H&R Block launches online tax service
H&R Block has announced the launch of its new online tax service.
Taxpayers can now prepare their own tax return online and have H&R Block review it prior to it being lodged with the Tax Office.
According to Frank Brass, regional director at H&R Block, the new online tax program is occupational-based, which takes people through the work related expenses that are common to their occupation and helps ensure they receive all they are entitled to.
The new online service can be accessed at www.hrblock.com.au
People who read this, also liked:
ATO launch SME online tax forum
SMEs plan ahead to maximise tax returns
Economic crisis bites into Gordon Ramsay’s profits
The recession has hit chef Gordon Ramsay where it hurts - his pockets, as his restaurants in Britain have suffered a 90 percent drop in profits.
Proving that even celebrities are not immune from the effects of the economic crisis, Ramsay’s company pre-tax profits tumbled from STG3.05 million ($6.21 million) in 2007 to STG383,325 ($779,987.79).
The renowned chef blamed the drop in profits on an over-ambitious expansion and the closure of key London restaurants such as the Savoy Grill, with the luxury hotel shut for refurbishment.
Speaking on the loss, Ramsay said that while the financial year ending 2008 was tough on the group, they have “regrouped and learnt some valuable lessons and the business has now returned to a position of strength.”
People who read this, also liked:
Reinventing your business
Local small business wins global award
A local Australian small business has beat hundreds of competitors from all over the world, to win the 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards Small Business Specialist Partner of the Year award.
The award, which is one among 25 other categories honoured at the software giant’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference, is given to a company that has used Microsoft technology in innovative ways to deliver integration solutions that serve customers in the small to medium business market segment.
Evolve IT Australia, a business solutions company based in Victoria and with a branch in Subiaco, WA was honoured for their innovative and modern approach to handling Australian rules football club staff resources and data.
According to Evolve IT general manager Clayton Moulynox, traditional methods in the industry were still very much dependent on manual management, which was inefficient and had a great propensity for errors.
“Having the opportunity to change the way all clubs in an entire league operate was a very exciting prospect. Here was a bunch of businesses that were on a very level playing field in terms of technology, and we were about to give them a fantastic infrastructure to give them the opportunity to be more innovative and create a competitive advantage.”
Evolve IT’s solution utilised Microsoft software to allow small and medium businesses to better connect with customers, other business professionals and employees by enhancing business processes, productivity, security, and IT infrastructure management, and by reducing costs.
People who read this, also liked:
Innovation award winners praised for their efforts
Small business, big technology
Law firm employees take voluntary redundancies
More than 100 workers from top-tier law firm Allens Arthur Robinson have chosen to take voluntary redundancies, in order to avoid being sacked from a firm-wide forced redundancy program.
This is the first time in 20 years the firm has offered a voluntary redundancy program, according to reports in The Australian.
The move by Allens to offer a voluntary redundancy program is in contrast to law firms that began sacking staff late last year when the financial downturn hit.
Allens spokesman Chris Fogarty yesterday confirmed that 114 staff had opted to leave the firm, and it was “100 percent voluntary.”
The firm will now reorganise its structure following the departures.
People who read this, also liked:
Workers up-skill to remain employable in crisis
Workers prefer reduced hours to redundancy
Innovation award winners praised for their efforts
The Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Richard Marles, last night congratulated the winners of INNOVIC’S International Next Big Thing Awards.
Speaking at the awards dinner in Melbourne, Mr Marles told guests that innovators needed all the encouragement they could get to help make their great ideas a reality.
“We celebrate great inventions once they are a part of our everyday life, but the hard work involved in developing and commercialising good ideas is often unrecognised.”
Innovative products recognised at the awards ranged from a single-serve water bottle made of sustainable materials like bamboo and palm leaves, to a thin, silicone-based film on water that blocks the mosquito lifecycle, and building materials made from fly ash.
Marles said innovation plays an important role in helping our economy meet the “immediate challenges of the global recession and the long-term challenges of climate change and the highly competitive global economy.”
A list of award winners is available at www.nextbigthingaward.com
People who read this, also liked:
Is Innovation a casualty of the downturn?
Business confidence strong in regional Australia
Confidence among business and community leaders in regional areas is strong, according to HR Coach managing director Louise Broekman.
Broekman has witnessed first hand the strong partnerships businesses are making in regional areas, making them resilient in the current market.
“The sentiment is one of cautious optimism and action. HR Coach Network Members have been forming regional strategies that are having a direct impact.”
