What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm

http://www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au/, https://myprofile.tpb.gov.au/public-register/practitioner/?ran=25538376

Blue Orchid Accounting, 6 Ivory Crescent, Woongarrah (2026)

09/10/2026

📢 ATO CREDIT-CARD BAN DELAYED: WELCOME RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESS

The Federal Government has announced that the ATO will continue accepting credit-card payments until 30 June 2027.

The ATO had previously planned to stop accepting credit-card payments after 30 November 2026. This caused considerable concern for small businesses that rely on credit cards as a short-term cash-flow management tool when paying BAS, income tax and other taxation liabilities.

The extension provides some welcome breathing space while the ATO consults with the small-business community and considers a longer-term payment solution.

However, it is important to understand that this is a temporary reprieve—not confirmation that credit-card payments will remain available permanently.

Small businesses should continue to:

✅ Monitor their cash flow and upcoming tax obligations
✅ Avoid relying solely on credit cards to meet ATO payments
✅ Consider payment arrangements early if they anticipate difficulty paying
✅ Review the cost and suitability of their business finance arrangements

You can read the full Institute of Certified Bookkeepers article here:

https://www.icb.org.au/s/news/ato-credit-card-reprieve-for-small-businesses-MC7LF7CFNAGRFDVEBVBNZLQFVVME

If you are concerned about an upcoming taxation liability or need assistance reviewing your payment options, please contact Blue Orchid Accounting.

Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au
📧 [email protected]
📞 1800 008 664

08/10/2026

🏢 SETTING UP A COMPANY: WHAT STEPS ARE REQUIRED?

Starting a company involves more than registering a name. A company is a separate legal entity, so the structure, ownership, tax registrations and ongoing responsibilities should be established correctly from the beginning.

Here are the main steps in simple terms.

1. Decide whether a company is the right structure

A company may provide asset protection, taxation and growth benefits, but it also brings additional costs and compliance responsibilities.

Before proceeding, consider:

The type of business you will operate
Expected income and profit
The number of owners
Asset-protection requirements
How money will be paid to the owners
Future growth or investment plans

A company structure is not automatically suitable for every business.

2. Choose the company name

You can register a new company name or use the company’s Australian Company Number as its name.

The proposed name must be available and cannot be identical to an existing registered name. Registering a company name does not automatically provide trademark protection.

If the company will trade under a different name, a separate business name registration may also be required.

3. Decide who will be the directors

Every Australian proprietary company must have at least one director who ordinarily lives in Australia.

Directors are legally responsible for the company and must understand their obligations, including:

Acting in the company’s best interests
Keeping appropriate financial records
Ensuring the company can pay its debts
Meeting tax and reporting obligations
Avoiding insolvent trading

Each director must obtain a Director Identification Number before being appointed.

4. Decide who will own the company

The owners of a company are its shareholders.

Before registration, you need to decide:

Who the shareholders will be
How many shares each shareholder will receive
The type or class of shares
The amount paid or owing for the shares
Whether a shareholders’ agreement is required

The share structure should reflect the intended ownership and should not be changed casually after registration.

5. Confirm the company addresses

The company must have:

A registered office address
A principal place of business
Addresses for its directors and shareholders

The registered office must be a physical Australian address—not simply a post office box. Written consent is required if the company does not occupy the registered office address.

6. Decide on the company rules

A company can operate under:

The replaceable rules in the Corporations Act
Its own constitution
A combination of both

A constitution explains how the company will operate and how decisions will be made. Companies with multiple shareholders may also need a separate shareholders’ agreement.

7. Register the company with ASIC

The registration application includes details of the company’s:

Name
Directors and secretary, if applicable
Shareholders
Share structure
Registered office
Principal place of business

Once registered, the company receives an Australian Company Number—or ACN and a certificate of registration.

8. Apply for tax and business registrations

Depending on its activities, the company may need:

An Australian Business Number
A Tax File Number
GST registration
PAYG withholding registration
Fringe Benefits Tax registration
A registered business name

GST registration is generally required when the company’s GST turnover reaches or is expected to reach $75,000.

