Small businesses on the Central Coast have welcomed a new online learning platform launched by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offering free courses to help them master their tax and super obligations.
The Essentials to Strengthen Your Small Business website includes more than 20 short courses and a calendar of key lodgement due dates to support small businesses.
Deputy Commissioner Will Day said the new platform was designed so small businesses could access short, free and flexible online courses to sharpen their knowledge of tax, super and the core aspects of effective small business management.
“The new platform supports a variety of learning styles with videos, case studies, audio content and written information, as well as the option to test your knowledge with quick quizzes – making it easier for all small businesses to learn about important components of running a business,” he said.
“It also includes tips on areas where we see small business owners make mistakes, like goods and services tax (GST) and business deductions.
“We know that a lot of small businesses don’t have time to attend courses during business hours while they are busy running their business – so the beauty of our new platform is that you can do it at a time that suits you, save your progress, and then pick it up again later.”
The new platform is also a useful resource for tax practitioners, especially for those that are small businesses themselves, to share and use with their staff and clients.
The website was co-created with small businesses and educational experts to deliver learning pathways that can be customised, depending on each stage of a business’s life cycle, structure and industry.
Minister for Small Business Julie Collins said the Federal Government was committed to reducing the time small businesses spent doing taxes, and resources like this provided valuable practical assistance.
“I encourage small businesses to take up this great opportunity from the Australian Taxation Office with free courses specifically designed for the needs of small business,” she said.
“Our latest Budget included new measures to help small business with taxes including longer timeframes to amend tax returns and expanding access to advice through the tax clinic program.”
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson said the resource would be helpful.
“Business know-how and being able to benefit from the wisdom of others can be key to successfully turning an idea into an enterprise,” he said.
“But the spark that inspires an entrepreneurial person into creating and growing a business is rarely the behind-the-scenes business of running the business.
“Yet this is where success and better decision-making can be formed.
“That’s why these resources are so important and helpful, and I commend them to you.”
The new Essentials to Strengthen Your Small Business learning platform is now live at https://smallbusiness.taxsuperandyou.gov.au/