• Business Growth & Optimisation

8 Tax Deductions Retailers Should Know About

7 min. read24.05.2021
By Team Zeller

Keep more money in your retail business by learning where you can reduce tax.

Running a retail business comes with many expenses. There are the initial costs of starting a shop — such as buying or renting equipment and obtaining necessary licenses — as well as ongoing costs, including staff salaries, inventory, rent or mortgage payments, and much more.

Bringing in a profit after all of these expenses can feel nearly impossible at times. However, familiarising yourself with all of the tax deductions potentially available to you will help to keep as much money as possible in your business, while complying with tax law.

Here are eight categories of retail tax deductions you should be aware of.

1. Product purchases

Everything sold in your store is tax deductible as a cost-of-sale. These products need to be purchased from somewhere, and the cost of stocking a store can be significant.

Whether you buy the products from a distributor as they are, or purchase the materials to make the products yourself, the purchases are tax deductible. Associated costs, such as packing and delivery costs, are also deductible.

Make sure to also write off any lost or damaged stock in order to claim a tax deduction.

2. Advertising and marketing costs

Advertising or marketing activities you undertake to publicise your retail store and sell stock are generally tax deductible, whether that’s social media ads, billboards, flyers, or another form of advertising that connects with your target market. Even business cards are tax deductible.

If you’re considering opening a retail store, or growing your existing retail store, it’s also worth noting that the cost of hiring a marketing consultant is also tax deductible.

One commonly missed deduction is the cost of advertising vacancies. Many retailers will have accumulated costs for finding and hiring new employees post-lockdown — these can be claimed as a deduction.

3. Business insurance

Business insurance is an essential expense for many businesses. However, there are many different types of insurance. For example, general liability insurance covers some of the costs a business may face in fighting a lawsuit, whereas loss of income insurance protects a business when an unexpected event or tragedy forces a business to close its doors and lose out on profits. Visit the Australian Government website to learn more about the different types of business insurance and what they cover.

Whether or not your business insurance expense is tax deductible will depend on your individual situation. As a general rule, retail business owners can claim a deduction for most operating expenses. Insurance premiums, including fire, burglary, accident or disability, professional indemnity, public risk, motor vehicle, loss of profits, or workers’ compensation are included in the definition of operating expenses. Just make sure the insurance policy is owned by the entity responsible for paying the expenses (i.e. you or your business).

4. Property costs

The rent you pay for the store itself is tax deductible. If you own the property the store operates from, the mortgage is a tax deduction — as is the land tax. Water, electricity and rates are also tax deductible expenses.

For retailers operating a solely online retail store, it’s worthwhile doing the maths to work out which of your home bills contain a portion of tax deductible expenses. Occupancy expenses, running expenses, as well as expenses involved in using your car to travel for business purposes — such as sourcing new stock — are all tax deductible.

5. Capital expenditures

A capital expenditure is something that improves existing business assets or overall business operations, and for that reason is usually tax deductible. Capital expenditures for retail stores can include:

and more.

The temporary full expensing scheme allows business with a turnover of less than $5 billion to immediately deduct the business portion of the cost of eligible depreciating assets. Those assets need to be first held, used or installed ready for use by 30 June 2023.

6. Staff salaries (including superannuation)

Retailers need staff to cover the floor, serve customers, process new stock arrivals, arrange merchandise and take inventory. The cost of staff can be considerable, especially if you require more senior employees such as floor managers and supervisors. Salaries should be competitive — otherwise, potential candidates will likely choose to work elsewhere, and you may find yourself spending time regularly hiring and training new staff. Luckily, staff wages are tax deductible.

As an employer, you are also required to pay any workers earning at least $450 per calendar month a contribution to their superannuation fund. These super contributions are also tax deductible. Sole traders can even claim a deduction for their own super contributions, through their personal tax return.

It’s also important to note that the 2021/22 Federal Budget contained a significant change to superannuation.

On 1 July, the super guarantee will increase by 0.5 per cent.

It will continue increasing by 0.5 per cent until it reaches 12 per cent, in 2025.

It's important to note that the, according to the ATO, all JobKeeper payments are treated as  ordinary income and should be declared as such. Where wages are paid on top of government payments, the normal rules for deductibility apply .

7. Fringe benefits

Providing fringe benefits is one way some businesses attract and retain quality employees.

