10 essential tasks for the end of the financial year

The end of the financial year is an important time for SMEs, with bookkeeping, tax returns and planning to be completed for the new financial year. Putting the hard work in each financial year can help you get your business organised and work smarter in the year ahead.

Firms should also consider planning for the end of year as well, writing off any debtors or assets before the year ends to claim a tax deduction.

As recommended by business.gov.au, here are some essential tasks for your end of financial (EOFY) year to-do list:

Record keeping and compliance

Some of your yearly tasks as a small business owner may include:

• a summary of income and expenses in a profit and loss statement
• conducting a stocktake. See the Stocktakes page on the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website to learn more about stocktakes and tax
• summaries of your record of debtors and creditors
• collating records of asset purchases or expenditure on improvements to calculate depreciation expense claims and for capital gains tax purposes
• completing and lodging your income tax returns
• lodging yearly reports or returns for PAYG withholding, fringe benefits tax (FBT), Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the taxable payments reporting system
• meeting superannuation requirements.

If you are unsure about your obligations, visit the Australian Tax Office, call the ATO on 13 28 66, or talk to your tax professional.

Find out what tax deductions you can claim

Be sure to do your homework and know exactly what tax deductions you can claim. You may be able to claim deductions if your business:

• has set up a website
• has motor vehicle expenses
• uses diesel fuel
• operates at home
• has travel expenses
• uses machinery, tools or computers.

If you are a sole trader, look at using the ATO’s mydeductions app to record your expenses during the year.

Use a registered tax agent

Check your tax agent is registered with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). You are taking a big risk by using an unregistered tax or Business Activity Statement (BAS) agent.

Keep up to date with tax changes starting next financial year

There may be tax changes each year that you need to be aware of. These might include changes in tax law and deductions for small business.

Your tax professional can help you understand any changes. You can also keep up to date by subscribing to the ATO’s small business newsroom.

Be wary of tax refund scams

There are a number of scams that target small business around tax time. Common tax time scams include:

• tax refund scams where the scammer will claim you have overpaid your taxes and are eligible for a refund. However, in order for you to receive this refund, they will claim that you need to pay a fee for administration or transfer costs.
• tax owed scams where the scammer will claim that you’ve underpaid your tax and will need to repay the amount you owe immediately. In order to make this payment, they request your credit or debit card details, or ask you to send money through a money transfer.

Read more about scams targeting business and how you can protect your business.

Review your finances

Sit down with your accountant or bookkeeper and review your finances.

Look at whether you met your targets and what you can do differently next financial year. Create a cash flow forecast to manage any potential shortfalls and ensure you can still pay your staff and suppliers.

Read our tips for improving your business financial position and managing your finance.

Review and update your business and marketing plans

Take time to set yourself up for the year ahead. Regularly reviewing and updating your plans will help you to:

• remind yourself of your goals and priorities
• assess whether your strategies are working
• adapt to any new changes in your environment
• make the most of new opportunities as they come your way
• prioritise and maximise your effort (work smarter, not harder!).

Find out more about business and marketing plans and download our free templates and tools.

Review your business structure

As your business grows and expands, you may decide to change your business structure, or to restructure your business. There are different compliance and taxation regulations depending on your business structure.

Read about the tax differences between a sole trader and a company structure.

Find out more about changing business structures.

Review your insurance

Check that your business has the right insurances in place. If your circumstances change, you may need to update your level of cover.

Read the product disclosure statements (PDS) for your insurance policies carefully – don’t assume you’re covered. Look up certain terms such as floods as the definition may vary among insurers.

Consider getting an insurance broker. A broker will work with your business to ensure it gets the best deal from an insurance company.

Find out more about insurance for your business.

Backup and secure your files

Backup and store your registration, financial and customer data, and other important business documents in a secure off-site location. This can help ensure your business can stay up and running during events such as natural disasters.

Read more information on how to protect your business from unexpected events.

Also consider the online or ‘cloud’ software service on the ATO website.