10 tax myths new business starters accept as gospel

This article originally appeared in the MYOB website on 15 May.

Setting up a new business means being tech savvy. But when it comes to tax, startups often get it wrong.

The End of Financial Year is in sight and business owners are at breakneck speed with their accountants to update their files and confirm the correct taxes have been paid.

While it’s only natural that a business keeps its tax burden in check, new business owners tend to miss the mark.

Whether they don’t compute tax regulations and online reportage, or listen to friends not quite on point, new business owners can absorb a few tax-related ‘alternative facts’.

These 10 most common tax myths will help you avoid wasting your (and your accountant’s) time on pointless moves to minimise your tax bill.

1. My business should be structured as a company to minimise my income tax
Cofounder of accounting and bookkeeping firm 2 Peas, Pam Pitt, told The Pulse that business owners rush into a company structure with the dream of paying less income tax.

“This isn’t necessarily true as a company pays a flat rate for company taxation – currently 27.5 percent for business with a turnover of less than $10 million per annum,” said Pitt.

“There’s no tax-free threshold for companies, so if your business is making a small profit, you’re paying company tax on every dollar earned.”

Pitt’s advice is for new businesses with low profits to weigh up being a sole trader if they can.

“There’s a tax-free threshold for sole traders and the percentage of taxation increases as the profit of the business grows.”

2. I’ll set up the simplest and cheapest structure to start and change when I make more money
Accounting business consultant Amanda Gascoigne said some new business owners leap into a specific business structure based on no expertise. Getting the right structure and guidance before your doors open is invaluable. Advisors tap into their industry experience when assessing the numbers and concepts presented by excited business newbies and they give crucial startup advice.

“My philosophy when advising budding entrepreneurs has always been to start with realistic expectations around their growth, profitability, asset protection and tax minimisation, and to be a bit visionary” Gascoigne said.

“Changing structures and ABN can cost them time and money in the future, so it’s best they get it right from the start.”

READ: Getting your business structure right – from the start

3. I don’t need specific accounting and bookkeeping systems for now
Depending on your type of business, the initial paperwork might be light on.

This is when the ‘shoebox’ bookkeeping system comes into play. It might be tempting to manually prepare tax documents as required. But Gascoigne warns this approach leads to headaches later.

“Make sure you’ve a great bookkeeping system to keep receipts,” she said. “If you don’t, you can’t record the expense and your accountant can’t claim it against your business income.

“Investing in accounting software from the beginning means you stay on top of your business finances by capturing income and expenses daily. You can produce regular reports to track profits and remain compliant with the ATO.”

That small accounting software investment upfront takes the sweat out for a business owner over time.

4. I’ve put company branding on my vehicle so it can be written off against my tax
Company vehicles are a can of worms for many business owners. Logbook management and branding are easily misunderstood.

“To claim an expense for using a motor vehicle, you need to have kept a logbook over a continuous 12-week period and then keep your receipts for the entire year,” said Gascoigne.

“Unsuspecting new business owners don’t keep a logbook or receipts, which makes it awfully hard for their accountants to make a claim.

“The other misconception is that if a vehicle bears any company branding then it is automatically and 100 per cent deductible. This may not be the case if a logbook doesn’t match that business use.”

READ: What vehicle expenses can your business claim?

5. Hospitality business owners don’t have to report their tips
Also from 2 Peas, Cofounder Pam Madytianos notes that hospitality business owners often think tips are excluded from their income.

“The bad news is that tips do form part of your income and you have to report this in your accounting software,” Madytianos said.

Tips may not be a staple of the hospitality industry as it is in the global scene, but they fall under income tax rules. And this dovetails with the next tax myth.

6. When I’m paid in cash I don’t have to record it
Cash payments of any size to your business are to be reported as income.

“Regardless of how you’re paid, all income must be reported. Failure to do so can result in repercussions for the business and owner in the form of an audit from the ATO and possible financial penalties,” Madytianos said.

7. I don’t have to pay superannuation because I employ contractors registered with an ABN
If someone’s a contractor they could still be classified as your employee, depending on how much work and what kind of work they’re doing.

You might need to tag on a super payment on top of your payment to contractors without realising it.

“If you pay an individual under a contract that is wholly or principally for that person’s labour, you have to pay super for them,” Madytianos said.

“This is quite a tricky area for many businesses, so discuss all contracts with your tax advisor in advance of EOFY.”

8. If I develop and sell a property, then I get the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount
Sean Devenish, Principal at Collins SBA, told The Pulse that many people go off-track with their ideas on property tax breaks and how they relate to their business.

“People often belief that by developing and selling a property through their business, they’ll get access to the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount.

“But this is typically not the case, as the money made from selling the property will be filed under their income account.”

This is only one example of how businesses and real estate link in with tax rules. Business owners would be well-advised to draw on their accountant’s knowhow to get the best property investment result.

9. I can’t use my Self-Managed Super Fund to help my business
It might fly under the radar for how business starters can use their Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) to propel their business venture, Devenish said.

To have this SMSF benefit, your business needs to have the relevant structure from the get-go.

“There are opportunities with structuring your business that let you use funds in your SMSF to invest in commercial properties,” he said.

READ: The trouble with SME owners and superannuation

10. I don’t need to pay for good financial advice
The Oscar award goes to the key tax myth faced by bookkeepers and accountants that they’re not required from the outset.

It’s a big lure for startups to think it makes sense to save money by seeking financial advice online and pearls of wisdom from buddies. This strategy can go headlong into frantic, last-minute calls to tax advisors.

Paying for advice from a reputable professional will help you sleep better, knowing you’ve done the right thing by the ATO and by your business. They’re experts for a reason.

The advice in this article is general in nature and may not be relevant for your specific situation or geographic location.