Roydon Snelgar

‘The Beginning is the Most Important Part of the Work’ – Plato

10 October 2017

This quote by Plato, the Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, sums up the central issue some accountants have with tax planning – they just cannot get started. The day to day grind of servicing the needs of compliance clients leaves them with…

Who Uses Tax Havens?

6 October 2017

Tax havens can be used by individuals, small businesses, large businesses, Fortune 500 companies, governments, charities, and non-profit organisations. The numbers are staggering, with the British Virgin Islands, for example, having over 1 million registered companies. In the Cayman Islands, 40 of the world’s top 50 banks have licences, and hold US$1 trillion on deposit.…

Tax Planning Strategy 77 | Change from Employee to Contractor

6 October 2017

Changing from employee to contractor (business) has the benefit of making some private expenses tax deductible. Expenses such as motor vehicle, home office, travel, etc., may become deductible. A contractor’s total expenses are normally maximised by utilising the PSI Entity strategy which may make private motor vehicle expenses and living away from home accommodation and…

Tax Planning Sin 7: Inadequate Tax Planning Training

4 October 2017

Most practice principals meet the Tax Practitioner Board requirements of thirty hours accounting and tax training per year. Unfortunately, this is normally exclusively related to their compliance related services with no training on value added services such as tax planning. A search of all the accounting professional bodies extensive training and website resources comes up…

Wealth in Tax Havens

29 September 2017

Although there is no consensus on the number of tax havens in the world it’s estimated at over 150. Some of these tax havens are whole countries (like Bermuda), and others just a state or territory within a country (like Nevada). The list of tax havens is constantly changing as new tax havens are added…

Tax Planning Sin 6: Failing to Provide the Client with a Written Tax Plan including Implementation Process and Cost/Benefits.

27 September 2017

All important client advice should be provided to the client in writing (irrespective of whether also provided to the client verbally as well). This practice is recommended by both the ATO and professional bodies to protect both the client and the practice. A tax plan fits into this important category so should definitely be in…

Tax Planning Strategy 151 | Tax Incentives for Early Stage Investors

26 September 2017

Malcolm Turnbull’s Innovation Statement released on 7th December 2015 provides tax incentives for early stage investors. The tax incentives will encourage early stage investment in innovative start-ups and should boost growth by fostering new enterprises and promoting entrepreneurship. Further details are available at National Innovation & Science Agenda. The tax incentives apply from 1st July…

"You’d be stupid not to try to cut your tax bill and those that don’t are stupid in business"

- Bono: U2