TaxBanter Pty Ltd.

Knowing your obligations is one thing but implementing effective cyber security strategies is where many firms struggle. In this episode of TaxYak, Senior Tax Trainer George Housakos is joined by Caillin Goss, Jen Pascarl and Jacques Louw from Priority Networking and Greg Gardiner from Count. That’s why in this session, we will walk through a practical framework built around 20 key questions designed to test your firm’s cyber security posture. These questions cover areas such as: Governance and accountability Staff awareness and training Access controls and identity management Backup and disaster recovery Incident response planning Vendor and third-party risk And ongoing monitoring and improvement When these strategies and controls are successfully implemented, they don’t just help protect your business, they also support your ability to meet increasingly onerous compliance requirements. Think of this as a health check for your firm’s cyber maturity: a way to identify gaps, prioritise actions, and build a more resilient and secure operating environment. And as mentioned earlier, if you’d like a copy of our Cyber Security Checklist to support this process, please feel free to contact Cailin Goss at PNET. Special Offer: Priority Networking is offering all Tax Yak listeners a $2,400 comprehensive cyber security assessment. This covers the Essential 8 Framework and other key cyber security measures, including your policies and procedures, and will help assess whether your business has the capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents, should they occur in your business.  Find out more

Accounting and wealth advisory firms are increasingly prime targets for cyber criminals. You’re holding highly sensitive financial and personal information, and attackers know that even a small vulnerability can have serious consequences - not just financially, but reputationally as well. In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in phishing attacks, ransomware, data breaches and business email compromise impacting professional services firms. At the same time, regulatory expectations around data protection and cyber resilience continue to rise. In this episode of TaxYak, Senior Tax Trainer George Housakos is joined by Caillin Goss, Jen Pascarl and Jacques Louw from Priority Networking and Greg Gardiner from Count. This podcast is the first in a two part Cyber Security Series. This session focuses on the key statutory and regulatory requirements firms need to be aware of, including privacy obligations, data security expectations, and what “reasonable steps” actually means in practice. This session will also unpack some of the most common questions we hear from accounting and wealth advisory firms, such as: What are my legal obligations if there’s a data breach? How far does my responsibility extend when using cloud providers and third-party platforms? What does the regulator expect in terms of governance, documentation and controls? And how do I balance compliance with practical, day-to-day operations? Our aim is to give you clarity on your obligations, highlight where firms typically fall short, and help you understand why cyber security is no longer just an IT issue - it’s a core business risk. 

In this episode of Tax Yak, Tiffany Douglas chats with colleague George Housakos, senior tax trainer at TaxBanter, about a significant issue facing the tax profession from 1 July 2025: taxpayers will no longer be able to claim an income tax deduction for ATO interest charges.

The Full Federal Court’s Bendel decision has sent ripples through the tax community – but does it really mean Division 7A no longer applies to UPEs?In this episode, we unpack FCT v Bendel, what it means for UPE strategies in 2024 and 2025, the ATO’s possible next steps, and wider risks for tax agents and advisers.Don't get caught off guard. Stay ahead of the curve and understand what this landmark case really means for you and your clients.

In the highly anticipated final instalment of our three-part Tax Yak podcast series, George Housakos sits down once again with Nicholas Giasoumi, Director at Dye & Co., to shed light on small business restructures in 2024.With a focus on eligibility and practical application, this episode dives into the complexities of restructuring options for small businesses. Whether you’re facing financial uncertainty or looking to take proactive steps to safeguard your business, Nicholas offers clear, actionable advice to guide you through the process.Here’s what you’ll learn:The key eligibility criteria for small business restructuring in 2024.Strategic steps to maximize the benefits of restructuring.How to avoid common pitfalls during the process.As a trusted expert in personal and corporate insolvency, Nicholas brings decades of experience helping businesses across a range of industries navigate financial challenges. His advice is tailored to help you make informed decisions and take control of your financial future.

In this episode of Tax Yak, George Housakos sits down with Nicholas Giasoumi, a seasoned chartered accountant, registered liquidator, and trustee in bankruptcy, to demystify the complex world of bankruptcy. This is the second instalment in our three-part series with Nicholas.

In this episode of Tax Yak, host George Housakos sits down with Nicholas Giasoumi, a highly respected Director at Dye & Co., chartered accountant, registered liquidator, and trustee in bankruptcy. This marks the start of a powerful three-part series where Nicholas brings decades of experience to help you understand crucial aspects of debt enforcement and insolvency.