Among those making a difference in regional areas are Pam Dickerson of HR2GO Vital People, based in Dubbo, who supports local businesses through her work with the Regional Development Office; and Maureen Kyne of KMS Solutions who has focused on business sustainability in Regional Victoria partnering with local businesses to improve their performance and solidify their future.
People who read this, also liked:
Rural confidence rises, global markets a concern
SMEs take steps to protect their business in downturn
SMEs take steps to protect their business in downturn
St. George Corporate & Business Bank research has revealed a growing number of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are taking steps to protect and strengthen their business against the challenges of the economic crisis.
The research commissioned by St. George Corporate & Business Bank and conducted by Galaxy Research, analysed the responses of over 1,000 owners or managers of businesses employing between two and 199 people across Australia; and found that not only are SMEs realistic about future recovery, but are actively taking steps to strengthen their business.
SMEs are employing a number of strategies to ensure they remain competitive, with particular focus on core customers (70 percent), business fundamentals (67 percent), cutting costs (64 percent), new business development (57 percent) and increasing product and service offerings (55 percent).
SMEs are also taking steps to financially protect themselves, with one in four holding more cash in the bank to provide a buffer against foreseen and unforeseen impacts of the downturn.
Greg Kenny, general manager of St. George Corporate & Business Bank, said the research revealed some surprising findings on the determination and resilience of Australian SMEs.
“It’s encouraging to see that many businesses are taking these steps to protect themselves. Effective cash management is critical in a downturn. Budget planning, banking consolidation, credit control, cashflow finance and maximising interest on deposits are just some of the ways SMEs can achieve strong cashflow.”
In order to help strengthen their business, four in five SMEs are seeking out information and advice on how to protect and support their business; including sales and marketing (38 percent), cashflow management (28 percent) and finance and banking (27 percent).
Kenny said it is encouraging that SMEs are doing all they can to ensure their business remains profitable and that they are working hard to adapt and evolve through this cycle.
People who read this, also liked:
SMEs predict economic recovery by 2011
Fair Work Act and the implications for franchises
The Fair Work Act which came into force 1 July, will have a deep impact on the franchising industry, says Mark Fernandez, WA state manager for leading consultancy, Franchise Alliance and franchisers will need to be aware of the implications for their business and their franchisees.
“Franchisers need to review workplace contracts and take action to inform their franchisees of important changes.”
Fernandez said the new laws will have serious implications for franchisers and franchisees.
“As well as the new national ‘Award Modernisation’ conditions for employee agreements, franchisees need to be aware of new unfair dismissal laws, minimum conditions, increased penalties for trading outside normal hours, and widening of terms to the Discrimination Act.”
According to Fernandez they key to compliance is to be informed. He is urging all franchisers/franchisees to take a close look at the new changes and to get expert advice on the implications and their responsibilities.
“I strongly urge all franchisers to review all employee agreements against new national conditions for their industry.”
For more information about changes to legislation, please visit www.airc.gov.au
People who read this, also liked:
WorkChoices scrapped, Fair Work now in place
Small business to be educated about Fair Work Act
Small business warned: get advice before you hire or fire
Retailers celebrate the death of Grocery Choice
The retail industry has been in party mode this week, celebrating the demise of the Federal Government’s Grocery Choice website.
The Government decided to scrap the site, designed to help shoppers to compare grocery prices in supermarkets across the country in order to find the best price, after it was heavily criticised by the industry.
The Australian Retailers Association congratulated the Government for putting an end to the site, calling it a farce as prices were out-of-date and irrelevant for shoppers.
The Institute of Public Affairs’ director of intellectual property and free trade, Tim Wilson echoed these sentiments, claiming the site was pointless.
“Why would the Government set up a website that does a basket of products that updates once a month? That is the most bizarre point about it.”
People who read this, also liked:
Government scraps Grocery Choice website
Unit pricing rolled out in all supermarkets
Services sector given much needed boost
The services sector has expanded for the first time in 15 months, as a result of rising consumer confidence fuelled by the Federal Government’s stimulus payments.
The Australian Industry Group-Commonwealth Bank of Australia performances of services index (PSI) rose by 10.3 index points to 50.2 points.
Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout said the figures prove the economy is slowly recovering, following on from strong retail figures in May.
Ridout said the results suggest the services sector activity strengthened in June off the back of “rising consumer confidence, low interest rates and the Government’s cash stimulus.”
Improvements in finance and insurance, retail trade, accommodation, cafes and restaurants, health and community services suggests that “the clouds around the outlook for services are lifting,” said Ridout.
People who read this, also liked:
Retail sales jump, shoppers still spending stimulus cash
IBISWorld reveals best and worst performing industries for 2009/10
