Accounting & Taxation

When it comes to income tax, knowing what you can claim — and doing it correctly — can make a big difference. At Indigo Financial, we don’t just lodge your return, we take the time to understand your individual or business circumstances to ensure you’re getting the full benefit of every deduction you’re entitled to.

Whether you’re a salaried employee, contractor, investor, or business owner, we help you navigate the complexities of Australia’s tax system, identify allowable deductions, and optimise your tax position. From work-related expenses and investment income to offsets and rebates, we make sure nothing is missed.

Our team is focused on accuracy, timeliness, and compliance — but also on delivering proactive advice that helps you plan ahead, minimise your tax liability, and maximise your refund year after year.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) can have a significant impact on the profitability of your investments — but with the right planning, it doesn’t have to come as an unwelcome surprise.

CGT applies when you sell assets like shares, property, or other investments, and the profit (or gain) you make becomes part of your taxable income. Without proper planning, many investors are caught off guard by how much tax they owe when selling an asset. At Indigo Financial, we help you plan ahead — identifying tax-effective strategies to minimise your CGT liability and maximise the wealth you retain. Whether it’s about timing the sale, using available exemptions, or structuring ownership correctly, smart CGT planning can make a real difference to your bottom line.

Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting or growing a business in Australia. The structure you choose affects how much tax you pay, your level of personal liability, ongoing compliance requirements, and how easily you can bring in new investors or sell the business. Common structures include sole trader, partnership, company, and trust — each with its own advantages, risks, and tax implications.

At Indigo Financial, we work closely with business owners to assess their goals, risk profile, and long-term plans before recommending the most tax-effective structure. Whether you’re just starting out, expanding operations, or planning for succession, we ensure your business structure supports your profitability, protects your assets, and aligns with your overall strategy — now and into the future.

Salary packaging, also known as salary sacrificing, is a tax-effective strategy available to many Australian employees that allows them to structure their remuneration to include certain benefits in addition to their regular salary. Instead of receiving their full wage as cash, employees can allocate part of their pre-tax income towards approved expenses or benefits, effectively reducing their taxable income. This can result in paying less tax while accessing valuable items or services like cars, laptops, superannuation contributions, or even mortgage repayments in specific circumstances.

Salary packaging arrangements need to comply with Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidelines, and not all employers offer the same packaging options. The most common benefits include superannuation contributions above the compulsory employer amount, novated car leases, portable electronic devices, work-related expenses, and living expenses for employees of not-for-profit organisations with Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) concessions. For employees in health, education, or charitable sectors, the potential savings through salary packaging can be significant due to higher allowable limits.

While salary packaging can provide real tax advantages, it’s important to carefully consider the impact on other entitlements such as superannuation, leave loading, and termination payments. Additionally, FBT rules may apply to certain packaged items, making it essential to structure any arrangement correctly. At Indigo Financial, we help clients navigate the complexities of salary packaging, ensuring the strategy suits their personal circumstances and complies with relevant tax laws.

Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is a separate tax applied to certain non-cash benefits provided by employers to their employees or associates. While these benefits can be a valuable part of an employee’s overall remuneration package, they also come with specific tax obligations that businesses need to carefully manage.

Common examples of fringe benefits include

• allowing an employee to use a company car for personal use
• providing low-interest loans
• reimbursing private expenses such as school fees
• offering entertainment like meals, drinks, or event tickets.

At Indigo Financial, we help employers understand their FBT obligations, calculate the taxable value of benefits provided, and implement strategies to manage and potentially minimise their FBT liability — ensuring compliance while maximising tax efficiency.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad-based tax of 10% on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in Australia. If your business is registered for GST, you’re responsible for collecting this tax from your customers and reporting it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), usually via your Business Activity Statement (BAS).

At Indigo Financial, we help businesses manage their GST obligations with confidence — from registration and compliance to reporting and lodgement. We ensure your GST is correctly calculated, properly documented, and submitted on time, reducing risk and helping you stay focused on running your business.

Payroll tax is a state and territory-based tax imposed on employers when their total Australian wages exceed a certain threshold. The specific thresholds and rates vary between jurisdictions and are subject to change. It’s crucial for businesses to stay informed about the payroll tax obligations in each state or territory where they operate.​

2024–25 Payroll Tax Thresholds and Rates by Jurisdiction

• South Australia: Threshold: $1.5 million annually. Rates: Variable from 0% to 4.95% for wages between $1.5 million and $1.7 million; 4.95% for wages above $1.7 million.

• New South Wales: Threshold: $1.2 million annually. Rate: 5.45%.

• Victoria: Threshold: $900,000 annually (rising to $1 million from 1 July 2025). Rates: 4.85% standard; 1.2125% for regional employers.

