"My mate at the pub said I can claim my kid's school fees..." STOP right there.

The three most dangerous words in business are "Everyone does it." In this episode, Mia and Leo are joined by our resident tax strategist, Harvey Green, to draw a hard line in the sand. We are done with "grey areas"—it's time for the hard truth about what expenses will trigger an ATO audit.

We play a brutal round of "Can I Claim It?" to debunk the most common myths in small business.

In this episode, we cover:

• The School Fees Trap: Why paying tuition through the company could cost you double (yes, really).

• The Ute Rule: How adding a bull bar or taking one weekend camping trip to Margaret River can turn your tax-exempt workhorse into a full FBT liability.

• Gym & Golf: Why being "fit for work" or "networking on the green" isn't the deduction you think it is.

• The $300 Christmas Party Cliff: The specific math on why a $305 meal is a tax nightmare, but a $295 meal is a win.

• The "Checking Emails in Bed" Myth: Why claiming your mortgage interest might accidentally trigger a massive Capital Gains Tax bill on your family home.

This is Part 1 of our FBT Series. Stop guessing, stop listening to "pub advice," and find out exactly where you stand.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:

Need to check your "Nexus"? Visit aevumaccounting.com.au to book a consultation with Ben and the team.

Shoutout: Big thanks to Nick Rosson for the 5-star review this week!

Ever wondered if the "free" coffee you drink or the family dinner in your own restaurant is actually a tax headache?

In this episode, Mia and Leo step into the high-pressure kitchen of the hospitality industry. Whether you’re running a boutique espresso bar, a fast-paced takeaway, or a licensed restaurant, the margins are tight—which makes understanding your deductions more important than ever.

Under the guidance of Ben De Rosa from Aevum Accounting, we break down the specific rules that help hospitality legends keep their finances as fresh as their produce.

In this episode, we serve up:

• The "Eat Your Profits" Rule: A deep dive into ATO TD 2023/7—the secret shortcut for valuing the goods you take from stock for private use.

• Repairs vs. Improvements: How to tell if fixing that broken commercial fridge is an immediate win or a long-term depreciation play.

• The Tech-Stack Menu: Why a "shoebox" of receipts is a fire hazard and how integrating your POS with your accounting software changes the game.

• Staff Meals & FBT: What you can (and can’t) feed your team without triggering a "nasty surprise" from the tax office.

• Alfresco & Equipment: Claiming the "tools of the trade," from laser-cut umbrellas to the high-end espresso machines.

Stop guessing at your margins and start mastering your cash flow. Tune in to ensure your business remains compliant, efficient, and poised for growth.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:Visit our website at aevumaccounting.com.au to learn more about our hospitality tax specialists or to connect with Ben and the team.

"If I wear this designer suit only for auctions, it’s a deduction, right?" Not quite.

In this episode, Mia and Leo dive into the high-stakes, high-energy world of real estate. Whether you’re a property manager, a sales agent, or a principal, the line between "lifestyle" and "business" can get blurry—and that’s exactly where the ATO starts looking.

Under the guidance of Ben De Rosa from Aevum Accounting, we unpack the ATO’s Tax Time Toolkit to help you keep more of your hard-earned commission and stay audit-proof.

What we cover in this episode:

• The Car Logbook vs. Cents-per-KM: Why your commute to the office is "dead money," but your trip to an appraisal is a tax win.

• The "Suit" Truth: Why the ATO says "No" to your Italian wool blazer (and what you can actually claim for your wardrobe).

• The Commission Trap: The specific rule that determines if you can claim those settlement gifts and letterbox drops.

• Tech & Tools: How to correctly depreciate your cameras, drones, and iPads without triggering an audit.

• The "Naughty List": Why grooming, fines, and home office snacks will never make the cut.

Stop relying on "lunchroom lawyer" advice and get the facts. Tune in to ensure your financial foundation is as solid as the properties you sell.

Connect with Aevum Accounting:Visit our website at aevumaccounting.com.au to download our occupation-specific tax guides or to book a consultation with Ben and the team.

"If I pass the 80% rule, I can pay the 25% company tax rate, right?" Wrong.

In this episode, Mia and Leo dismantle the most dangerous tax myths circulating in the medical community. If you’re a senior doctor or specialist moving into locum work, you need more than just an ABN you need a structure that protects your income and passes the "Part IVA" sniff test.

We dive deep into:

• The Sole Trader Trap: Why sticking with a "free" ABN could lock you out of high-paying hospital shifts.

