Business

10 Expenses You Can Claim as a Uber Car Driver

September 5, 2017 by Reporter Leave a Comment

As a Uber driver, it’s the time of the year when taxes are in the forefront. As a rideshare driver, one is bracketed in the realm of an independent contractor, who is now responsible for their own taxes. You would receive the 1099 form from the contractors but filing taxes can be frustrating at times.

As a current Uber driver, there are a number of tax deductions that every Uber driver is qualified for. They can claim deductions based on business related expenses and use of mileage rates. One can use mileage deduction when doing taxes or even opt to itemize expenses including fuel, insurance, maintenance, and the like, but one cannot qualify for both.

One just has to worry about mileage accumulated when conducting business when opting for mileage deductions, which is 57.5 cents/mile for miles driven during business. If you opt for the latter approach, the following is list of expenses used for claiming tax deductions

List of Expenses for Claiming Tax Deductions

· Uber Fee

Uber fees are pretty much straightforward especially with respect to parking fees when on a business ride. One can also include garage fees and meter fees under this criteria.

· Uber Supply

You can deduct things you buy for the rideshare business even if they are not vehicle-related, but related to business purposes, including drinks/ snacks for “passengers”. Some other things that are “necessary and ordinary” can be counted under this header.

· Fuel expenses

You can deduct fuel expenses with the help of receipts, especially if one is audited by the IRS. You can use tax deduction on fuel costs as long as it is part of Uber business. All route expenses when meeting with potential Uber drivers for signing up can be deducted under fuel costs as well.

· Registration & Insurance

Keep the registration and insurance receipts along with bank records related to servicing, repairs, tires, and even maintenance costs. They can be claimed.

· Repair & Maintenance

One can deduct some maintenance and repair costs as part of business matter but not entirely as it can be used for personal purposes too. You can deduct costs related to the tires, oil changes, replacement of brake pads, and anything related to car maintenance that is crucial for ride share business.

· Mobile & Internet Expenses

The cost of smartphones for Uber rides is tax deductible along with phone payments for the time one used it for business use. As rideshare drivers, smartphones are used for business purposes, and hence some cell phone bills can be claimed. You also need to attach expenses related to the internet charges since the route affirmation and ride costs are calculated automatically when connected to the web.

· Protective items

Any hi-visibility clothing or sunglasses that you wear during rides can be mentioned in protective safety gear for riders. Although you can only mention the percentage of use involved in these rides

· Car Depreciation

If you buy the car used for Uber, you can deduct the cost of your car over a 5-year period with the help of depreciation. The depreciation expenses can be spread throughout the 5-year period.

· Car Hire Fees

If you hire a car, you need to deduct the proportion of car lease payment especially when the car is being used for Uber

· Other relevant expenses

One can mention relevant expenses as required based on car maintenance that can be used as a tax deduction for car expenses.

Conclusion

As Uber driver, one can save money while filing tax returns by being alert about the payments and expenses throughout the year, and by keeping a systematic record of the same.

Disclaimer:

This Guest post is brought to you by Mike Watson. For more information on the Tax return and other financial services visit Universal Taxation Service.

How Does Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning Works?

June 15, 2017 by Reporter Leave a Comment

https://pixabay.com/en/ice-cream-cone-melting-hot-1274894/ – Toshiba Carrier Air

A reverse cycle air conditioner is a great system as it both warms and cools your home. This means that not only will you be able to keep yourself cool during those hot Aussie summers, but you’ll also be able to keep yourself warm when winter rolls around.

Having a system that offers both options means only needing to invest in the one product. Whilst it can be a large investment at first, it will save you money down the line, and means you get to avoid purchasing bulky electric heaters or fans.

So how exactly does a reverse cycle air conditioner work? Read on as we break it down, so you can get a better understanding of how it both heats and cools your home.

How it heats your home

The system works by extracting the cool air from outside and bringing it inside. Once is has been brought in, the refrigerant (a cold liquid) is passed through an external coil, where it then absorbs the heat from the air.

The refrigerant, once it has absorbed the heat, is pumped by a compressor, down into a condenser. The process of compressing the refrigerant helps to warm it up to the desired temperature. By use of a fan, the air is pushed into the room, which heats the room up.

Once the process is completed, and the hot air is being pumped into the room, the refrigerant is taken back down through an evaporator where it is cooled back down, before it is pumped back to the condenser to repeat the process.

How it cools your home

The process is completely identical when it comes to cooling your home. The only difference is that cold air is blown into your home, which means the process is simply reversed. So rather than the refrigerant warming up the air, instead it cools it down.

This is great because you don’t need to buy two systems to do both processes for you. The one reverse cycle air conditioner will do both, with no extra hassle to you.

Inverter technology

It is becoming increasingly popular to see inverter technology within reverse system air conditioners. Inverter technology allows the air conditioners to adjust the power to reach the desired room temperature and maintain it. This is in contrast to traditional models that just have an on/off button, and this therefore makes the system far more efficient.

This also helps the air conditioner to be more economical, as it reaches the desired temperature far quicker than conventional methods, and reduces the need to keep turning the air conditioner on and off.

The Digital Disorder – Office Life and its Effect on the Human Body

March 18, 2017 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Humanity has evolved at a rate that is staggering, when you sit down and take some time to think about it. We have gone from living in caves to living in McMansions and enjoying the trappings of advanced society. What a world, eh? A key part of our evolution has been the technological advancements that have taken place alongside our burgeoning intelligence. As to why technology has evolved so fast, it can be explained thusly: when we’re faced with something that we think to be impossible, we’ll think that it is unachievable or far off, and then suddenly someone makes it possible. For example, for years the idea of running a mile in four minutes was thought to be impossible, and potentially dangerous. Then, all of a sudden, the four minute mile mark was broken, and then a bunch of people were doing it, one after another. The same thing happened with technology: in the 1980s no one had a phone, or if you did it was the size of a briefcase and cost you thousands, and then fast-forward a couple of decades and 15.5 million people in Australia own a mobile phone – a country with a population of just 23.3 million.

