Spring has Sprung!

One of Chris’ favourite seasons has finally arrived.

Coming out of the gloom of Winter, we start to shed the cold, dark days as we move towards our warmer weather and longer daylight days.

Everyone seems to appear happier, lots of smiling faces and so much to look forward to as the promise of better days ahead, beckons.

Chris flies out to Thailand on Sunday 6th September as part of the riders supporting Hands Across the Water’s 500kms in 5 days charitable fundraising bike ride.

He will be creating some Facebook Live broadcasts on the journey so you can follow along on his Facebook page. Be sure to support and cheer him on, and if possible, scan the QR code on the map above and make a tax-deductible donation to support his fundraising efforts

Hopefully, by now, you have your plans for 2026 implemented and are working hard to achieve them. If you are still struggling to get started, please give us a call or check out January's edition of Taking Care of Your Business to see how we do it to get some ideas.

ATO alert: $21 billion in lost super

The ATO is urging individuals to check whether they have lost or unclaimed super, with more than $21 billion waiting to be reunited with its owners. Super can become lost when an account is inactive and the fund cannot contact the member, often following a change of job, address or phone number. In some cases, the balance may be transferred to the ATO to hold until it can be reunited with the individual. The ATO reports that last year, more than $1.1 billion was returned through consolidations and direct payments to eligible individuals. Editor: You can check for lost or unclaimed super in various ways, including through ATO online services. Alternatively, please contact us for assistance.

ATO motor vehicle registries data-matching program

The ATO is acquiring motor vehicle registries data from state and territory authorities from the 2026 to the 2030 income years. The information will be matched against ATO records to identify taxpayers who are not meeting their registration, lodgment, reporting, or payment obligations across a number of taxes (including GST, FBT, fuel tax credits and income tax). The data will also be used to support ATO compliance activities through modelling, risk profiling and case selection. The data collected may include identification details for purchasers, sellers and other relevant parties, together with transaction dates and types, sale prices, market values, vehicle garage addresses, intended use, vehicle specifications and registration details. The ATO expects to collect data relating to approximately 2.5 million individuals each financial year.

$1,000 standard deduction for work expenses

The ATO has recently updated its Employees' guide for work expenses to remind taxpayers that the new $1,000 standard deduction cannot be claimed for the 2026 income year.

From 1 July 2026 (i.e., in respect of the 2027 income year and later years), employees may choose either the standard deduction for work-related expenses of up to $1,000, or a deduction for the actual work-related expenses they incur.

Taxpayers should continue keeping records for deductible work expenses incurred from 1 July 2026.

If, at the end of the 2027 income year, they choose to claim their actual expenses, they must have the required written evidence for those expenses.

Do you need some accountability, extra motivation and guidance in 2027?

If so, reach out, and we can make you part of our new monthly Accountability Group of like-minded business owners who want to succeed and excel. We can also show you how our business coaching program - Chasers Getting Results^TM - works if you really want to take your business to the next level!.

Looking to start a business?
Get a copy of our latest book before you do to fast-track your success.

Or looking to grow your business in these tougher economic times?

Both books are for any aspiring entrepreneur who wants to grow their business and to understand what to look out for and avoid when they start their business, too!

The next Chasers Mastermind for 2026 commences on Friday 9th of October for those business owners who want to build a better business and be held accountable for the critical tasks that they want to implement to move forward and closer to achieving greater success.

Learn all of the essential components that make a successful business really take off! 

Your investment in this program will be $100 plus GST per week. You will be able to focus on specific areas for your business that need attention, collaborate on ideas and strategies in a group learning environment and share what’s working.

If you have not yet left a review for us on our Google Reviews, then now is the chance to do this and get 12 chances of winning a luxury 3-night holiday in Tropical Mackay in North Queensland. That’s right! By simply scanning this QR Code and following the instructions we will enter you in the monthly draw to win.

The winners so far in 2026/27 were:

• July - Helen Hadden

• August - KD Mackey

September's winner was:

If you are not successful in previous months, you will be automatically re-entered for the following month giving you up to 12 possible chances of winning this awesome holiday. As soon as you leave a review our Team will be notified and will enter your name in the draw. - Good luck!

The latest edition of our National Award-Winning Magazine – No. 25 - is now published and available for you to read. It features heaps of educational tips and ideas on how to increase the value of each transaction on products or services you sell to your customers, an inspiring story about our featured Chaser’s new entrepreneurs - Nut (Tar) Malarath from Madala 134 Thai Restaurant, and a brilliant article by Peter Baines OAM, the CEO and Founder of the awesome charity - Hands Across the Water, on how charitable giving can become a profit centre for your business, instead of being viewed as a cost centre.

Don’t forget to check out our latest podcast episodes on The Chasers Channel. The most recent episode 109 features a discussion about Your Company Work Ute is Not Exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax.

We release a new episode every Sunday, so make sure you follow our podcast to get the latest news, tips and strategies for bringing you closer to achieving the dreams you are chasing.

Key Dates September 2026

Lodge and pay August 2026 monthly business activity statement

Lodge PAYG withholding payment summary annual report if prepared by a BAS agent or tax agent, excluding large withholders whose annual withholding is greater than $1 million.

Lodge Annual TFN withholding report 2026 if a trustee of a closely held trust has been required to withhold amounts from payments to beneficiaries.

Tips for meeting the Payday Super timeframe

Under Payday Super, contributions must be received by an employee’s super fund within seven business days after payday.

To keep on track, the ATO recommends that employers:

• use the new member verification request ('MVR') to verify that an employee’s super fund details are valid and that the fund can accept a contribution before it is made;

• check with the relevant payroll provider or clearing house that the fund is responding to MVRs;

• monitor payments, as funds have three business days to allocate or reject a payment; and

• if a payment is rejected or returned, act quickly to correct any errors and resubmit to the correct fund.

For new employees, or where an employee changes their fund, employers generally have 20 business days to make the initial contribution.