Frequently Asked Questions

Individual returns start from A$149. Business returns are quoted based on complexity. All fees are discussed upfront with no surprises, and are tax-deductible in the following year.

Yes. We offer a fully remote service. Email or WhatsApp your documents and we handle everything electronically. Many of our clients across regional NT use this service with excellent results.

The ATO typically processes refunds within 2–14 business days after lodgement. We always lodge promptly so your refund arrives as quickly as possible, deposited directly into your nominated bank account.

Yes. We handle overdue returns and can often negotiate with the ATO to reduce or waive penalties. There is no time limit for lodging, but acting sooner limits interest accumulation.

For Australian tax residents, the first $18,200 of taxable income each financial year is tax-free. Above that, progressive marginal rates apply. We factor this — plus any offsets you're entitled to — into every return we prepare.

Common deductions include work-related car, travel, uniform, tools, home office and self-education expenses, as well as income protection insurance and donations to registered charities. You must have kept records and the expense must directly relate to earning your income — we review your situation individually rather than applying a generic checklist.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applies when you sell most assets acquired after 20 September 1985 for more than their cost base — shares, investment property and business assets are the most common examples. Your main residence is usually exempt. If you've held the asset for over 12 months, individuals generally qualify for a 50% CGT discount on the gain. We calculate this correctly and factor in any available exemptions or offsetting losses.

You must register when your annual turnover reaches or is likely to reach $75,000 (or $150,000 for non-profits). We can handle your GST registration and set up your BAS obligations from day one.

Most small businesses lodge quarterly. Standard due dates are 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July. As your BAS agent, we receive extended lodgement dates and notify you before every deadline.

We are Xero Certified Advisors and MYOB Certified Partners. We also work with QuickBooks and Reckon. We can help you choose the right platform for your business and configure it correctly from the start.

Your Business Activity Statement (BAS) reports GST, PAYG withholding and other obligations to the ATO, usually quarterly or monthly. Your tax return reports your full year's income and deductions and is lodged annually to calculate your actual income tax payable. Most businesses need to lodge both.

Bookkeeping (recording day-to-day transactions, reconciling accounts, running payroll) and accounting (tax strategy, financial reporting, compliance) are related but different skill sets. We offer both under one roof, so your books stay accurate year-round and your tax position is never a surprise at year end.

Payroll tax is a state/territory tax (not a federal ATO tax) charged on wages once your business's total Australian wages exceed the relevant threshold, which varies by state and changes periodically. Many small NT businesses fall under the threshold entirely. We can confirm your obligations and register you if required.

We are based in Stuart Park, Darwin and service clients across the entire NT. Our remote service capability means we regularly work with clients in Palmerston, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and beyond.

Absolutely. All client information is handled in strict confidence in accordance with our professional obligations, Australian Privacy Principles and our Privacy Policy. We never share your information without your consent.

Contact us immediately. As your registered tax agent, we can represent you, respond to ATO correspondence, gather supporting documentation and manage the entire process on your behalf.

It depends on your income level, asset protection needs, and growth plans. Sole trader structures are simplest and cheapest to run but offer no personal asset protection; companies offer liability protection and a flat tax rate but more compliance; trusts offer flexibility in distributing income. We assess your specific situation before recommending a structure.

Company registration is completed through ASIC and requires choosing a company name, appointing directors, setting a registered office, and obtaining an ACN, TFN and typically an ABN. As part of our business set-up advisory service, and as your ASIC registered agent, we prepare and lodge the registration on your behalf once we've agreed on the right structure for your business.

Yes, if you're carrying on a business or supplying goods and services as a sole trader, you generally need an Australian Business Number (ABN). Without one, other businesses may be required to withhold tax from payments to you at the top marginal rate. As part of your business set-up, we can prepare and lodge your ABN application and confirm your eligibility.

A Virtual CFO service gives growing businesses access to senior financial guidance — cash flow forecasting, budgeting, KPI tracking and strategic planning — without the cost of a full-time in-house CFO. It suits businesses that have outgrown basic bookkeeping and need proactive, forward-looking advice rather than just compliance.

Setting up a discretionary (family) trust involves drafting a trust deed, appointing a trustee (individual or corporate), and obtaining a TFN and ABN for the trust. Trusts can offer flexibility for distributing income to beneficiaries and asset protection benefits, but they add an extra layer of compliance and annual trust tax return obligations.

Ideally well before 30 June — tax planning is about the decisions you make during the year (timing of income and expenses, super contributions, asset purchases), not just how the return is prepared afterwards. We recommend a pre-EOFY review in April or May so there's still time to act on our recommendations.