EP Business Solutions

17/10/2026

🚨 Trust Tax Update for Australian Families & Small Business Owners 🚨

There has been a lot of discussion about the proposed *30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts*, but it's important to separate facts from rumours.

✅ The proposed 30% trust tax has NOT yet been passed by Parliament.
The measure remains a proposal and is not currently law.
According to the ATO, the Government announced the proposal in the 2026-27 Federal Budget, but it still requires legislative approval.

✅ If the legislation is passed, the proposed commencement date is 1 July 2028.

⚠️ This means:
• Existing trust arrangements remain subject to the current rules.
• No immediate changes are required based solely on the proposal.
• Business owners and trustees should stay informed as the legislation progresses through Parliament.

As always, avoid making major restructuring decisions based on headlines alone. The final legislation, if enacted, may differ from the current proposal.

📞 If you have a family trust or business trust and would like to understand how these proposed changes may affect you from 1 July 2028, please give us a call.

The Government announced it will introduce a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts.

24/09/2026

For business owners, checkout this session run by a friend and fellow CA Susan Davies.

Well worth a look https://events.humanitix.com/do-you-know-what-your-business-needs-to-succeedhttps://events.humanitix.com/do-you-know-what-your-business-needs-to-succeed

A practical masterclass to help you understand the financial side of running a business: what you need to know, what you need to ask and why it matters.

03/09/2026

💳 Do you currently add a card surcharge?

A significant payment change is approaching.

From 1 October 2026, businesses will no longer be able to add surcharges to Visa, Mastercard, American Express and eftpos card payments.

While the surcharge is ending, your merchant processing costs may continue. Now is a good time to:

✅ Check what your provider charges
✅ Compare merchant fee arrangements
✅ Review your pricing
✅ Update surcharge settings, signs, menus and invoices
✅ Calculate the effect on your margins

A small percentage can add up quickly, so make sure you understand the impact before the change takes effect.

08/07/2026

Are you employing your first staff member or need a refresher on the rules and regulations? Check out Business SA free online seminar.

https://business.sa.gov.au/sessions/employing-your-first-staff-member?fbclid=IwVERDUAS56AtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR66m87ra6SJn1YhYlqoSBx7V6A-dG5DzWsOr55WStM1oF7aVGZ_RyhyVRB62Q_aem_qKyeeLOdmTTGqAq0VAHXLg

Information, advice and resources to support South Australian small and family businesses.

07/07/2026

📈 Looking to build confidence in your farm business finances?

Plan to Profit is a practical, online course kicking off 14 July for farmers residing on the Eyre Peninsula.

Across five fortnightly sessions, participants will work on financial literacy, business planning, preparing for the season, longer-term planning and testing important 'what-if' scenarios.

The course includes group Zoom sessions, farm revision using P2Pagri resources, plus one-to-one Zoom coaching with P2PAgri advisor Mike Krause. Recordings will be available for group sessions you are unable to attend.

🔗 Spaces are limited, so register today tr.ee/gfEUkG

AIR EP - Ag Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula
Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula

10/06/2026

Are you paying staff?

Are you ready for Payday Super?

From 1 July 2026, super must be paid on payday — not quarterly.
⚠️ Cash flow pressure
⚠️ Payroll changes required
⚠️ Increased compliance risk

Don’t leave it too late.

📧 [email protected] | 📞 0428 852 282

28/05/2026

By now, many will have seen the 2026–27 Federal Budget announcements, which are widely being viewed as a significant tax grab on Australians.

For a detailed breakdown, see:
https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/news-and-analysis/news/federal-budget-2026-27-overview

If you’d like tailored advice on how these changes may affect you or your structure, please get in touch with our office.

Tax, Superannuation and Financial Services Leader Susan Franks CA explains the tax measures in the Federal Budget and the impact on the profession.

22/05/2026

Payday Super is coming. If your using Xero please review the info at

All the information you need to prepare and stay up to date with Payday Super with Xero.

14/04/2026

Bendigo Banks Apr-26 Australian Commodity Update has been released

High input and freight costs are here to stay over the short term which may begin to drive up prices at the checkout, particularly for fruit and veg. Meanwhile recent rains have seen farmers look to get an early start sowing winter crops, with a favourable bank of soil moisture to get crops off to a...

03/04/2026

Wishing Everyone a Festive Easter 🐇

Newsletter out now

The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year runs from 1 April to 31 March and applies when businesses provide benefits to employees (including directors and sometimes their associates) in addition to salary.