9. Open a company bank account

A company should have its own bank account. Company income and expenses should not be mixed with the personal transactions of directors or shareholders.

Money cannot simply be taken from a company as personal drawings. Payments to directors and shareholders must be correctly treated as wages, dividends, expense reimbursements, loan repayments or properly documented loans.

10. Establish the accounting and record-keeping systems

Before the company begins trading, it should have systems for:

Invoicing and customer payments
Recording income and expenses
Payroll and Single Touch Payroll
Superannuation
GST and Business Activity Statements
Asset purchases
Director and shareholder loans
Retaining receipts and business records

Setting these systems up correctly from the beginning can prevent significant tax and bookkeeping problems later.

11. Arrange licences, insurance and agreements

Depending on the business, the company may also need:

Industry licences and permits
Workers compensation insurance
Public liability or professional indemnity insurance
Employment agreements
Customer and supplier contracts
Privacy and cybersecurity procedures
A domain name and trademark protection
12. Understand the ongoing obligations

After registration, the company will generally need to:

Review its ASIC annual statement
Pay the annual ASIC review fee
Pass and retain a solvency resolution
Notify ASIC of relevant changes
Lodge company tax returns
Lodge activity statements
Maintain financial and company records
Meet payroll, superannuation and employment obligations

⚠️ Important: A company is separate from its directors and shareholders. Its money and assets belong to the company and must be managed accordingly.

Blue Orchid Accounting can assist with establishing the company, preparing the registration documents, arranging the relevant tax registrations and setting up the accounting framework.

Company registration costs are payable upfront before the registration is processed.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au

Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal tax, financial or legal advice.

06/10/2026

Apply through the official Australian Business Registry Services website:

https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/apply-director-identification-number

Please do not delay. Director ID registration is the personal legal responsibility of each director.

04/10/2026

🏢 CLOSING DOWN A COMPANY: WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Closing a company involves more than simply stopping work or closing the bank account. Until the company is formally deregistered with ASIC, it continues to exist and may still have tax, reporting and annual review obligations.

Here is the process in simple terms.

1. Stop trading and finalise outstanding work

The company should:

* Issue any final invoices
* Collect outstanding customer payments
* Pay suppliers and other creditors
* Complete existing contracts
* Cancel leases, subscriptions, insurance and business licences
* Sell or transfer business assets correctly
* Resolve any director or shareholder loan accounts

Money or assets should not simply be transferred to the directors or shareholders without first considering the tax consequences.

2. Finalise employees

If the company has employees, it may need to:

* Provide the required notice of termination
* Pay final wages
* Pay unused annual leave and other entitlements
* Determine whether redundancy payments apply
* Pay all outstanding superannuation
* Finalise employees through Single Touch Payroll
* Issue any required employment separation information

Employee entitlements must be addressed before the company can be voluntarily deregistered.

3. Complete the final accounts and tax obligations

The company may need to lodge:

* Outstanding Business Activity Statements
* Instalment Activity Statements
* A final company income tax return
* Final payroll and PAYG withholding reports
* Taxable Payments Annual Reports, where applicable
* Any outstanding superannuation reporting

The final tax return must be marked as a final return.

Any GST, PAYG withholding, income tax, superannuation or other liabilities must be paid or properly addressed.

4. Deal with remaining assets and money

Before deregistration, the company must deal with all remaining assets, including:

* Bank account balances
* Motor vehicles and equipment
* Stock
* Outstanding customer debts
* Loans owed to the company
* Tax refunds and franking credits
* Intellectual property and business names

Any final distribution to shareholders may have income tax, dividend, franking or capital gains tax consequences.

Do not close the company bank account too early. The company may still need to receive customer payments or tax refunds and pay final expenses.

5. Cancel registrations

Once all required lodgements and payments have been completed, the company may need to cancel its:

* GST registration
* PAYG withholding registration
* Australian Business Number
* Business names
* Industry licences and permits

Cancelling an ABN does not automatically deregister the company with ASIC. These are separate processes.

