Some businesses pay their employees a combination of cash and other benefits (such as private use of a car that is owned or leased by the business).

If you pay your employees non-cash benefits (known as fringe benefits), you need to register for and pay Fringe benefits tax (FBT).

FBT can be tricky so if you’re unclear about what you need to do or what your responsibilities are the ATO is providing a free webinar on Tuesday, 22 March at 2pm.

They’ll be covering topics like:

• what fringe benefits must be reported
• how to lodge your FBT return
• how to calculate and pay your FBT
• recent changes to FBT rules.

Join this free webinar and get your questions answered. Be sure to register early as places are limited.

For further details click here.

To register for this webinar click here.

Please keep in mind there is just over 15 weeks left of this financial year. If you need to have maintained a logbook for the 2015/16 year then you only have 15 weeks left for a 12 week logbook.

Keeping in mind you can only claim cents-per-kilometre or logbook method from the 2015/16 financial year.

Do you know one of the easiest ways to help your business is to lodge your BAS on time, every time?

This includes lodging your BAS by the due date even if you can’t pay on time or you have nothing to report.

Not only can you avoid late lodgment penalties of $180 or more, you can also better manage your payments and keep your debt from growing.

Here are some handy tips to help you lodge and pay your BAS on time:

• set yourself due date reminders using our key dates tools in the ATO app or the Small business newsroom
• lodge your quarterly BAS online to gain a two week deferral of your due date
• work out how much you’ll owe early on so you have more time to set aside your payment
• pre-pay amounts towards your expected tax bill or pay early if you know you’ll be away on the due date.

If you need support with your payments you can phone us on 13 28 66. We’ll work with you to find the best possible solution for your situation.

Make the right move for your business and start 2016 on the right track. Lodge your BAS on time, every time this year.

Next step:
Download the key dates relevant to you from the Small business newsroom calendar or get the ATO app to use the key dates tool on the go.

​For further details please click here.

From 1 July 2015, car expense deductions for individuals were simplified.

​If you pay your employees a car allowance, you need to withhold tax on the amount you pay over 66c per kilometre.

​If you want further details click here.

The government has made changes to the cents per kilometre method. From 1 July 2015, separate rates based on the size of the engine are no longer available. You use a single rate of 66 cents per kilometre for all motor vehicles for the 2015–16 income year. The Commissioner of Taxation will determine the rate for future income years.

Click here for further details.