income and having private health insurance doesn't remove this levy. You can have a full hospital cover, never use the public system, and still pay for it. This is because it's not tied to your personal usage or your insurance, but to your income.  

The only time this amount reduces or disappears is if your income falls below certain thresholds or you qualify for a specific exemption. Otherwise, it applies across the board.  

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (the part you can avoid) 

This is the one that actually connects to your private health insurance. The Medicare Levy Surcharge is an additional tax that applies if your income is above a certain threshold, and you don't have the right level of private hospital cover. It's designed to encourage higher earners to take the pressure off the public system by going private.  

Unlike the standard levy, this isn't automatic. It only kicks in when both of these conditions are met:  

Your income exceeds the threshold (currently $105,000 for singles and $210,000 for couples/families for FY27)

You don't have qualifying hospital cover 

The rate ranges from 1% to 1.5% of your income, depending on how much you earn. This is where private health insurance makes a difference. If you have an appropriate hospital policy in place for the full financial year, the surcharge doesn't apply.  

That's why this part is often described as avoidable. You're effectively choosing between paying the surcharge or holding a level of insurance cover that meets the requirements.  

What counts as 'valid' private health insurance 

Having private health insurance doesn't automatically mean you've avoided the surcharge. The policy has to meet specific criteria.  

It needs to be hospital cover. Extras cover on its own, like dental, physio, or optical, doesn't count toward avoiding the surcharge. 

The policy must also fall within the allowed excess limits:  

If your excess is higher than this, the policy won't qualify for MLS purposes.  

You also need to be covered for the entire financial year. Even a short gap, like switching providers or starting a policy later, can trigger the surcharge for those uncovered days.  

It's really just about having the right type of cover, with the right structure, and in place for the full year.  

Why you might still be charged the surcharge 

If you're seeing an MLS on your tax assessment despite having insurance, there’s usually a specific reason behind it. 

Your insurance is for extras cover only. These policies are useful for everyday healthcare, but they don't count toward avoiding the surcharge. Without hospital cover, the MLS still applies.  

Your policy excess is above the allowed limits. Even if it's hospital cover, going over the $750 or $1,500 threshold means it doesn't qualify.  

There were gaps in cover. If there were any days during the year where you weren't covered (even briefly while switching providers), the surcharge can apply proportionally for those days.  

Reporting issues. If your private health insurance details weren't correctly pre-filled or recorded, the ATO may calculate the surcharge as if you had no cover.  

If something doesn't look right, it's worth checking these areas first before assuming the charge is correct.  

The decision most higher-earners are making 

For those that fall within the MLS thresholds, it often comes down to a simple trade-off. Do you pay the MLS, or do you pay for a level of private hospital cover that removes it?  

In many cases, a basic hospital policy can cost less than the surcharge itself. That's why some people take out cover. Not necessarily for the benefits, but to avoid the extra tax.  

It's one of the few areas where the system gives you a choice. You either pay the government through the surcharge, or redirect that cost toward private cover that meets the requirements.  

What to do if you opt for insurance cover

Make sure your policy includes hospital cover not just extras

Set your excess level to less than $750 (for singles) or $1500 (for couples or families)

If you switch insurance providers, make sure there’s no gaps in cover i.e. one policy finishes and the other starts on the same day.

Ensure that your insurance details are correctly reported to the ATO each year

If you're unsure whether your setup is working in your favour, check with your Beany accountant. We'll walk through your tax position, check the details, and make sure there are no surprises when your return is finalised.

Beany Resources delivered straight to your inbox.

Missing an ASIC obligation may seem like a small thing but it can easily escalate into a much bigger issue if it doesn't get resolved.

FINANCIAL LITERACY  •  30 JUNE 2026  •  4 MIN READ

Missing an ASIC obligation may seem like a small thing but it can easily escalate into a much bigger issue (even a legal one) if it doesn't get resolved.

What happens if you don't pay your ASIC fees (or meet any other ASIC obligations)?

