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The TXAS tax guide book · 2026–27 edition

Tax guides: the TXAS guide book for Australian tax

Plain-English guides written by the accountants at TXAS, a registered tax agent, sorted into chapters by topic. New guides every week, updated when the rules change.

Contents

Last new guide: 13 October 2026

Your tax return and deductions

Lodging your own return, the deductions people miss, and the rules for work-from-home and car claims.

Try the calculator: Income tax & refundWFH & car deductions

Can Your Side Hustle Losses Offset Your Salary? The Non-Commercial Loss RulesCan Your Side Hustle Losses Offset Your Salary? The Non-Commercial Loss RulesYou started an ABN on the side, spent more than you earned in the first year, and someone told you the loss will come off your…22 Sep 2026 · 7 min readCar & Travel Deductions: Cents-per-Km vs Logbook MethodCar & Travel Deductions: Cents-per-Km vs Logbook Method21 Aug 2026 · 6 min readHome Office Deductions 2026: The New Rules and What Records You NeedHome Office Deductions 2026: The New Rules and What Records You Need18 Aug 2026 · 6 min read2026 Tax Time in Australia: 8 Deductions Most Individuals Miss2026 Tax Time in Australia: 8 Deductions Most Individuals Miss24 Jul 2026 · 5 min readWork-From-Home Tax Deductions: What You Can Claim in 2025–26Work-From-Home Tax Deductions: What You Can Claim in 2025–2611 Jul 2026 · 3 min readHow to Lodge Your Individual Tax Return in Australia (2025–26 Guide)How to Lodge Your Individual Tax Return in Australia (2025–26 Guide)11 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Starting a business and choosing a structure

ABN and GST registration, and how sole traders, companies and trusts compare.

Try the calculator: ABN / GST / BAS checkerSole trader vs company vs trust

Family Trusts and Tax: A Practical Introduction for Business OwnersFamily Trusts and Tax: A Practical Introduction for Business OwnersA family trust is one of the most common structures Australian business owners are told to set up — and one of the least understood. People…28 Aug 2026 · 7 min readSole Trader vs Company: Which Structure Is Right for Your Melbourne BusinessSole Trader vs Company: Which Structure Is Right for Your Melbourne Business14 Aug 2026 · 6 min readGST Registration: When Your Business Must Register (and How)GST Registration: When Your Business Must Register (and How)11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readDo You Need an ABN? How to Register and When It’s RequiredDo You Need an ABN? How to Register and When It’s Required11 Jul 2026 · 3 min readSole Trader vs Company vs Trust: Which Business Structure Is Right for You?Sole Trader vs Company vs Trust: Which Business Structure Is Right for You?11 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

BAS, GST and bookkeeping

Lodging BAS on time, PAYG instalments, keeping clean books and claiming assets.

Try the calculator: GST calculatorABN / GST / BAS checker

Cash Flow & GST Compliance for Melbourne Hospitality & RetailCash Flow & GST Compliance for Melbourne Hospitality & RetailA cafe owner in Burwood asked me the question that defines this whole area: why does the same bread roll attract GST when someone eats it…1 Sep 2026 · 11 min readSmall Business BAS & GST: 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemSmall Business BAS & GST: 7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them28 Jul 2026 · 5 min readInstant Asset Write-Off: What Your Small Business Can ClaimInstant Asset Write-Off: What Your Small Business Can Claim11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readBookkeeping Basics for Melbourne Small BusinessesBookkeeping Basics for Melbourne Small Businesses11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readPAYG Instalments for Small Business: What They Are and How They WorkPAYG Instalments for Small Business: What They Are and How They Work11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readBAS Lodgement Explained: Deadlines, PAYG and Avoiding ATO PenaltiesBAS Lodgement Explained: Deadlines, PAYG and Avoiding ATO Penalties11 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Employers, payroll and super guarantee

Hiring staff, Single Touch Payroll, Payday Super, fringe benefits and Victorian payroll tax.

Try the calculator: Take-home payVIC payroll tax

EV FBT Exemption & Novated Leases: Is It Still Worth It in 2026?EV FBT Exemption & Novated Leases: Is It Still Worth It in 2026?Plenty of people have moved into an electric car through work over the last few years, paying the lease and the charging out of pre-tax salary.…2 Oct 2026 · 8 min readHiring Your First Employee: STP, Super, WorkCover and Every Obligation That Comes With ItHiring Your First Employee: STP, Super, WorkCover and Every Obligation That Comes With It15 Sep 2026 · 8 min readVictorian Payroll Tax: Thresholds, Rates and Exemptions Melbourne Employers Get WrongVictorian Payroll Tax: Thresholds, Rates and Exemptions Melbourne Employers Get Wrong11 Sep 2026 · 9 min readPayday Super Is Here: What Melbourne Employers Must Change From July 2026Payday Super Is Here: What Melbourne Employers Must Change From July 20264 Sep 2026 · 8 min readSingle Touch Payroll (STP): A Small Business Compliance GuideSingle Touch Payroll (STP): A Small Business Compliance Guide11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readFringe Benefits Tax (FBT): A Simple Guide for EmployersFringe Benefits Tax (FBT): A Simple Guide for Employers11 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Companies, directors and planning

Company tax rates and returns, Division 7A, end-of-year planning and selling a business.

