A helpful hand for small business at tax time

Sunshine Coast Council has formed a unique partnership with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to offer Sunshine Coast small business operators a special and helpful opportunity, in a location that’s convenient for you.

Small business operators will have the chance between 1 to 8 August to obtain free and confidential one-on-one taxation advice directly from experienced ATO field officers – and confidentiality is fully protected by the Commissioner’s guarantee.

Economic Development and Council Entrepreneurship Portfolio Councillor Lew Brennan said this was a unique opportunity for existing – or potential – business operators to get free taxation advice directly from the best source: the ATO itself.

"The meetings with ATO field officers are covered under the Commissioner’s Guarantee – which means everything said and all information provided during the meeting is kept confidential and cannot be used by the ATO at a later time," Cr Brennan said.

"The ATO is seeking to reach all businesses who need some help in this area and the Sunshine Coast Council has been pleased to make this service available right across the region so that it is accessible locally to all coast businesses.

"Both Council and the ATO recognise that small businesses in particular have been doing it tough during the current economic downturn."

"This is a great opportunity to get free assistance for your business from experienced and understanding experts in the field of small business tax," he said.

Diarise now to make an appointment (see below) so you can meet with officers from 1 to 8 August to work through any issues including: assistance with record keeping, preparation and lodgement of Business Activity Statements (BAS), GST registration, ATO debts, outstanding lodgements, PAYG, superannuation, online services and other issues.

Appointments are available at Cooroy, Noosa, Maroochydore, Kawana, Caloundra, Nambour, Beerwah and Maleny, or at the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre at Sippy Downs.

The ATO will also be hosting two workshop style evening seminars guiding business operators through the BAS process.

Booking enquiries for the meetings and seminars can be made now by going to council's website.