Every registered Australian company has an ongoing obligation to pay fees to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Miss a payment, and the consequences start small. Leave them long enough, and they can threaten the legal existence of your business entirely.

What actually happens when you don't pay?

The day after your fee is due, ASIC applies a late fee automatically. From that point, the longer you leave it, the more expensive it becomes.

If the fees continue to go unpaid, ASIC will send notices to your registered agent, your company's portal account or your registered office address. If those go ignored, final letters are sent directly to each director's residential address. At that point, ASIC is not providing a friendly nudge. They’re formally notifying you that your company is at risk.

For companies that remain non-compliant for twelve months or more, ASIC can begin deregistration proceedings. Once deregistration is complete, your company no longer exists as a legal entity, any contracts it held may become unenforceable, and any assets the business held are claimed by the Australian Government. On top of that, the personal liability protection that comes with operating as a company structure disappears. If the business continues to operate after deregistration, directors can find themselves personally responsible for any debts and obligations incurred.

Beyond the legal exposure, there is a reputational dimension that is easy to underestimate. Lenders, investors and business partners regularly check ASIC's public register. A visible history of non-compliance can affect loan applications, tender eligibility and the confidence of people you want to do business with.

Paying ASIC fees on time is not just a tick-box exercise. It acts as a signal that a business is being run properly.

ASIC late fees apply any time a company misses a deadline, whether that is a payment, a document lodgement or an update to company details. There are more ways to trigger a late fee than most business owners realise.

Miss the two-month window to pay your annual review fee after your company's anniversary date

Do not correct or update details shown on your annual statement within 28 days of it being issued

Fail to notify ASIC of changes to company details such as a new director, a change of address or a share structure update within 28 days of the change occurring

Do not lodge required ASIC documents on time

Allow your registered contact details to become outdated, meaning you never receive your annual statement (the obligation and the late fee still apply even if the notice never reached you)

Assume that because your company is not actively trading it has no obligations. Until a company is formally wound up or deregistered, all annual requirements remain in place

Once a deadline is missed, ASIC applies an automatic late fee of $102 (applied the day after the due date). If the obligation remains unpaid (or unlodged) beyond one month, that rises to $428. These fees apply per missed obligation, so missing multiple deadlines means multiple late fees.

For companies subject to an industry funding levy, a penalty of 20% per annum of the overdue amount is charged for each month the payment remains outstanding.

To show how quickly this adds up, say your annual review fee is $342 and you also missed lodging a director update, and both are more than one month overdue. You are looking at the original $342 fee plus 2 lots of $428 in late penalties across the two obligations, totalling $1,198. What started as routine admin has become a four-figure cost.

Note: ASIC fees are indexed annually on 1 July. In the above example, we've used the figures that apply from 1 July 2026. Always check the current fee schedule on the ASIC website to confirm the rate that applies to your company.

In short, rarely. ASIC applies late fees automatically and the bar for having them removed is extremely high.

Waivers are only considered in genuinely exceptional circumstances where something entirely outside the company's control made compliance impossible. This includes situations such as a natural disaster destroying business records, a serious illness or death of a sole director, a confirmed cyberattack that prevented lodgement, court delays affecting required documentation or a processing error on ASIC's own end.

What will not qualify is a much longer list. Forgetting a deadline, not receiving the annual statement because contact details were out of date, cash flow problems, staff shortages, being busy or travelling. None of these will result in a waiver. 

ASIC's position is that compliance is the company's responsibility regardless of circumstance, and that position is applied consistently.

If you do believe you have genuine grounds for a waiver, you will need to apply through ASIC Connect and provide supporting evidence. ASIC aims to review applications within 28 days.

ASIC compliance is one of those things that can slip down the priority list when you are busy. The tips below can help make sure it does not catch you off guard.

The review date is the anniversary of your registration and it never changes, which means you can plan around it well in advance. Set calendar reminders and treat it like any other non-negotiable business deadline.

If your registered email address or office address is out of date, annual statements and payment notices may never reach you. That does not remove your obligation to pay, so it’s worth always keeping your details up to date.

