Questions, answered.

We're a registered tax agent practice. We prepare and lodge individual and business tax returns, handle BAS, GST and payroll, keep your bookkeeping in order, look after the accounting and annual return for SMSFs, register companies and ABNs, and provide tax planning and advisory — all under one roof.

We're based in Shepparton North, Victoria, and look after individuals and businesses across the Goulburn Valley and all of Australia. Everything can be done remotely by phone, email, video and WhatsApp — you don't need to be local.

No — most clients never visit. We work entirely online. If you'd like to meet, our office is by appointment only, so please book a time first.

Onboarding is online and takes minutes. You sign your engagement letter electronically and verify your ID through a secure, encrypted link. Start onboarding here, or book a call first if you'd like a chat.

It's easier than most people expect. Tell us you'd like to move across and we request your records from your previous accountant and handle the handover professionally. Companies, trusts, partnerships and SMSFs also need to nominate us as their agent in ATO Online services for business — it's a step the ATO requires you to do yourself, and we show you how.

Fees depend on the complexity of your situation, so we agree a clear, fixed price with you before any work starts — no surprises. Call 0466 666 598 or request a quote for an obligation-free estimate.

Because a fair price depends on your circumstances — a simple salary return is very different from a company with payroll and several entities. We quote accurately for your situation rather than advertising a headline price that rarely fits.

Fees you pay a registered tax agent to manage your tax affairs are generally deductible in the income year you pay them — so the fee for this year's return is usually claimed in next year's return. We'll confirm what applies to you.

We agree the fee upfront and invoice you, with payment details on the invoice. We set out what's included before we begin.

If you lodge your own return it is due by 31 October (the next business day when that falls on a weekend — Monday 2 November in 2026). If you engage a registered tax agent before 31 October and your earlier returns are up to date, you will usually have a later due date under the ATO's lodgment program — for most individuals, 15 May of the following year. We confirm your due date when you join us.

Most income — and usually your private health insurance details — is pre-filled by the ATO. We'll also want your rental records, investment or crypto transactions, and details of work-related expenses. We send a short checklist tailored to your situation so you only gather what applies. See also our guide on what you can claim.

From the 2026–27 income year, eligible Australian residents with salary, wages or similar labour income automatically receive a standard deduction of up to $1,000 for work-related expenses, with no receipts needed. It is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the work-related expenses you claim, so if your work expenses are higher we claim the actual amount instead. It does not apply to 2025–26 returns. See our deductions guide.

The ATO says most returns lodged online are processed within 12 business days, although some take longer if they need manual checks. Any refund is paid to your nominated bank account, less anything the ATO must offset against an existing debt. We tell you your estimated position before we lodge.

Yes. We handle rental income and deductions (including depreciation), capital gains on shares and property, dividends and franking credits, and cryptocurrency gains and income reconciled from your exchange records.

From 1 July 2027, negative gearing for residential property investments is limited to new builds. Properties you already held at 7:30 pm AEST on 12 May 2026 are exempt from that change. We can go through how the rules apply to your properties when we prepare your return.

Yes, and there's no judgement. As a registered tax agent we can work from your ATO records to prepare and lodge the outstanding years and deal with the ATO on your behalf. Where there are genuine grounds we can also ask the ATO to remit penalties — that decision is the ATO's. See overdue returns & tax debt.

You must register within 21 days once your GST turnover — for the current month plus the previous 11, or the next 11 — reaches $75,000 ($150,000 for not-for-profit organisations). Taxi, limousine and ride-sourcing drivers must register whatever their turnover. We confirm your obligation and register you correctly.

Most small businesses lodge quarterly. Monthly lodgment is compulsory once GST turnover reaches $20 million, and some voluntarily registered businesses under the GST threshold can report annually. We confirm your cycle, prepare each BAS and remind you before it's due.

A BAS (Business Activity Statement) reports GST along with PAYG and other obligations. An IAS (Instalment Activity Statement) is used when you have obligations such as PAYG withholding or instalments but aren't reporting GST. We prepare both.

It depends on the entity and its lodgment history. Clients of a registered tax agent generally have a later due date under the ATO's lodgment program, provided earlier returns are up to date. We confirm the dates that apply to you and send reminders well ahead.

Yes — profit and loss, balance sheet and notes, prepared alongside your tax return and ready for your bank or a finance application.

Several measures from the 2026–27 Federal Budget are now law and apply from 1 July 2027: the 50% capital gains tax discount for individuals, trusts and partnerships is replaced by cost-base indexation with a 30% minimum tax on capital gains (for gains that accrue after that date), and negative gearing for residential property is limited to new builds, with properties held at 12 May 2026 exempt. A 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028 has been announced but is not yet law. Planning ahead of these dates is worthwhile — we can model how they affect you.

We work in Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks. If you already use one, we pick up where you are; if you're starting fresh, we recommend and set up the right platform, connect your bank feeds and train you to use it.

Yes. We review your file, reconcile the backlog, correct miscoded transactions and bring everything up to date — then keep it that way with regular bookkeeping.

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is the ATO's system for reporting wages, tax withheld and super information each time you pay staff, directly from your payroll software. We set it up and run it for you.

Since 1 July 2026 super guarantee is paid every payday, not quarterly. Under Payday Super the contribution must reach your employee's fund within 7 business days of payday (20 business days for the first contribution for a new employee). We calculate and report super on each pay run and help you pay it on time.

Yes. We prepare your fund's financial statements, member balances and the SMSF annual return (SAR), record contributions and pension payments, and coordinate the independent audit with you — helping the fund meet its lodgment and reporting obligations.

No. Every SMSF must be audited each year by an approved SMSF auditor who is registered with ASIC and independent of the firm that prepares the accounts. As trustee you appoint the auditor; we arrange this with you and prepare the working papers.

No. We provide accounting, tax and compliance — not financial product or investment advice (we don't hold an AFSL). For investment advice we can refer you to a licensed adviser.

It depends on your risk, income, growth plans and how you want to share profits. A sole trader is simple and inexpensive to run; a company offers limited liability (with some exceptions for directors) and is taxed at the company rate; a trust can offer flexibility in distributing income and, depending on how it is set up, a degree of asset protection. We compare the options and set up the structure that fits.

Yes. We register your company with ASIC and, as a registered tax agent, apply for your ABN, TFN, GST and PAYG. We also advise on structure and explain how to get your Director ID.

A Director ID is a unique identifier every company director must have. You must apply for it yourself — it's free, and no one, including a tax agent, can apply on your behalf. You apply online with Australian Business Registry Services, signing in with the myID app, before you are appointed as a director. We explain each step.

Under the ATO's client-to-agent linking rules, every entity with an ABN other than a sole trader — companies, trusts, partnerships, SMSFs and not-for-profits — must nominate a new tax agent in ATO Online services for business before the agent can act. We can't complete this step for you, but we show you how. Once you nominate us we have 28 days to add you as a client before the nomination expires (it can be extended). See our step-by-step guide.

We take the security of your information seriously. We handle it confidentially, in line with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, and we collect identification through a secure, encrypted link. We'll never ask you to send your ID, tax file number or bank details by email or social media.

No. We provide taxation and accounting services and aren't licensed to provide financial product advice under an AFSL. Where you need personal financial or investment advice, we can refer you to a licensed adviser.

Yes. SMT Accounting Pty Ltd is a Registered Tax Agent (No. 26266813) under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009, regulated by the Tax Practitioners Board. Verify us any time on the TPB public register at tpb.gov.au.