• PSI & The "Anti-Avoidance" Catch: Why passing the 80% rule isn't a golden ticket, and the "Dr. Dave" horror story every specialist should hear.

• Hidden Cash Flow Hacks: How a company structure lets you control your Super contributions and defer GST for over 12 months.

• Wealth Building 101: A step-by-step breakdown of Debt Recycling—turning "bad" mortgage debt into "good" tax-deductible investment debt.

Don’t rely on the "lunchroom lawyer" for your financial future. Tune in for the expert insights you need from the team at Aevum Accounting.

Are you running your business, or is it running you?

This week, we welcome back Brand Strategist and Culture Architect, Dr. Ari Vance, for a different kind of episode. We’re conducting a "Mid-Year Mindset Audit" to help you realign your life and business with what truly matters.

Join Mia, Leo, and Ari as they explore four powerful questions to check your pulse:

• Identify Energy Vampires: How to spot the tasks (and people) draining your will to live.

• Redefine the Scoreboard: Why financial success is a "lag indicator" and what you should measure instead.

• The Power of New Skills: How learning to smoke a brisket or speak Spanish can make you a better business owner.

• Meaningful Connections: Shifting your networking mindset from "getting" to "giving."

Plus, a special shout-out to our super fan, Michael Welton! Tune in to recharge your mindset with the team at Aevum Accounting.

Are your company's values just a poster in the lunchroom, or are they the engine driving your business?

In this episode, Mia and Leo are joined by special guest Dr. Arabella "Ari" Vance to cut through the corporate buzzwords. Ari breaks down Mission, Vision, and Values using a simple "Road Trip" analogy that will change the way you think about your business.

We explore:

• The "North Star" Effect: How clear values act as a filter for making tough decisions.

• Tone from the Top: Why culture is what happens when no one is looking (and why the boss eating ice cream matters).

• The "Corporate Word Salad" Trap: How to avoid writing a mission statement that nobody understands.

Whether you're a business owner building a legacy or an employee looking for the perfect fit, this episode is your guide to finding the "soul" in your work.

Family trusts are powerful tools, but they require constant care to flourish. Is your structure optimized for the current tax year?

Join Mia and Leo as they break down the critical strategies for managing your family trust in a high-scrutiny environment. We explore the valid reasons for removing beneficiaries (including foreign owner surcharges) and how to avoid the expensive trap of "trust resettlement."

Key topics include:

• Section 100A Compliance: ensuring your distributions are genuine.

• The "Bucket Company" Trap: How to manage UPEs correctly in 2025.

• Asset Protection: When and why to remove beneficiaries from your deed.

Secure your family's financial future with practical advice from Aevum Accounting.

The ATO has released its "Naughty List" for 2026, and we’ve brought back our resident ATO-whisperer, Harvey Green, to tell you who is on it.

In this episode, Mia, Leo, and Harvey dive deep into the specific areas the tax office is targeting this year. We translate complex tax rulings into campfire horror stories and practical advice to keep your business safe.

We cover:

• The "Members-Only" Club Jacket: Why getting your Family Trust Elections wrong could cost you nearly 50% in tax.

• The "Pizza Voucher" Trap: The 45-day holding rule, bucket companies, and why you shouldn't incorporate late.

• A GST Horror Story: The case of the vanishing credits—why lodging your BAS late is a one-way street to losing money.

Don’t step into a trap you can’t see. Tune in for the expert insights you need from the team at Aevum Accounting.

Are you still running your trade business from a diary and a shoebox of receipts? If you're spending your nights quoting instead of seeing your family, this episode is for you.

Join Mia and Leo as they welcome special guest Dave, a third-generation sparky who transformed his chaotic business using job management software. We dive deep into the battle of the apps: ServiceM8 vs. Tradify.

Find out how moving from paper to digital can:

• Cut your admin time in half.

• Get your invoices paid in 7 days instead of 40.

• Turn your "job" into a scalable, sellable business asset.

Whether you're a plumber, sparky, or builder, learn how to get off the tools and get back your life with the help of Aevum Accounting.

Did you know your business can be highly profitable... and still go broke? This episode is a practical masterclass on cash flow, the true lifeblood of your business.

We're joined by special guest and experienced business owner, Harvey Green, who shares his real-world "scars and successes." Join Mia, Leo, and Harvey as they break down the essential steps to:

• Accelerate your inflows (get paid faster)

• Control your outflows (stop the leaks)

• Build a forecast and a cash buffer (finally sleep at night)

This is your ultimate guide to turning financial stress into cash flow confidence.