In this episode of Tax Yak (part 2 of 2), George Housakos yaks with Vincent Licciardi on two very hot issues for the new financial year of 2024/25: The new tax agent breach reporting regime and new Code of Conduct of professional conduct determination.Guest: Vincent Liccardi | Partner, HWL EbsworthWant to get maximum understanding of the recent reforms and planned changes? Join us on 30 August for our comprehensive webinar Tax practitioner breach reporting and beyond! Learn more >

In this episode of Tax Yak (part 1 of 2), George Housakos yaks with Vincent Licciardi on two very hot issues for the new financial year of 2024/25: The new tax agent breach reporting regime and new Code of Conduct of professional conduct determination.Guest: Vincent Liccardi | Partner, HWL EbsworthWant to get maximum understanding of the recent reforms and planned changes? Join us on 30 August for our comprehensive webinar Tax practitioner breach reporting and beyond! Learn more >

In this episode of Tax Yak, our Senior Tax Trainers gather to correct some of the misinformation around work-related expenses (WRE). They also discuss the areas the ATO is focussing on for the year ended 30 June 2022. A useful reminder for Accountants and Taxpayers alike! Keen to learn more about WRE? Check out our latest blog for #taxtime2022! Host: Lynne Gibson, Lynne on LinkedIn Guest: Lee-Ann Hayes, Lee-Ann on LinkedIn Recorded: 27 June 2022

In this episode of Tax Yak, Michael Bode talks to Danny Talwar of Koinly about the everchanging world of cryptocurrency, digital assets and tax. This will be an illuminating session for those feeling a bit lost in this space and will have a practical focus on existing tax laws and general principles. Danny Talwar, the Head of Tax at Koinly, is a chartered accountant and taxation advisor with valuable experience in taxation issues and ATO guidance surrounding the digital asset and blockchain industry. Host: Michael Bode Guest: Danny Talwar, Koinly. Danny on LinkedIn Recorded: 25 May 2022

In this episode of Tax Yak, Nicole Rowan chats with Michael Carruthers from Knowledge Shop and Lee-Ann Hayes from TaxBanter about Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). With the end of the FBT year approaching, we’re checking in on the tax and reporting obligations of employers when they provide fringe benefits to their employees and we’ll also be catching up on changes in the FBT space. Host: Nicole Rowan Guests: Michael Carruthers, Tax Director, Knowledge Shop. Michael on LinkedIn Lee-Ann Hayes, Senior Tax Trainer, TaxBanter. Recorded: 7 March 2022

In this episode of Tax Yak, Nicole Rowan chats with Haydon Green, Director of Single Touch Payroll, Policy & Content at the Australian Taxation Office, about the implementation of STP Phase 2. Haydon is a director at the ATO and his extensive experience in tax administration and policy development has seen him involved in Single Touch Payroll from the very beginning. In his current role, Haydon is responsible for the management of legislative and policy issues relating to Single Touch Payroll and the delivery of guidance material to support employers and industry transition to Single Touch Payroll Phase 2. Host: Nicole Rowan Guest: Haydon Green Recorded: 13 January 2022

In this episode of Tax Yak, Nicole Rowan chats with Haydon Green, Director of Single Touch Payroll, Policy & Content at the Australian Taxation Office, about the implementation of STP Phase 2.Haydon is a director at the ATO and his extensive experience in tax administration and policy development has seen him involved in Single Touch Payroll from the very beginning. In his current role, Haydon is responsible for the management of legislative and policy issues relating to Single Touch Payroll and the delivery of guidance material to support employers and industry transition to Single Touch Payroll Phase 2.Host: Nicole RowanGuest: Haydon GreenRecorded: 13 January 2022

In this episode of Tax Yak, Neil Jones yaks with Nick Mellos (Grant Thornton) about the implications of personal insolvency and debt management. Host: Neil Jones Guest: Nick Mellos (Grant Thornton) Recorded: 1 December 2021

In this episode of Tax Yak, Neil Jones yaks with Scott Anderson (Worrells) and Nicole Rowan (Senior TaxBanter trainer) about the risky business of asset protection. Host: Neil Jones, Managing Director and Senior Tax Trainer (TaxBanter) – Neil on LinkedIn Guests: Scott Anderson (Partner & insolvency practitioner, Worrells) and Nicole Rowan (Senior Tax Trainer, TaxBanter) Recorded: 10 November 2021

In this episode of Tax Yak, Nicole Rowan chat with Emma Rosenzweig, Superannuation and Employer Obligations Deputy Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office about recent and upcoming changes to Employer Superannuation.

In this episode of Tax Yak, Neil Jones yaks with Craig McCormick about the ATO finalised views on the amendments to the Non Arms Length Income rules and how non Arms length expenses can impact Superannuation Funds. Neil and Craig explore the ATO's LCR 2021/2 and what it means for Super fund members and their advisers.

In this episode of Tax Yak, two of our Senior Tax Trainers gather to correct some of the misinformation around work-related expenses (WRE). They also discuss important changes to making WRE claims, and explain what can and cannot be claimed. A useful reminder for accountants and taxpayers alike! Host: Lynne Gibson, Senior Tax Trainer (TaxBanter) … Tax Yak – Episode 54 – WRE Mythbusting updated Read More »