6. Apply to ASIC for voluntary deregistration

A company may generally apply for voluntary deregistration when:

✅ All members agree to deregister the company
✅ The company is no longer conducting business
✅ The company’s assets are worth less than $1,000
✅ The company has no outstanding liabilities
✅ The company is not involved in legal proceedings
✅ All ASIC fees and penalties have been paid

An application is then lodged with ASIC. ASIC publishes a notice of the proposed deregistration and, provided there are no objections, the company may be deregistered after the required notice period.

What if the company cannot pay its debts?

If the company cannot pay its debts when they are due, voluntary deregistration is generally not appropriate.

The directors should obtain advice from a registered liquidator or insolvency professional. Continuing to trade while insolvent can expose directors to serious consequences.

⚠️ Important: Stopping work does not automatically close a company. If it remains registered, ASIC annual review fees, tax lodgements and other compliance obligations may continue.

Closing a company should be carefully planned so that tax, employee, creditor and ASIC requirements are properly completed.

Blue Orchid Accounting can assist with final accounts, tax returns, activity statements, deregistration preparation and the orderly closure of your company.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au

Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal tax, legal or insolvency advice.

30/09/2026

🏠 WORKING FROM HOME? KEEP THE RIGHT RECORDS

Working from home may allow you to claim a tax deduction for additional expenses you incur while performing your employment duties. However, working from home does not automatically make every household expense deductible.

To claim a deduction, you must:

✅ Be working from home to perform your employment duties—not simply checking occasional emails.

✅ Have personally incurred additional expenses.

✅ Not have been reimbursed by your employer.

✅ Keep appropriate records to support your claim.

Fixed-rate method

For the 2025–26 financial year, the ATO fixed rate is 70 cents for each hour worked from home.

This rate covers:

Electricity and gas for heating, cooling and lighting
Home and mobile phone usage
Internet expenses
Stationery
Computer consumables, including printer ink and paper

These expenses are already included in the hourly rate and cannot be claimed separately.

You may still be able to claim eligible expenses outside the fixed rate, including the decline in value of a computer, office furniture and other work-related equipment.

What records must you keep?

The ATO requires a record of the actual hours worked from home throughout the entire financial year. Estimates based on an average week are not sufficient.

Your records may include:

📅 Timesheets or rosters
📓 A diary or work log
📊 A spreadsheet recording your hours
📱 Records from a time-tracking application
🗓️ Calendar entries showing when you worked from home

You must also retain evidence that you incurred the expenses covered by the hourly rate. This could include at least one electricity, telephone or internet bill and receipts for stationery or computer consumables.

Receipts and invoices must also be retained for equipment, furniture, repairs and other items claimed separately.

Actual-cost method

Alternatively, you may calculate the actual additional costs of working from home. This method requires more detailed records, including:

Electricity and gas bills
Phone and internet bills
Receipts and invoices
Work-related usage calculations
Records of hours worked from home
Depreciation calculations for equipment and furniture

Only the work-related portion can be claimed. Private and household use must be excluded.

⚠️ Employees generally cannot claim rent, mortgage interest, council rates or home insurance simply because they work from home. Different rules may apply where the home is genuinely used as a place of business, and this may also have capital gains tax implications.

Good records are essential. Without adequate documentation, your working-from-home deduction may be reduced or disallowed.

Blue Orchid Accounting can review your records and determine the most appropriate calculation method for your circumstances.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au

Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal tax or financial advice.

29/09/2026

💳 CARD SURCHARGES END FROM 1 OCTOBER 2026

From tomorrow, Australian businesses must stop adding card-payment surcharges to transactions made using:

• eftpos
• Visa debit, credit and prepaid cards
• Mastercard debit, credit and prepaid cards
• American Express
• PayPal
• UnionPay

This means businesses can no longer separately pass merchant-processing fees on to customers as a percentage or fixed card surcharge. However, payment providers may continue charging businesses merchant and transaction fees.

What should businesses do now?