A fringe benefit is a perk offered to a person specifically because they are a valued employee. These perks provide an additional incentive to work for a particular employer. Fringe benefits can be anything from insurance bundles to tuition reimbursement, or a parking space — which is generally highly valued by workers.

The cost of providing fringe benefits is generally tax deductible, so businesses can leverage this opportunity to attract and keep staff. If, like many Australian merchants, you are struggling to find and retain staff since reopening doors — keep this in mind for the next financial year.

8. Tax expenses

There are often costs associated with lodging taxes, including the price of hiring an accountant or bookkeeper to keep track of cash flow throughout the year, or working with a tax agent to lodge the necessary paperwork. Having a Business Activity Statement prepared is also tax deductible, as are the costs of complying with an ATO tax audit and objecting to a tax assessment you think is incorrect.

Bonus tax deductions for retailers

Considering upgrading your business' tech tools? If you've noticed inefficiencies in your tech stack, now's the time to make changes. The government's Small Business Technology Investment Boost enables you to claim an additional 20 per cent deduction for the cost of expenses and depreciating assets up to a maximum of $100,000 per annum.

If your EFTPOS terminal frequently drops out, for example, it might be time to upgrade to a machine that supports both Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. Zeller Terminal protects against internet outages by offering the ability to connect to Telstra's 3G and 4G network via Zeller Sim Card, so no matter where business takes you — you can accept payments from customers.

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There are also new bonus deductions to help you train new employees and upskill existing staff. For every $100 you spend, you can claim a $120 tax deduction through the Skills and Training Boost.

Both of these new measures were announced in the 2022/23 Federal Budget.

Tips for retail workers

We’ve gone over some of the expenses retail business owners can claim as tax deductions to save money when tax time rolls around — but what can employees of retail stores claim?

A retail employer should inform their employees about all of the deductions retail workers can claim on their income tax returns. Below are some expenses that often apply to retail workers.

  • Uniforms: If a retail worker has to purchase a job-specific uniform for work, that is considered a business expense, and it is often tax deductible. Clothes bought to match a dress code, such as khaki pants and a polo, are not tax deductible. However, more industry-specific items like a chef’s coat, police uniform or protective gear are generally tax deductible. Learn more about the qualifications for tax-deductible clothing items.

  • Travel expenses: Any transportation or lodging cost that a worker incurs for their job is considered a travel expense. These expenses are often tax deductible, whether it’s paying for a parking space or a hotel room for a work conference.

  • Equipment: Any equipment a retail employee must purchase for their job is a business expense, and likely tax deductible. Equipment can include something as expensive as a tablet or something as affordable as a clipboard.

  • Educational expenses: If an employee spends money on improving their knowledge and expertise within their field of employment, the money they spend could be considered an educational expense. This can range from conferences and seminars to classes and textbooks. For example, if you run a flower store, your employees might want to take part in a floristry course.

  • Home office expenses: Given the nature of a retail worker’s day to day tasks, this deduction may only apply to your managers and senior staff. Any staff expected to work from home can likely include deductions for costs associated with setting up their home office. This includes internet and telephone fees that are work related, as well as the cost of equipment like a desk, monitor, keyboard and more.

Preparing your business for tax time

The general rule of thumb is that most expenses incurred in the running of your business can be claimed as retail tax deductions — whether the costs are incurred in an effort to generate a profit, or protect the business’ assets.

The above guide is a brief overview of what both your retail business and your employees could be claiming. Make sure to consult a financial advisor or accountant to discuss your specific circumstances.

To fully prepare your business for the end of the financial year, schedule time to speak with your accountant or financial advisor. Please note this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute advice.

