Business Alert at 9:00am With CVA – Truck Drivers Travel Allowance Claims

Clear Vision • June 18, 2019

Truck Drivers and their employers may need to look more closely at how travel allowances are being recorded. The ATO have inflicted penalties to Truck Drivers for being reckless with the expenses they’ve claimed without sufficient proof.

Our advice is to be vigilant with your log book or work diary to ensure you have records of overnight travel, allowances you’ve received and expenses you’ve incurred. You can’t be too detailed, the more information you have, the better off you are.

By not taking due care, you could leave yourself open for scrutiny & in turn penalties. For the 2019 income year, the meal allowance stands at $24.70 for breakfast, $28.15 for lunch and $48.60 for dinner. It’s important to know that these amounts can not be combined e.g. if you skip lunch, you can’t add the lunch allowance to dinner.

Also if you start the work day from home at 4:00am, you can’t claim the breakfast allowance, it is expected you will eat breakfast before you leave your home. Travel allowance is exactly that, you need to be away. If you start work at 4:00am and don’t get home until 12 noon the next day, you can claim lunch, dinner and breakfast – nothing more.

What’s important is how you record information and the records you can show; eftpos receipts, credit card statements, logbooks, travel diaries, letters from your employer stating how long you are away for and how much allowance you’ve been given – all of these will prove you are not reckless and that your claims are relevant.

If you’re not sure about anything, give us a call. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Capital Gains Tax Implications of Subdividing Land in Australia

By Caroline Gillies • June 1, 2025
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Autumn Tax Tips: Make the Most of the Final Weeks Before Year-End

By Caroline Gillies • May 25, 2025
As we step into the final week of autumn and feel winter’s chill approaching, it’s a natural time for reflection—and that includes taking stock of your financial and tax situation. The end of the year is closer than it seems, and a bit of preparation now can make a significant difference come tax season. Here are a few things to consider as the leaves fall: 1. Review Your Income and Deductions This is a good moment to check your income year-to-date and consider whether there are any deductions you can still take advantage of. Charitable donations or investment losses might help reduce your taxable income before year-end. 2. Maximise Super Concessional Contributions If you haven’t yet maxed out your superannuation concessional contributions, there’s still time. Remember unused cap amounts carry forward for 5 years and the 2019-20 unused cap amount will expire 30 June 2025. These contributions not only help secure your future but can also offer tax benefits now. 3. Organise Your Records Autumn’s slower pace is perfect for pulling together receipts, invoices, and financial documents. Getting organised now means less stress later when tax season begins in earnest. 4. Consider Tax-Loss Harvesting If you’ve had investments that underperformed, selling them before the end of the year to offset gains can be a strategic move. Consult with us today to see if this makes sense for you. 5. Plan Ahead Winter may bring holidays and downtime, but it's also a good window to consult with a tax professional. A quick meeting before year-end can reveal savings opportunities or help avoid surprises when you file. So, as the days grow shorter and frost begins to settle in, use this time to bring clarity and warmth to your finances.

Have you Thought About Where Your Business Will Be in 5 Years?

By Caroline Gillies • May 11, 2025
At Clear Vision Accountancy Group, we offer tailored services to support your long-term success—from strategic business planning to high-end tax administration. Whether you're aiming for growth, improved profitability, or a clearer direction, we're here to help you build a plan that gets results. If you're ready to map out the next five years with clarity and confidence, contact us today on (07) 4688 2500. Our 1-Page Business Plan will help you with: 1. Vision & Purpose Where are you headed, and why does it matter? What is the core purpose of your business? In five years, what positive impact will you have made on your customers, team, or community? What do you want your business to be recognised for within your industry? 2. Growth & Scale What does success look like, and how will you achieve it? What revenue, profit, or market position are you targeting? How many clients or customers do you want to serve—and in which markets? Are you planning to expand your offerings or enter new territories? 3. Team & Culture Who is helping you build it—and how? What does your ideal team look like in terms of structure, culture, and capabilities? How will you attract, retain, and develop top talent? What kind of leadership values and workplace environment will you foster? 4. Operations & Systems How will you deliver at scale—efficiently and reliably? What systems and workflows need to be in place to support sustainable growth? Which technologies or platforms will you implement to improve efficiency? How automated or streamlined do you want your business operations to become? 5. Brand & Customer Experience What do customers say about you—and why do they keep coming back? How will clients describe their experience with your business? What kind of reputation or brand presence will you be known for? What sets your business apart from the competition ?  Our Dream it. Plan it. Get it! will help you with: 1. Lifestyle & Personal Goals How does your business support the life you want to live? What level of involvement do you want in the day-to-day operations? What does ideal work-life balance look like for you? What personal or financial goals will your business help you achieve?