Tax and finance
GST, BAS, deductions, instant asset write-off, retentions accounting, R&D, business finance options.
36 entries
Accounting for Progress Payments
A progress claim is not a payment schedule and neither is a payment. GST attribution turns on your accounting basis, and claiming ahead of progress breaches the contract and distorts the books.
Accounting for Retentions for Builders
Retention runs 5 per cent. GST on it is not attributable until the retention is invoiced or received, so a builder who runs it through the progress claim BAS pays the ATO years early.
ATO Taxable Payments Reporting System (TPRS) for Builders
The Taxable Payments Reporting System requires AU residential builders to report contractor payments to the ATO each year via a TPAR by 28 August.
BAS Lodgement for Residential Builders
Quarterly BAS is due 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July, with about four extra weeks through an agent. The TPAR is due 28 August and the ATO data-matches it.
Bookkeeping Systems for Residential Builders in Australia
Bookkeeping for AU residential builders means cloud accounting connected to quoting and CRM tools, GST and BAS on schedule, and clean records for the ATO. This entry maps Xero and MYOB to the builder workflow.
Builders Bookkeeping and GST Mistakes
The errors that cost real money: invalid tax invoices, 47 per cent no-ABN withholding, retentions remitted early and credits claimed on input taxed residential work.
Business Finance Options for Builders
How a residential builder funds the business: overdrafts, invoice finance, chattel mortgage versus lease, director guarantees and why an ATO payment plan is a warning light, not finance.
CGT for residential construction investors in Australia
Capital gains tax treatment differs sharply between a main residence and an investment property. The main residence exemption covers the family home in most cases, but build-to-sell and
Choosing a Business Structure for Residential Builders in Australia
Residential builders in Australia choose between sole trader, partnership, Pty Ltd company or trust. Each carries different tax rates, asset protection and ASIC duties.
Construction Loan Bank Requirements for Residential Builders in Australia
Construction loans in Australia release funds in progress draws against a fixed price building contract. Banks check invoices, valuations and insurance at each stage.
Construction Loans and Progress Drawdowns in Australia
How Aussie construction loans pay out in stages, what lenders need at each drawdown, and how builders should sequence the claim to keep cash on site.
Deductions for a Residential Construction Business
What a residential building business can actually claim. The cents per kilometre rate is 91 cents for 2026-27, capped at 5,000 km, and a company cannot use that method at all.
Division 7A for Residential Builders (Loans From Your Company)
Division 7A treats unpaid loans from a private company to shareholders as deemed unfranked dividends. AU builders running through a company structure should read this.
Fringe Benefits Tax for Residential Builders (Vehicles + Accommodation)
FBT applies when AU residential builders provide cars, dual cab utes or accommodation to employees. The rate is 47% for the FBT year ending 31 March 2026.
GST in Australian Residential Construction: Services, New Premises and Withholding
GST applies across Australian residential construction in three main ways. Building services are taxable supplies at 10 per cent. Sales of new residential premises within five years are taxable,
GST in Construction for Residential Builders
Register at $75,000 turnover. New residential premises are taxable, existing are input taxed, and purchasers withhold 1/11th at settlement or 7 per cent under the margin scheme.
GST on New Residential Premises in Australia
How 10% GST applies to new residential premises in AU, including the 5-year rule, the margin scheme and the 1/11 or 7% purchaser withholding obligation.
Instant Asset Write-Off for Builders
The $20,000 write-off expired 30 June 2026. As at 14 July 2026 the legislated limit for FY2026-27 is $1,000, and the permanent replacement sits in a Bill that is not yet law.
Instant Asset Write-Off for Residential Builders (Australia)
The $20,000 instant asset write-off lapsed on 30 June 2026. For the 2026-27 income year the legislated threshold is $1,000, with a permanent $20,000 proposed in a Bill that is not yet law.
Payday Super Compliance Risk for Residential Builders
Payday Super started 1 July 2026. Super must reach the fund within 7 business days of every pay run. A builder paying weekly now has 52 deadlines a year, not 4, and the fund receipt date is the test.
PAYG withholding for Australian residential builders
PAYG withholding is the system that requires Australian builders to withhold tax from payments to employees and certain contractors and remit it to the ATO. The rules differ for employees,
Payroll Tax Contractor Deeming Risk for Builders
Subbie payments are deemed wages under the relevant contract rules unless an exemption applies. A builder under the threshold on payroll alone can be years into an unregistered liability, with a 5-year lookback.
Payroll Tax Grouping Provisions for Builders
Grouping gives a builder with a building company, a labour entity and a plant hire trust one threshold across the lot, and makes every entity liable for the whole group debt.
Responding to an ATO TPAR Audit as a Builder
How a residential builder should respond to an ATO Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) audit. What the ATO data-matches, where most builders get caught and immediate response actions.
Superannuation Obligations for Residential Builders
The 12% super guarantee rate, contractors caught by s 12(3) SGAA, quarterly deadlines and the Payday Super shift from 1 July 2026.
Tax Deductions for Residential Builders in Australia
Australian residential builders claim deductions for tools, vehicles, subcontractors and equipment. The instant asset write-off is $1,000 for 2026-27 after the $20,000 limit lapsed on 30 June 2026.
Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) for Residential Builders
AU residential builders must lodge a TPAR by 28 August each year reporting payments to subcontractors for building and construction services.
Trust Structures for Residential Builders (Discretionary vs Unit)
How discretionary trusts and unit trusts work for AU residential builders. Distributions, tax treatment, asset protection and the 2028 minimum trust tax.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in NSW
NSW payroll tax thresholds, the 5.45 per cent rate, what counts as wages, the contractor deeming rules and the grouping traps that catch growing residential builders.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in Victoria
Victorian payroll tax for 2026-27: a 1 million dollar threshold that phases out at 5 million, 4.85 per cent metro and 1.2125 per cent regional, plus the contractor deeming trap.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in Queensland
Queensland payroll tax: a 1.3 million dollar threshold, rates that step from 4.75 to 4.95 per cent, a mental health levy, contractor deeming and grouping for residential builders.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in WA
WA payroll tax runs on a 5.5 per cent rate and a threshold that tapers away between 1 million and 7.5 million dollars. There are no contractor deeming rules, only the common law test.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in South Australia
South Australia has a 1.5 million dollar threshold and a variable rate that climbs from zero to 4.95 per cent between 1.5 and 1.7 million dollars. Contractor deeming and grouping still bite.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in Tasmania
Tasmania runs two payroll tax rates in 2026-27: 4 per cent from 1.25 million dollars and 6.1 per cent above 2 million. Contractor deeming applies.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in the ACT
ACT payroll tax from 1 July 2026: a $1.75 million threshold, a 6.75 per cent rate, contractor deeming rules, grouping and a 28 July annual reconciliation.
Payroll Tax for Residential Builders in the NT
NT payroll tax: a $2.5 million tax-free entitlement that tapers by $1 for every $2 above it, a 5.5 per cent rate and contractor rules that pull subbies into the wage base.