8 Small Business Money Management Tips

Here are a few simple steps to streamline the way you track your daily business expenses. Many merchants struggle to keep finances in order. Small business owners tend to wear multiple hats — from operations to HR, marketing and finance. There’s a lot to take care of, and it’s easy to understand why financial admin can slip to the bottom of the pile. Yet there are lots of good reasons why you should be tracking your business expenses. Aside from reducing the cognitive overload come tax time, keeping on top of your expenditure can you better manage cash flow and make informed, profit-building decisions for your business. Read on to discover some small steps you take as part of your day-to-day routine to keep on top of your business expenses. 1. Store your receipts properly Maximise your deductions at tax time by being diligent with retaining and documenting your receipts — your accountant will thank you. Keep your paper receipts in order by recording them in your accounting software, and then storing them systematically in the event of an audit. If you have a lot of paper receipts, consider converting them into digital formats (either by taking a photo or scanning them) to save on storage space, and prevent your receipts from fading or deteriorating over time. Alternatively, ask vendors to send you digital receipts via email or SMS — which is a money saver for them, and a space saver for you. Store your digital receipts securely, so that you can retrieve them as required. Just make sure that your system is backed up to avoid any heart-dropping mishaps. Most accounting software has the ability to attach the electronic receipt to the entry in your ledger, which makes it easy to search and retrieve the receipt as required. Zeller Dashboard tracks expenses in real time, and has a handy search function so that you can find specific transactions when you need them. 2. Open a separate business account Maintain a clear line between your personal spending and your business expenses by opening a separate business banking account — it’s one of the easiest ways to keep an eye on your spending. There are many good reasons why having a separate account is good for your business; it saves time, makes reconciling your expenses simpler, and it gives you greater visibility of what’s happening with your finances. It also means that you don’t have to explain your personal spending decisions to your accountant — or anyone else — come tax time. 3. Let accounting software do the heavy lifting Modern accounting software is more than a spreadsheet, it’s a complete system designed to keep you on track financially and save time. As such, there are many tasks that can be automated to reduce the amount of time you spend on bookkeeping. Most cloud accounting systems have the ability to connect directly with your bank feed, which updates your financial transactions in real time, and makes reconciling expenses a lot easier. Set aside a regular time each month, or more often if you have a lot of transactions, to go through your records and reconcile your expenses. If you use an expense tracking app throughout the day, your accounting software will intuitively match your bank records to the entry, and you’ll have minimal work to do. If you need help deciding which accounting software will meet your accounting requirements, read How to Choose The Right Accounting Software For Your Business . 4. Review your suppliers annually Brush up on your negotiation skills and you could save a few dollars. While some expenses may appear to be set in stone, in reality, there is usually room to negotiate to get a better deal for your business. Utility companies update their plans and pricing on a regular basis, so make it a priority to contact them every year to see if you’re on the best plan for your needs. Also consider bundling services, like your work phone and internet, to get a better deal and save. Loyalty can go a long way when it comes to negotiating with suppliers. If you’ve been trading with someone for a long time, keep an open dialogue with them about your needs. Most small business owners are prepared to be flexible in order to keep a loyal customer. And remember, not all negotiations have to be about money. You might not be able to barter on the price point, but you might be able to secure faster delivery at no extra cost — which may not save you money, but will save you time. When it comes to automatic contract renewals, make a diary note to review your contract two to three months before the renewal is due. This will give you time to advise your supplier if you find a better deal, and choose not to renew. Another approach is to negotiate the terms at the beginning of the contract. If a contract calls for automatic renewal, ask your vendor for an amendment to the terms giving you the option, not the obligation, to renew your contract within a window of time. 5. Wherever possible, fix expenses Expenses fall into one of two categories: fixed or variable. Fixed costs remain the same, irrespective of your volume of business. This may include things like rent, plant or machinery purchases, business registrations and insurance. The benefit of fixed costs is that they can be anticipated, and the expense accounted for. In contrast, variable costs can change depending on business needs, and may include labour, raw materials and utilities. While variable costs offer flexibility, they can also put your business at risk of overspending if not managed appropriately. Purchasing equipment or machinery outright is one way to fix your costs. Leasing tools can make it easier to get up and running, but will likely cost you more in the long run. By investing in your own equipment, you can reduce ongoing payments, which is good for your business cash flow. 6. Reduce your reliance on invoices For some industries, preparing and sending invoices, and giving clients payment terms, is regular practice. However, relying on invoices can mean a delay in getting your money. Reduce your risk, and the administrative burden of chasing up unpaid invoices, by transitioning to upfront payments, or collecting payments on job completion with a portabl. This will reduce the number of defaulted or delayed payments from clients, and get that money in your account a lot faster so you can focus on growing your business. 7. Keep your income and expenses up to date Regularly reconciling your expenses is one of the best ways to stay abreast of the financial health of your business. Knowing your numbers, whatever they may be, is critical for running a successful business. Achieving this also means knowing exactly what and how you’re being charged for each business service, including for the provision of EFTPOS services by  your payment provider . Seek out a provider who is open and transparent about costs, with no hidden conditions or fees. Better yet, look for a fixed transaction rate, and no account-keeping fees or ongoing equipment rental. At Zeller, we provide full transparency for our customers, with flat rate transaction fees and no ongoing costs. Our full-featured dashboard also allows you to check your numbers at any time, giving you 360 degree visibility of what’s going on with your business — from real-time transactions, profit comparisons, a summary of tax obligations and any refunds transactions that may require your attention. 8. Get professional help Investing in the services of a professional accountant can help maximise your savings and minimise your tax liabilities, yet the true value of an accountant comes from bigger picture thinking. A good accountant can also help you grow your business, by providing guiding advice on when to scale up and how. And while your accountant handles the financial details, you can focus on the building your brand and your customer base. An accountant should be a trusted partner in your business, so it pays to shop around to find the right person for your circumstances and ambitions. Finding a reputable practitioner is important, so ask around for recommendations of capable candidates from others in your industry. Other questions to consider are: What services do you need? Is this their area of expertise? What accounting software do they work with? What costs do you need to consider? Finding the right accountant is like finding the perfect pair of shoes. Once you’ve found the right fit, you’ll feel fully supported and ready to take your business to new levels. Keeping on top of the financial health of your business is one of the best things you can do to nurture a profitable and sustainable business. Managing your expenses may not be the most thrilling job in the house, however it can be one of the most rewarding. Appropriately managing business expenses will also have one of the biggest impacts on your bottom line, so it pays to embrace it with good practices and an optimistic outlook.

