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Microsoft Windows 8.1 released:


Microsoft has released their new Operating System Windows 8.1. More info about the new OS can be found here.


Office 2013:


Microsoft are not only releasing a new OS but also releasing a new Office called Office 2013. More information regarding this can be found here regarding the new Office and what might be good for you!


Microsoft Server 2012:


To round off a large amount of new releases for Microsoft they are also about to release their new 2012 Server software. The new versions will bring many new changes and potential benefits especially in the Virtual Server space and also feature to help embrace Cloud computing further. More information can be read here regarding Microsoft 2012 Server software.

Employee or Contractor:    

Many businesses are getting it wrong.  Before engaging a worker you need to determine if they are an employee or a contractor because the tax and super obligations for employees and contracts are different.

The ATO has a Decision tool on its web site that you can work through to make sure that you make the right decision which is important because to use the ATO words:


“We also use a range of compliance strategies to identify and take action against businesses that want to avoid their obligations to their workers.”


Employee/contractor decision tool  is located at:


http://www.ato.gov.au/businesses


Depreciation for Small Business (aggregated turnover of less than $2 million net of GST):

These changes commences from the 1st July, 2012.


The ATO says:   


“the small business instant asset write-off threshold has increased from $1,000 to $6,500 small businesses can claim an accelerated initial deduction for motor vehicles acquired in 2012-13 and subsequent years the long life small business pool and the general small business pool have been consolidated into a single pool to be written off at one rate.”

Motor Vehicle

From the 2012-13 income year, you can choose to use the capital allowance provisions in Subdivision 328-D to calculate the deduction for a motor vehicle costing $6,500 or more that you start to use, or have installed ready for use, for a taxable purpose.

The cost of the motor vehicle is added to the general pool but unlike other assets, the deduction is $5,000 plus 15% of the remaining amount.”


GST:


“Do not treat a hire purchase agreement as a sale or purchase you make on a progressive or periodic basis. Treat a hire purchase agreement as a stand-alone sale or purchase in a tax period - so, the same rules apply as they would for any sale and purchase of goods under an ordinary sale agreement.”    ATO www.ato.gov.au