Free ATO support for small businesses

Bar and other small business owners in Australia can master their tax and superannuation obligations through the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) free online learning platform.

The Essentials to strengthen your small business website includes more than 20 short courses and a calendar of key lodgment due dates to support small businesses.

ATO Deputy Commissioner Will Day said the platform, which launched in early February, is designed for small business owners who want to enhance their knowledge of tax and super.

“Small business owners can now access short, free and flexible online courses to sharpen their knowledge of tax, super and the core aspects of effective small business management,” Day said.

“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.

“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 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.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson said this resource will be helpful to small businesses.

“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 courses and information can be accessed through the ‘Essentials to strengthen your small business’ learning platform.