When everyone assumes someone else is handling it, things get missed. Whether that is you or another team member, one person should be responsible for tracking deadlines and making sure lodgements and payments are completed on time.

Do not wait until your annual review to notify ASIC of changes. Directors, addresses and share structures need to be updated within 28 days of a change occurring. Building a habit of lodging changes promptly removes the risk of late lodgement fees stacking up alongside your annual review obligations.

Budget for ASIC fees as a regular business cost

Fees are indexed annually on 1 July, so it is worth checking the current rate each year and setting funds aside so the payment is never a surprise.

Act as soon as your annual statement arrives

When your statement arrives, review it and pay promptly rather than waiting for the deadline to approach. This leaves a buffer for any technical issues with payment processing and reduces the chance of an avoidable late fee from a last-minute oversight.

Consider working with an accountant or registered ASIC agent

For businesses that find compliance admin difficult to keep on top of, having someone manage it means deadlines are monitored and lodgements are handled without it falling through the cracks. At Beany, our clients receive a heads-up when their annual review is due as part of their accounting service.

Not working with an accountant? Beany is an online accounting and business advisory firm with clients across Australia. Our team are based nationwide, from Auckland to the deep South. Get in touch or book a free discovery call to discuss how we can help your business.

Financial literacy

Be ready for year-end with our EOFY preparation checklist.

A practical EOFY preparation checklist for Australian businesses to organise finances, reduce tax risk, and file with confidence.

Year-End Preparation for Australian Business Owners

Preparing for year-end isn't just about closing the books. It also sets the clock ticking on filing and tax obligations.

To help you prepare, we've put together a checklist of key areas that are worth reviewing before the financial year comes to a close.

As you approach year-end, your bookkeeping should be fully up to date. Check that all sales invoices for the year have been raised and all expenses have been accurately recorded.​

This includes reconciling bank accounts, ensuring receipts are uploaded or attached, and checking that transactions are categorised correctly. Incomplete records can destroy your profit figure and create delays when accounts are being prepared.

Outstanding invoices count as income, even if the money has not been received. This can inflate profit and tax. 

Before year-end, assess whether outstanding debts are genuinely recoverable. If a customer has gone quiet, is in financial trouble, or has shown no progress despite follow-up, it may no longer be appropriate to treat that invoice as income. 

Would you still expect to collect this in six months?

Is this a genuine receivable or simply optimism?

Bad debts usually need to be written off before EOFY to be tax-deductible. Waiting until later can mean paying tax on income you never receive. 

Missed creditors are one of the most common errors and often leads to overstated profit. 

Check whether all bills incurred before 30 June have been entered, including professional fees, interest or supplier invoices received late. Accurate liabilities help ensure your tax position reflects reality. 

Fixed asset registers often contain items that no longer exist or are no longer used. For example, old electronics that are obsolete or have been upgraded.

Go through the list and check whether assets have been sold, upgraded, scrapped, or are no longer in use. Removing obsolete assets can unlock deductions and simplify depreciation in future years. 

5. Treat stocktake as a financial exercise

For businesses holding stock, year-end stock values directly affect taxable income. This is the time to identify obsolete, damaged, or slow-moving stock and make sure it’s valued appropriately. Overstated stock is one of the fastest ways to overstate profit. 

6. Confirm vehicle claims are properly supported

If you claim vehicle expenses, EOFY is when usage assumptions are tested. 

Check that your logbook is still valid and up to date, that business-use percentages still reflect reality, and that any changes in use are documented. Without proper records, you will be limited to the cents per km method, which caps claims at a maximum of 5,000 business kilometres per vehicle. This can make a big difference to your tax return.

Reminder: a logbook should record all business and personal travel for at least 12 weeks, and can be used for up to 5 years provided there’s no significant change in the vehicle’s use.

Read more: claiming motor vehicle expenses

7. Check that BAS lodgements are up to date

All Business Activity Statements covering the financial year should be submitted and aligned with your bookkeeping.