How to Make the Most of Bonus Tax Deductions for Businesses

Now's the time to invest in upgrading your tech tools and training staff. The 2022-23 federal budget announcement delivered several wins for merchants. Two of the new measures enable businesses that spend on employee training or tech tools to claim a deduction greater than the actual cost — meaning there’s never been a better time to invest in the growth of your business. A new Skills and Training Boost has been introduced in response to critical labour shortages across the country, while technology incentives will enable merchants to upgrade or expand their tech stack. Keep reading to find out more about these temporary tax deductions, and how you can make the most of the new measures to grow your business. Small Business Technology Investment Boost Are your business’s current tech tools helping to streamline processes, remove double handling, and improve the customer experience? It’s likely there’s room for improvement. For many merchants, searching for new tools and software is a task that gets pushed to the end of the to-do list. The new Small Business Technology Investment Boost is designed to nudge merchants to spend on digital tools and software — such as portable payment devices , cloud computing, web design, e-invoicing and accounting. It’s been introduced to help future-proof businesses, and has the potential to accelerate growth after a difficult few years of trading. With the introduction of this measure, merchants can claim an additional 20 per cent deduction for the cost of expenses and depreciating assets up to a maximum of $100,000 per year. It's a ‘bonus’ deduction because it applies on top of the deductions already available to businesses. Here’s how it works: Make an eligible purchase Claim the deduction in your next tax return Any expenses over the $100,000 cap can be claimed as per usual tax processes. The bonus deduction applies to purchases made between 7.30pm on March 29, 2022 and June 30, 2023. Skills and Training Boost The Skills and Training Boost is another measure designed to give small businesses a helping hand by encouraging merchants to train new employees, and upskill existing staff. What that means is that for every $100 eligible businesses spend training employees, they will receive a $120 tax deduction. It’s a win-win. Giving employees the opportunity to take part in training opens up opportunities to take on more responsibilities and grow their role, creating more value for the businesses that they work for. For businesses, upskilling staff will help to bridge gaps in the workforce and circumvent the sky-high costs to attract and train talent in the face of significant labour shortages. What’s the catch? Two conditions have been announced so far. The training cannot be in-house or on-the-job. It must be provided by an external organisation. Courses can be provided in person, anywhere in Australia, or online — so long as that external organisation is a company registered within Australia. The Skills and Training Boost came into effect on March 29, 2022 at the same time as the Small Business Technology Investment Boost, and will extend until June 30, 2024. Both the Small Business Technology Investment Boost and the Skills and Training Boost are available to businesses with an aggregated turnover of less than $50 million a year. More conditions will likely apply when legislation is enacted, so stay tuned.

