Our latest insights

Employee share schemes (ESS) have come in and out of favour over the years, but improvements in the general economic climate in Australia combined with the recent introduction of a range of tax and company law concessions in this area mean that the time is definitely right for mid-size businesses to take another look at introducing a tailor-made ESS arrangement.

Vibrant and contrasting, Hong Kong is a mature economy with a similar growth rate to Australia’s. Asia’s World City brings together a diverse heritage, and makes for a fascinating, yet safe, place to do business.

The ATO issued a Practical Compliance Guideline (PCG 2016/18) on 18 November 2016, addressing the GST treatment of countertrade transactions, more commonly known as Barter transactions.

China’s free trade zone features a unique blend of cultures reflected in its broad investment opportunities and diverse talent pool. As the world’s second-largest port, Shanghai boasts a thriving economy and the country’s second highest GDP per capita.

It often happens that economic growth in the capital city exceeds that of the country in general. However, combine Jakarta’s 4.8% growth in 2016 with Indonesia’s ranking as ASEAN’s largest economy and world’s 10th largest market in terms of purchasing power parity, and you’ve got perfect conditions for a fast-growing, increasingly wealthy consumer market.

A unique city blending Japanese tradition with high-tech design, Tokyo is a fascinating destination for a broad variety of Australian businesses, and its almost 14 million inhabitants make for an attractive target market.

E-Commerce has brought unprecedented freedom for retailers to sell, package and distribute their products wherever and to whomever they want. However, major reforms to the way global businesses are taxed, following release of the G20's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) action plan, are about to change what an efficient supply chain looks like.

The speed of change and intensity of scrutiny have forced tax to the top of the boardroom agenda. It’s vital that you and your boardroom colleagues take the lead in managing the pricing, compliance, risk communication and reputational issues thrown up by this complex and uncertain environment. So how can you get on top of this whirlwind of change?

BEPS is here to stay, with more than 80 countries now having agreed to adopt at least the minimum elements of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan.

When purchasing real property after 1 July 2016, it is presumed that the vendor is a non-resident and the purchaser will be obliged to withhold 10% of the proceeds, register for withholding tax (WHT) and pay it to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) unless a clearance certificate has been obtained prior to settlement.

It’s a fact of retail – your brand is either on the up or in decline. Much like a rollercoaster, this cycle rolls around regularly, and consumers will tell you with their wallets if you’ve got your product offering right or wrong.

2016 is shaping up to be the year of mobility in retail. This will drive opportunities and raise challenges as we operate businesses in a global and borderless environment. Today’s customers expect to be at the centre of your retail decision-making with personalised attention both in store and online, 24 hour access through multiple channels, choice, and engagement with their favourite brands via social media.