Australia/ New Zealand Small Business News Round-up 2009/02/25

Feb 25, ’09 1:30 PM

Here is this week’s news round-up for home business, micro business, sole-traders, freelancers, self-employed and any one who is interested in small business news from Australia and New Zealand:

20%reduction on PAYG instalments: To help small businesses cope with the global financial crisis, the Australian Government recently announced that it would reduce by 20% the quarterly pay as you go (PAYG) instalment due for the December 2008 quarter.
Get ready for the tax man to call: TAX audits of small businesses are much more likely, say business advisers – so get your paperwork in order now.
Small business may miss bonus: The investment allowance tax bonus has increased, but struggling businesses may miss out, reports Max Newnham.
Worst time for small business – ACCI: SMALL business continues to feel the weight of the economic downturn with trading conditions slumping to their weakest since at least the mid-1990s.
Business interest rate cuts stalled: INTEREST rates on some bank overdrafts for business are higher than they were a year ago, despite extensive cuts to the Reserve Bank’s cash rate.
Accountants Holden Associates Launch Free Website For Each Client To Help Small Business In The UK: Today we are pleased to announce FREE websites for all our small business, contractors & home business clients.
Just .tel them to keep in touch: Early rush to buy .tel domain names as entrepreneurs think they see an opportunity.
SME conditions sink: Slumping economy eroded conditions for SMEs to an all-time low, a new report says.
Young entrepreneurs: harden up Australia: MEET the young entrepreneurs who think the recession is all a bit of a joke, and are making a mountain of cash.
SMEs and home businesses to have the option of 90-day trial period: The new law regarding 90 day trial periods for new employees in small and medium sized businesses comes into effect on March 1. Here the Department of Labour explains the new rules