• Queensland: Threshold: $1.3 million annually. Rates: 4.75% for employers with wages up to $6.5 million; 4.95% for wages above $6.5 million.

• Western Australia: Threshold: $1 million annually. Rate: 5.5%.

• Tasmania: Thresholds: Up to $1.25 million – 0%; $1.25 million to $2 million – 4%; above $2 million – 6.1%.

• Northern Territory: Threshold: $1.5 million annually. Rate: 5.5%.

• Australian Capital Territory: Threshold: $2 million annually. Rate: 6.85%.

Please note that these thresholds and rates are subject to change, and it’s advisable to call us at Indigo Financial for the most current information.

Estate planning is about far more than just having a will — it’s about having a clear, legally sound plan in place to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are carried out, both during your lifetime and after you’re gone.

A well-considered estate plan ensures that your loved ones are cared for, your assets are distributed according to your wishes, and unnecessary stress, uncertainty or disputes are avoided. It also includes important instructions for how decisions about your health, finances and care should be made if you’re ever unable to make them yourself.

Typical components of an estate plan may include:

• Your Will

• Superannuation death benefit nominations

• Testamentary trusts for family protection and tax effectiveness

• Powers of Attorney (financial and legal decisions)

• Enduring Guardianship (medical and personal decisions)

• Advanced care directives (future healthcare wishes)

At Indigo Financial, we work closely with trusted legal and estate planning professionals to help ensure your estate plan reflects your personal wishes and provides peace of mind for you and your family.

A review or audit from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can happen at any time — and being prepared makes all the difference.

An audit is an official examination of your financial affairs to determine whether you’ve met your obligations under tax or superannuation law. The ATO may be checking to see whether you’ve declared all your assessable income, properly claimed deductions and offsets, or complied with relevant reporting and record-keeping requirements.

These reviews can vary in complexity — from a simple request for clarification via phone or letter, to a formal audit involving in-depth analysis or even a site visit from ATO officers. In some cases, you may be required to produce detailed records and supporting documentation.

At Indigo Financial, we help you stay audit-ready by maintaining clear, compliant financial records and proactively managing your tax affairs. If an audit or review does occur, we’re by your side every step of the way — communicating with the ATO on your behalf, preparing documentation, and guiding you through the process to reduce stress and risk.

Peace of mind comes from being prepared — and that’s where we can help.

Business benchmarking is a powerful tool that helps you understand exactly how your business is performing compared to others in your industry.

By comparing key financial and operational data against industry benchmarks, you gain valuable insights into what’s working well — and where there’s room for improvement. Benchmarking can highlight areas such as profitability, productivity, expenses, and cashflow performance, giving you a clear roadmap to lift results and stay competitive.

At Indigo Financial, we use benchmarking to help our clients identify strengths, address weaknesses, and set realistic targets for growth. It’s a practical, data-driven way to measure success and uncover opportunities to improve profit, efficiency and business value.

Property transactions can have significant tax implications — whether you’re buying, selling, developing, or investing.

Every property deal involves important financial considerations, from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and GST, to stamp duty, ownership structure, and loan structuring. Getting the right advice upfront can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure the transaction aligns with your broader financial and investment goals.

At Indigo Financial, we help clients navigate the tax and compliance requirements associated with property transactions. Whether it’s your first investment or part of a growing portfolio, we provide clear guidance to help you manage tax exposure, structure your deals effectively, and make informed decisions with confidence.

Asset protection is all about safeguarding the wealth you’ve worked hard to build.

In business and in life, unexpected events can happen — from legal action and business disputes to financial challenges or creditor claims. Without the right structures in place, your personal and business assets could be at risk.

At Indigo Financial, we help you put smart strategies in place to protect your assets — now and into the future. This might include setting up the right business structures, using trusts, separating personal and business assets, or reviewing insurances. Our goal is to help you create a strong financial foundation that shields your wealth from unnecessary risk and gives you peace of mind.

At Indigo Financial, we understand that accurate, efficient bookkeeping is the foundation of a successful business.

Our bookkeeping services are designed to give business owners confidence, clarity, and control over their financial position — while freeing up valuable time to focus on running their business.

We tailor our bookkeeping solutions to meet the unique needs of each client, using the latest technology (including XERO, MYOB and QuickBooks) to streamline financial processes and ensure accuracy, compliance and valuable business insights.

Our bookkeeping services include:

• Financial record maintenance

• Accounts payable & receivable management

• Bank reconciliations

• Payroll processing & compliance

• BAS and IAS preparation and lodgement

• Financial reporting to support better business decisions

With a proactive approach, industry expertise, and a commitment to personalised service, Indigo Financial’s bookkeeping solutions help you stay organised, compliant, and in control.