✅ Remove card surcharges from payment terminals and online payment systems
✅ Update invoices, engagement letters, websites and customer notices
✅ Review recurring-payment and direct-debit arrangements
✅ Check whether accounting software automatically adds a merchant fee
✅ Review pricing to ensure card-processing costs are appropriately factored into general prices
✅ Contact your payment provider if you are unsure whether surcharging has been disabled

The changes apply specifically to fees charged because a customer pays by card. Genuine weekend, public-holiday, booking or service fees are not automatically prohibited, but they must be properly disclosed and must not simply be renamed card surcharges.

Business owners should review their payment arrangements now to ensure they are compliant from 1 October 2026.

If you need assistance reviewing your invoicing, payment processing or business pricing, contact Blue Orchid Accounting.

🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au
📧 [email protected]

Blue Orchid Accounting
Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

28/09/2026

💜 SOLE TRADERS: CAN YOU CLAIM YOUR SUPER AS A TAX DEDUCTION?

Unlike employees, sole traders are not required to pay superannuation for themselves. However, making personal super contributions can help build your retirement savings and may also provide a valuable tax deduction.

A sole trader may be eligible to claim a deduction for personal contributions paid into a complying superannuation fund. The deduction is claimed in the individual income tax return—not as a business expense in the sole trader’s profit and loss statement.

To claim the deduction:

✅ The contribution must be received by your super fund by 30 June.

✅ You must submit a valid Notice of Intent to Claim a Tax Deduction to your super fund.

✅ Your super fund must acknowledge the notice before your tax return is lodged.

✅ The contribution must remain within the applicable concessional contribution limits.

Once the deduction is claimed, the contribution is generally taxed within the super fund at 15%. Depending on your personal tax rate and circumstances, this may produce a tax benefit while increasing your retirement savings.

⚠️ Important: Simply transferring money into your super fund does not automatically make it tax-deductible. The required notice must be completed correctly and within the applicable timeframe.

If you employ workers, their compulsory superannuation is separate from your personal contribution. Employee superannuation must be paid in accordance with the employer super guarantee requirements.

Before making a large contribution, speak with your accountant and financial adviser. Contribution limits, age requirements, carry-forward rules and your overall financial position should be considered.

Blue Orchid Accounting can assist with the tax treatment and reporting of your personal super contributions.

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au

Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice.

24/09/2026

When was your last business compliance check-up?

Just like a regular health check, reviewing your business obligations can help identify potential issues before they develop into costly problems.

Take a few minutes to review your:

1️⃣ Business licences, registrations and permits
2️⃣ Workplace policies, procedures and processes
3️⃣ Cybersecurity and data-protection practices
4️⃣ Fair trading obligations and consumer rights
5️⃣ Tax, payroll, superannuation and record-keeping obligations

💡 A proactive review of your compliances can highlight gaps, reduce business risk and help keep your business on track.

If you are unsure whether your business records and financial obligations are up to date, contact Blue Orchid Accounting for practical, reliable and personalised support.

Practical. Reliable. Personalised.

22/09/2026

🚗 FBT ON BUSINESS MOTOR VEHICLES — WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Does your company own or lease a vehicle that an employee or director can use privately?

If the answer is yes, your business may have a Fringe Benefits Tax—or FBT—obligation.

When can FBT apply?

FBT may apply when a business vehicle is:

✅ Used for private trips
✅ Available for private use
✅ Taken home or garaged at an employee’s or director’s home
✅ Used by the employee’s family
✅ Provided under a salary-packaging arrangement

A vehicle does not need to be used privately every day. Simply making it available for private use can be enough to create an FBT liability.

Travel between home and work is generally considered private travel, although limited exemptions may apply to certain commercial vehicles.

How is car FBT calculated?

There are two main calculation methods:

1. Statutory formula method

This method generally uses the vehicle’s base value, the number of days it was available for private use and the applicable statutory percentage.

2. Operating cost method

This method uses the vehicle’s actual operating costs and the percentage of private use. A valid 12-week logbook and supporting records are generally required.

