Can I Claim Travel, Meals, and Accommodation on My Tax Return in 2025? Gotax Publishing – 27 October 2025 Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Travel for Work? Know What You Can (and Can’t) Claim If you’ve travelled for work in the past year—whether it’s a conference, client visit, or overnight shift—you might be wondering: Can I claim those travel costs
What Tax Deductions Can I Claim as a New ABN Holder? Most new ABN holders underestimate how many tax deductions they’re entitled to claim. If you spent money to help you earn ABN income — or to get set up so you could earn income — there’s a good chance the expense is deductible. This applies even if your business hasn’t fully taken off yet. The key rule is s
What Receipts Do I Need to Keep for My ABN? Running an ABN means you’re allowed to claim business expenses — but only if you can prove them. The ATO doesn’t want essays or explanations. They want evidence. That evidence usually comes in the form of receipts, invoices, or transaction records that show what you spent and why it relates to earning your income. If you can&rs
ABN But No Income — Do I Still Need to Lodge? Holding an ABN doesn’t stop your tax obligations just because you didn’t earn money. If your ABN was active during the year, the tax system still expects a response — especially if you spent money setting up or running your business. Lodging keeps your record clean and ensures nothing is missed. This catches out a lot o
Do I Need GST for My New ABN? GST is one of the most misunderstood parts of starting an ABN, and it causes unnecessary stress for new business owners. The reality is much simpler than most people think. Most new ABN holders do not need GST, especially in their first year. Registering too early often creates paperwork and reporting obligations that provide no benefit. The key is knowing wh
Do I Need to Lodge a Tax Return if I Have an ABN? If you hold an ABN, lodging a tax return is not optional. Whether you earned income, spent money, or simply kept the ABN active during the year, the tax system expects a return to be lodged with a Business Schedule. This applies even if your ABN activity was small, irregular, or didn’t generate a profit. This is one of the most commo
Do I Need an ABN If I Also Have a Job? Having a regular job does not cancel out the need for an ABN. If you earn money under an ABN while also working as an employee, the tax system treats these as two separate income streams. They are reported differently during the year, but they come together at tax time. This is where many side-hustlers get caught out. Why Having a Job Doesn&rsqu
What to Do After Getting an ABN Getting an ABN is easy. Knowing what to do next is where most people slip up. Once your ABN is active, the tax system treats you as running a business — even if it’s just a side hustle or occasional work. That means a few responsibilities apply straight away, whether you’re aware of them or not. The key is understanding the correct order o
Can I Claim Business Expenses Without a Registered ABN? Gotax Publishing – 21 November 2025 Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Running a Business Without an ABN? Here’s What You Can (and Can’t) Claim If you’ve earned income from a side hustle, freelance gig, or informal business activity, you might be wondering: Can I still claim business expenses on my tax return
Sole Trader vs Company vs Trust vs Partnership: What’s the Difference? Gotax Publishing – 18 November2025 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Choosing a Business Structure? Here’s What You Need to Know Starting a business in Australia? One of your first—and most important—decisions is choosing the right structure. Should you register as a sole trader, compa