Try the calculator: Company tax & frankingDivision 7A loans

Director ID & Director Penalty Notices: Your Personal Liability as a Company DirectorDirector ID & Director Penalty Notices: Your Personal Liability as a Company DirectorPlenty of people run a company believing its tax debts stay with the company. Some do not. Unpaid PAYG withholding, GST and super guarantee charge can…9 Oct 2026 · 5 min readSelling Your Business: The Four Small Business CGT Concessions ExplainedSelling Your Business: The Four Small Business CGT Concessions Explained25 Sep 2026 · 9 min readDivision 7A Explained: Loans From Your Company to Watch Out ForDivision 7A Explained: Loans From Your Company to Watch Out For11 Aug 2026 · 5 min readDiv 7A Loans Explained: Borrowing From Your Own CompanyDiv 7A Loans Explained: Borrowing From Your Own Company11 Jul 2026 · 3 min readCompany Tax Rates 2025–26: Base Rate Entities ExplainedCompany Tax Rates 2025–26: Base Rate Entities Explained11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readCompany Tax Returns in Australia: What Directors Need to KnowCompany Tax Returns in Australia: What Directors Need to Know11 Jul 2026 · 3 min readEOFY Tax Planning Checklist: Smart Moves Before 30 JuneEOFY Tax Planning Checklist: Smart Moves Before 30 June11 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Property, investments and capital gains

Rental property, negative gearing, CGT, shares, dividends, crypto and short-stay income.

Try the calculator: Capital gains taxNegative gearing

Airbnb & Short-Stay Income: Deductions, CGT and Victoria’s Short Stay LevyAirbnb & Short-Stay Income: Deductions, CGT and Victoria’s Short Stay LevyListing a spare room or an empty apartment on Airbnb is easy. Working out the tax on it is where people slip. The income side is…29 Sep 2026 · 8 min readDividends & Franking Credits: How Investment Income Is Really Taxed in AustraliaDividends & Franking Credits: How Investment Income Is Really Taxed in Australia18 Sep 2026 · 7 min readCrypto Tax in Australia: CGT, Record-Keeping and ATO Data MatchingCrypto Tax in Australia: CGT, Record-Keeping and ATO Data Matching4 Aug 2026 · 6 min readRental Property Tax Guide: Deductions, Depreciation & Negative GearingRental Property Tax Guide: Deductions, Depreciation & Negative Gearing31 Jul 2026 · 6 min readCapital Gains Tax Explained: Property, Shares and the 50% DiscountCapital Gains Tax Explained: Property, Shares and the 50% Discount11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readInvestment Property Tax in Australia: Negative Gearing, Deductions & CGTInvestment Property Tax in Australia: Negative Gearing, Deductions & CGT11 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Super and SMSF

Extra super contributions, carry-forward caps and whether an SMSF suits you.

Try the calculator: Super contribution caps

Boost Your Super, Cut Your Tax: Concessional & Carry-Forward ContributionsBoost Your Super, Cut Your Tax: Concessional & Carry-Forward ContributionsSuperannuation is one of the few genuinely powerful tax tools most Australians still leave on the table. Money that would otherwise be taxed at your marginal…7 Aug 2026 · 6 min readIs a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Right for You?Is a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Right for You?11 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

ATO rules, residency and records

Audit triggers, tax residency and foreign income, record keeping and choosing an accountant.

Try the calculator: Tax due dates

Medicare Levy Surcharge & Private Health Cover: The Income Maths That Decides ItMedicare Levy Surcharge & Private Health Cover: The Income Maths That Decides ItEvery tax season someone asks why they were charged extra when they never bought private health insurance. That extra is the Medicare levy surcharge (MLS). If…13 Oct 2026 · 4 min readHaven’t Lodged for Years? Overdue Returns, FTL Penalties and Voluntary DisclosureHaven’t Lodged for Years? Overdue Returns, FTL Penalties and Voluntary Disclosure6 Oct 2026 · 6 min readAustralian Tax Residency and Foreign Income: The Four Tests, CRS and the Traps That Catch People OutAustralian Tax Residency and Foreign Income: The Four Tests, CRS and the Traps That Catch People Out8 Sep 2026 · 8 min readATO Audit Red Flags: What Triggers a Review and How to Stay SafeATO Audit Red Flags: What Triggers a Review and How to Stay Safe25 Aug 2026 · 7 min readHow to Choose an Accountant in Melbourne: 7 Questions to AskHow to Choose an Accountant in Melbourne: 7 Questions to Ask11 Jul 2026 · 2 min readHow Long to Keep Tax Records in Australia (ATO Rules)How Long to Keep Tax Records in Australia (ATO Rules)11 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

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