Missed lodgements, inconsistencies, or missing documentation can delay accounts preparation and trigger follow-up work.

Payroll records should be reviewed ahead of year-end. This includes checking that payroll reports are complete and employee records are accurate. You should also ensure that all payruns have been filed with the ATO to meet Single Touch Payroll (STP) requirements.

If you want superannuation for employees to be deductible in the current financial year, you should also make sure the payment is received by their super fund before 30 June. Otherwise, it will fall into the next year (provided you pay by the 28 July payment deadline).

Review shareholder loan accounts and make minimum loan repayments. You may also need to declare dividends (ask your accountant about this).

Ensure contributions are made and received by 30 June

Where applicable, make sure minimum pension payments have been withdrawn from the fund’s bank account by 30 June

Check that paperwork is in place for any in-specie contributions made to the super fund

Make sure trustee resolutions are in place in order to distribute trust income to beneficiaries

Check that all Tax File Numbers for beneficiaries have been received

10. Consider whether to make any personal contributions to your super fund

Personal concessional contributions are tax-deductible up to the yearly cap of $30,000 (including any employer contributions). If you have unused contributions from the last 5 years, you may be able to contribute more than the cap this financial year.

If you plan to make any personal concessional contributions, make sure the money is received by the fund before 30 June and that you've submitted a Notice of Intent to Claim prior to claiming the tax deduction.

11. Organise documents for the questions that always come up

Most delays with annual accounts are caused by missing or unclear documentation. Preparing these early saves time later and reduces back-and-forth during tax preparation. 

Loan and lease agreements entered during the year

If an expense is large, unusual, or new, expect it to be queried by your accountant.

We recommend keeping these sorts of documents stored in an easily accessible location to avoid any scramble to find them later.

12. Review your business and tax structures

Before year-end it’s a good time to review whether your current business structure is still the right fit. Do you need all those entities and tax structures? Maybe you need two companies and three trusts, maybe you don’t. Maybe it might be time to move from a sole trader to a company.

Reviewing this before year-end allows all compliance to be wrapped up for the current year, with any changes starting cleanly in the new year. Changing structures at another point in the year creates additional filing and reporting obligations for every structure that existed during that period, which is why year-end is the simplest and best time to make these decisions.

13. Reflect on performance and plan ahead 

Preparing to close off the financial year is also a chance to step back and assess how the business has performed. Reviewing income, costs, and cash flow patterns can highlight trends that are easy to overlook during the year. ​

Many business owners use this point to produce a high-level budget or forecast for the next financial year. Even a simple one can help guide decisions as the new year begins.

Getting ready for year-end does not have to be stressful. Beany works with Australian businesses to prepare accounts, handle filings, and keep everything compliant with the ATO. If you're looking for an accountant to support your business, get in touch or book a call with us today.

Year-end preparation for Australian business owners

Changing shareholders in your company? Make sure you know the key implications first.

BUSINESS ADVICE  •  18 MAY 2026  •  6 MIN READ

Shareholder changes come with real tax and legal risks. Here's what Australian business owners need to consider before transferring or issuing shares.

What you need to know before changing company shareholders

Bringing in a new partner into your business, rewarding a key employee with a stake, or passing the company down to the next generation are all exciting milestones. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and think that changing who owns the shares is as simple as updating a form. 

However, a change in shareholding is a major business decision with significant financial and legal implications. We've seen clients make a quick change, only to face unexpected tax bills or complications down the line. 

Before making any shareholder changes, it's crucial to understand what's involved. Getting it right from the start protects everyone involved and saves a lot of future headaches. Here's a simple rundown of the key things you need to consider.

Does your company have tax losses from previous years? Normally, you can carry these forward to reduce tax on future profits. However, if your company's ownership changes, you may lose the ability to use those losses. 

In Australia, companies must satisfy either the Continuity of Ownership Test (COT) or the Same Business Test (SBT) to retain access to prior year tax losses. Broadly, this means the same shareholders must hold more than 50% of the voting, dividend and capital rights, or the company must continue to operate the same business after the ownership change. 