The method producing the best outcome will depend on the vehicle, its value, its operating costs and the level of private use.

Are utes and commercial vehicles exempt?

Not automatically.

Certain utes, vans and other eligible commercial vehicles may qualify for an FBT exemption where private use is limited to:

➡️ Travel between home and work
➡️ Travel incidental to employment duties
➡️ Other private use that is minor, infrequent and irregular

Regular weekend trips, holidays, school drop-offs or unrestricted family use may place the exemption at risk.

What about electric vehicles?

Eligible battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles may qualify for the electric-car FBT exemption when all legislative conditions are satisfied.

However, an exempt electric-vehicle benefit may still need to be calculated and reported as a reportable fringe benefits amount on the employee’s income statement.

The exemption generally no longer applies to a plug-in hybrid vehicle from 1 April 2025, unless a qualifying financially binding commitment was already in place and the transitional requirements are satisfied.

What records should the business keep?

Businesses should retain:

📌 Purchase or finance documents
📌 Registration and insurance records
📌 Fuel and charging expenses
📌 Repairs and servicing costs
📌 A valid logbook, where applicable
📌 Odometer readings
📌 Employee declarations
📌 Details of employee contributions
📌 Records showing when the vehicle was available for private use

The FBT year runs from 1 April to 31 March, which is different from the standard financial year.

Do not assume that purchasing a vehicle through the company automatically makes all vehicle use tax-free. The vehicle’s classification, availability and actual usage must all be considered.

If your business provides vehicles to employees or directors, contact Blue Orchid Accounting to review your records and determine whether an FBT return is required.

🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au

This information is general in nature and does not constitute taxation advice. FBT outcomes depend on the vehicle, arrangement and individual circumstances.

20/09/2026

💼 FRINGE BENEFITS TAX (FBT) — EXPLAINED IN SIMPLE TERMS

Fringe Benefits Tax, commonly known as FBT, is a tax that may apply when an employer provides an employee or their associate with a benefit in addition to their normal salary or wages.

Unlike income tax, FBT is generally paid by the employer—not the employee.

Common fringe benefits may include:

🚗 Allowing an employee to use a business vehicle privately
🏠 Paying or reimbursing private expenses
💳 Providing discounted goods, services or loans
🅿️ Providing certain car-parking benefits
🎉 Paying for entertainment, meals or functions
📦 Providing benefits through a salary-packaging arrangement

How does FBT work?

The employer must determine the taxable value of the benefits provided, apply any available exemptions or reductions, calculate the FBT liability and lodge an FBT return where required.

The FBT year is different from the normal financial year. It runs from:

📅 1 April to 31 March

Does every benefit attract FBT?

No. Some benefits may be exempt or receive concessional treatment, including certain work-related items, minor benefits and eligible electric vehicles. However, the conditions can be very specific, so each benefit must be reviewed carefully.

What does “reportable fringe benefits” mean?

If an employee receives certain fringe benefits with a total taxable value above the reporting threshold, a grossed-up amount may appear on their income statement.

The employee does not pay income tax on this reported amount. However, it may affect calculations for government benefits, Medicare levy surcharge, child support, HELP repayments and other income-tested obligations.

Why are records important?

Employers should retain supporting documentation such as:

✅ Motor-vehicle logbooks
✅ Expense receipts and invoices
✅ Employee declarations
✅ Details of private and business use
✅ Salary-packaging agreements
✅ Records of employee contributions

FBT can easily be overlooked—particularly where business vehicles are available for private use or personal expenses are paid through the business.

If your business provides benefits to employees or directors, now is the time to review your records and determine whether an FBT return may be required.

Contact Blue Orchid Accounting for assistance with reviewing your FBT obligations.

🌐 www.blueorchidaccounting.com.au

This information is general in nature and does not constitute taxation advice. Individual circumstances and eligibility requirements must be considered.

Blue Orchid Accounting

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

06/10/2026

04/10/2026

30/09/2026

29/09/2026

28/09/2026

24/09/2026

22/09/2026

20/09/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm