Abbaco

Working from home? Not every household expense is tax-deductible.

Many Australian business owners use part of their home for work. But working from home doesn't automatically make all household expenses deductible.

What you can claim depends on your circumstances, how you use your home for work, and the applicable tax rules.

Before claiming home-based expenses, consider whether you have:

• Identified the right costs — Separate work-related expenses from private household costs.
• Kept proper records — Document your expenses and how you use your home for work.
• Checked the calculation method — Different methods may apply depending on your circumstances.
• Considered the bigger picture — Some claims may have other tax consequences down the track.

The right approach can look different for every business owner.

Not sure what you can claim? Check with your tax adviser before lodging your return.

People remember what you follow through on.

In business, it's easy to make commitments with good intentions.

You promise to review something, follow up with a team member, or get back to a client. Then the week gets busy.

Individually, these might seem like small things. But over time, they shape how people experience your leadership.

A few habits worth building:

• Make commitments you can realistically keep.
• Write down important follow-ups.
• Communicate early when something changes.
• Close the loop, even when there's no major update.

Trust isn't only built through big decisions.

Often, it's the small promises consistently kept that make the biggest difference.

Fun fact: More sales can actually create a capacity problem.

Winning more work sounds like a good problem to have. And often, it is.

But when demand grows faster than your ability to deliver, the pressure can spread across the business.

Before celebrating a full pipeline, ask:

• Can the team realistically deliver the work?
• Are turnaround times starting to stretch?
• Is service quality being maintained?
• Will additional work require more people, equipment or space?

Growth is valuable when the business can support it.

Sometimes, the next step isn't finding more customers. It's making sure you can look after the ones you've already won.

A good client experience often starts before the work begins.

Sometimes clients become frustrated not because the work was poor, but because their expectations were different from what the business intended to deliver.

A little clarity at the beginning can make a significant difference.

Before starting a new engagement, consider:

• Does the client understand what's included?
• Have responsibilities been explained?
• Are timelines and communication arrangements clear?
• Does everyone understand what happens if the scope changes?

Clear expectations aren't about making the relationship overly formal.

They're about helping both sides understand what a good outcome looks like.

Sometimes, the easiest way to improve service is to explain it better from the start.

Your future income isn't the same as money you already have.

Business owners often make financial commitments based on what they expect to earn in the coming months or years.

That can be reasonable, but expected income isn't guaranteed income.

Before taking on a significant personal commitment, consider:

• Can your existing income comfortably support it?
• What happens if business earnings fluctuate?
• Are there other commitments competing for the same money?
• Does this decision support your longer-term financial goals?

There's nothing wrong with enjoying the rewards of running a successful business.

But keeping future earnings separate from today's financial capacity can help you make more sustainable choices.

Paying super isn't just another payroll task.

For Australian employers, superannuation is an important obligation that deserves regular attention.

It's not enough to assume everything is correct simply because payroll has been processed.

A few things worth checking:

• Are eligible workers being assessed correctly for super?
• Are contributions calculated using the appropriate earnings?
• Are payments reaching the correct funds by the applicable deadlines?
• Have you reviewed any changes to your workforce or payroll arrangements?

Late or incorrect payments can create additional obligations and costs.

With changes to super payment requirements approaching in 2026, it's particularly important to confirm your current obligations with your adviser.

Not every valuable employee is the loudest person in the room.

In business, it’s easy to notice the people who speak up, take charge or regularly share their achievements.

But some of your most valuable team members contribute quietly.

They follow through, support colleagues and notice details others might miss.

As a business owner, consider:

• Who consistently delivers without needing recognition?
• Are quieter employees given opportunities to contribute ideas?
• Do you recognise reliability as well as visible achievements?
• Are you making time to understand individual strengths?

Good leadership means recognising contributions, not just personalities.

Sometimes, the people making the biggest difference aren't the ones asking for attention.

Who deserves a little more recognition in your team?