EOFY Planning: Expert Insights from a Business Tax Accountant

1. It’s my first time filing taxes for my new business, what do I need to know? Many first-time business owners get tripped up by their tax obligations the first time round, because as Sidney puts it: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s understandable: tax law is very broad and complex, with obligations that change depending on a wide variety of factors, from what you’re selling to how your business is structured, and what your annual turnover is. “Everyone knows about income tax, but when you start having to deal with  GST  and  FBT  or  WET , payroll tax, or when you’re working with companies based overseas, it becomes much more complicated,” says Sidney. “That’s why it's very important to have a business tax accountant to discuss these issues with. To help navigate those things and make sure that there are no penalties or fines applied for the incorrect handling of that,” he says. 2. What should I be looking for in a small business tax accountant? As a business owner, it’s not necessary for you to understand every nuance of Australian tax law, however it’s important that you’re not left in the dark either. “You want to find a business tax accountant who is approachable, understanding, and can communicate really well on these issues,” says Sidney. “I have met clients who have misunderstood their tax obligations, purely because they were working with a small business tax accountant that didn’t have experience in their area,” he continues. “With smaller accounting practices, they might be great at doing individual tax returns and sole trader tax returns, but then their expertise doesn't really branch into other areas. So, it's really important to find an accountant that meets your level of complexity.” When looking for a business tax accountant, ensure you ask them whether they have experience working with businesses in your industry, but also, with businesses at the same stage lifecycle as you. “Some accountants work with small businesses, others with startups and scale ups and others with more mature businesses,” says Sidney, it’s very important to find one that understands your particular needs.” 3. What can I expect to get out of working with a business tax accountant? At a minimum, a business tax accountant will ensure you are meeting all of your tax obligations, however a good accountant will also work with you to arrange your financial affairs so as to reduce your tax bill as much as possible. This is what is often referred to as ‘tax planning’ or ‘tax-effective cash flow management. “Tax planning is one of the most important and most beneficial services to pick up from a business tax accountant because once a business becomes profitable, it is the accountant's job to figure out how to maximise that profit,” says Sidney. “There are different strategies that an expert business tax accountant would look into, such as the structure of the business. If they originally started as a sole trader or they're just a one-entity company, maybe they'll consider a holding company or family trust,” he continues. Business tax accountants will also analyse your finances and make recommendations on where income should go, so as to minimise your tax bill. “This includes advising you on certain tax concessions, such as the $20,000 instant asset write-off,” says Sidney. This program, which was extended in  this year’s federal budget , allows businesses to claim an immediate tax deduction after buying a new piece of equipment – a vehicle, a coffee machine, or  EFTPOS machine  for example. “A business tax accountant will ensure you’re aware of all the tax concessions available to you, which can often help you make decisions about whether to purchase an asset or not,” Sidney explains. 4. What can I do to ensure my time with a business tax accountant is productive (and cost effective)? Working with a business tax accountant doesn’t come free – as with all accounting and bookkeeping services, billing is calculated per hour, so the longer you spend, the more you will pay. To help you optimise the time you spend with your business tax accountant, there are a number of things you can do ahead of meeting them. “If you’re managing your own bookkeeping, it's very important to have all of your accounts reconciled at least up to the 30th of June before you meet,” says Sidney. “If there are any transactions that you’ve tried to reconcile but you’re unsure of, it’s a very good idea to note these down in a separate document so that when you have a discussion with your accountant or bookkeeper, you can tackle these quickly, rather than having to trawl through spreadsheets together.” For businesses that are a little more advanced, such as those that are already working with a bookkeeper for their day-to-day reconciliation, but that have not yet entered into tax planning, Sidney recommends preparing a cash flow forecast. “A cash flow projection spreadsheet allows you to easily see how you’re tracking for the year,” he says, “It will be able to tell you whether you’re a little tight on cash, or what your profit looks like. If you’re profitable, your accountant might make recommendations around investing in some assets, restructuring, or paying dividends before the end of the financial year to reduce your tax liability,” he explains. 5. What tools will make managing my tax accounting easier? Whether you’re a sole trader doing all your own reconciliation, or whether you're running a multi-person company with an in-house bookkeeper: using the right tools to manage your money will set you up for success. “When it comes to accounting software, Xero is one of the biggest and probably the most popular,” says Sidney. “For payment processing,  Zeller ’s ease and transparency really stand out. The systems are user-friendly, it’s a modern, market-leading product and it works seamlessly with Xero, so it makes accounting administration a breeze,” he says. Used together,  Zeller and Xero  allow you to provide accurate and up-to-date financial reports to your business tax accountant, which will give them the visibility they need to make informed recommendations, specific to your business. Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice that takes into account your business needs and objectives. If you are unsure, seek the advice of a qualified accountant or financial service advisor before deciding whether a savings account is right for your business.

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