If these tests are failed, the company may forfeit the ability to use carried forward tax losses.

Franking credits represent tax your company has already paid on its profits. When dividends are paid, these credits are attached to avoid double taxation and reduce the tax shareholders pay personally. 

If there is a significant change in shareholding or control, the company may fail the franking credit integrity rules, particularly the holding period rule and related payments rule, or trigger anti-avoidance provisions. In some cases, this can limit the ability of new shareholders to benefit from existing franking credits. 

You may think this is not relevant if you do not regularly pay dividends. However, retained profits are often distributed later, including on wind-up of the company. If franking credits cannot be effectively used, shareholders may end up paying tax at their full marginal rate.

Sorting shareholder loan accounts (Division 7A)

Often, shareholders lend money to the company or borrow from it. This is tracked through shareholder loan accounts. 

In Australia, these arrangements are closely monitored under Division 7A rules. If a shareholder owes money to the company and it is forgiven, written off, or not placed on a complying loan agreement, the amount may be treated as an unfranked dividend and become taxable in the shareholder's hands. 

Before any shareholder exits, these balances must be properly reviewed and settled.

All share transactions must be recorded at a realistic price for tax purposes. Even if you're passing shares to a family member, the ATO expects the transaction to reflect market value. 

This is particularly important for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes. Transferring shares below market value can still trigger a CGT event based on the market value of the shares at the time of transfer.

When you reward employees with shares in the company, this often falls under Employee Share Scheme (ESS) rules, which have their own tax treatment. 

If shares are provided at a discount to market value, that discount is generally treated as taxable income for the employee, even if no cash changes hands. There are specific concessions and deferral rules available under ESS legislation, but these schemes must be structured carefully.

While the tax and accounting side is critical, there are a few other things to be aware of when changing shareholders.

Any change in shareholding must be reflected in your company register and reported to ASIC within the required timeframe. 

If you have a shareholder agreement, it is a legally binding document that must be followed. It should outline what happens if a shareholder wants to sell, passes away, or if a dispute arises. If you don't have one, this is a good time to speak with a lawyer. 

If a shareholding change results in a foreign individual or entity acquiring a substantial interest in your company, you may need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) before the transfer takes place. 

This commonly applies where a foreign person acquires 20% or more of the company, or where multiple foreign persons together hold 40% or more. Different thresholds and additional rules can also apply if your business operates in sensitive sectors such as land, infrastructure, data, energy, or media. 

This is not a tax issue, but a legal approval requirement. Failing to obtain FIRB approval before the transaction can lead to serious penalties and the transaction being unwound. 

While your accountant handles valuation and tax implications, a lawyer should manage the legal paperwork, including share transfer forms, updates to the constitution, and any changes required to existing agreements. 

As you can see, there's a lot to consider. Getting professional advice before making any shareholder changes helps ensure the process is smooth, compliant, and free of costly surprises later.

Important considerations before changing your company shareholders

Business advice

What counts as RESC, what doesn't and how incorrect reporting can affect your employees income, benefits and repayments.

PAYROLL & SUPER  •  18 MAY 2026  •  1 MIN READ

Understand what counts as RESC, what doesn’t, and how incorrect reporting can affect your employees’ income, benefits, and repayments.

What are Reportable Employer Super Contributions (RESC) and are you getting it right?

Reportable Employer Superannuation Contributions (RESC) is a term that shows up in payroll and year-end reporting, but it's not always clear what actually falls into it. The confusion is usually about what should be reported in the first place.  

Not all super contributions are treated the same. Some need to be included as RESC, while others don't. The difference comes down to how the contribution is structured and whether the employee had any influence over it.  

When that line gets blurred, it can affect how an employee's income is assessed for things like HECS repayments or government benefits, even though nothing has changed in their take-home pay.  

That's why it's important to understand what counts as RESC and what doesn't.

A super contribution is generally considered RESC when both of the following apply:  

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