Our technological advances have meant that many of us now work jobs in the tech fields, or at the very least in an office or on a computer. With the growing number of people working on computers or in offices, there has been a concurrent instance of injuries due to poor posture and other work-related problems. To solve this, the science of ergonomics has come to the rescue! Ergonomics is the science of managing the design and usability of objects and devices – like computers and desks – in such a way that they are safe to use. Ergonomics is vital for ensuring that people are staying fit and healthy at work. We wanted to examine how to best stay safe at work, thanks to the input from Colebrook Bosson Saunders.

Problem: Sore back due to a sustained bad posture

Solution: Adjustable monitor holder or stand

When you are in the wrong position all day at work or at home and are looking at your computer from the wrong height, you are bound to get some problems with your neck and/or your back. The best solution to these kinds of issues is by ensuring that the monitor of your computer is at the right height! An adjustable screen holder can sort you out quick smart.

Problem: Pain in the hands or wrists

Solution: Adjustable keyboard height with arm rests

Another problem faced by many workers in offices is repetitive strain injury (RSI) relating to poor keyboard positioning. Solve the problem with a stand or heightened keyboard holder which alleviates the strain of supporting your wrists. This is an easy fix to a potentially very painful problem – especially when you consider how much time you spend on a computer each day!

Problem: Sore legs or feet from standing all day

Solution: Ergonomic cushioned mat

Some office jobs need you to stand for long periods, or you might have taken an ergonomic step forward and invested in a standing desk. No matter the reason for your standing, you must ensure that you have taken care of your legs and ankles with a supportive mat for your feet.

We hope these ergonomic tips have been helpful for you in taking some steps towards being healthier in your workplace. Don’t forget – you have to take care of your body because it’s the only one you’re ever going to get! Enjoy a more ergonomic life now and in the future.

Australia’s Top Cities for Construction – Melbourne vs. Sydney

January 22, 2017 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Melbourne and Sydney, in addition to being Australia’s most well-known and largest cities, are also world class destinations renowned for their beauty and lifestyles.

The strong rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne is well documented with everything from sports teams to culture and even coffee being debated about whose is better.

The cities certainly each have much to offer. Sydney is often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its stunning landmarks including: the Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Manly and Bondi Beaches and the Blue Mountains. With its many beaches and vibrant nightlife, Sydney is cosmopolitan and chic. The city is also Australia’s financial hub and home to a large array of international companies who use Australia as a base for their operations in the region.

Melbourne’s attractions are more subtle, and less glitzy. The city abounds in parks and gardens, leafy suburbs, bay beaches, and the Yarra River. Melbourne is home to an F1 Grand Prix, and The Australian Open Tennis Tournament. Throughout the city there are beautiful streets, cafes & coffee shops, and an array of restaurants and cuisines to rival any city anywhere. Melbourne also has a strong and vibrant business sector and continues to attract commercial and residential business and investment.

It has been said that the main difference between the cities is that Sydney has more to see and Melbourne has more to do.

In terms of population and growth, Sydney has 4.9 million residents, a 1.7% growth rate and has added 703,000 people over the past ten years, and is Australia’s largest city. Melbourne has a population of 4.6 million people, and with a growth rate of 2.1% and having added 832,000 people over the last ten years, is expected to surpass Sydney and become Australia’s largest city in a few decades.

Residential Construction in Melbourne and Sydney

With the influx of so many new residents, housing costs in both cities have risen substantially over the past decade, and builders are doing their best to meet demand for new housing. In both cities, their centers have become expensive and many new residents are flocking to their outer suburbs causing a boom in these areas.

For more urban Sydney, because of the high price of single family houses even in the outer areas, it is mainly apartments that are in high demand. While in Melbourne both apartments and single family housing is highly sought. The Australian Financial Review reports that there are 20,000 residential properties currently under construction in Melbourne, with more than 10,000 within the central business district. As is always the case with this type of demand, there are great opportunities for businesses like Lofts Quarries, that provide construction building materials including sand and soil.

Commercial Construction in Sydney and Melbourne

Because of the residential apartment building boom in both cities, there is a squeeze on the building of commercial projects at the moment. This is causing great concern as new residents flock to both cities and employment growth continues. There will certainly be a need for more office towers going forward, and there will be a battle for space to build. In Sydney there is even a plan to restrict residential apartment development in favour of commercial projects.

The residential and commercial construction booms in both Sydney and Melbourne are predicted to continue at least through 2017 and potentially much longer if population growth continues at its current pace.

Can Seniors Benefit From Insurance In Australia?

January 16, 2017 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Life has never been predictable. It does not matter if you are 20 or 65 years old, you will still be clueless about what is around the corner for you. The last thing anyone wants to do is have their loved ones drown in bills because they got terminally ill, leave the world by being a burden on their family which has to bear the funeral expenses, and become financially unstable because they were dependent on you.

However, the good news is that older people are eligible for life insurance; in fact, 2 in 5 Australians get life insurance because they are getting older. Even when you build up a nest egg over time, life insurance makes sure that your family does not have to deal with such sudden costs.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for Seniors?

Life insurance for seniors is available to most Australians as long as they do not suffer from any serious medical condition. In many cases, you may be required to take a medical exam or have blood tests when filling out the insurance application. But this is not different from the process that you would have had to go through had you decided to get life insurance earlier in your life.

The Perks of Getting Insured as a Senior

You probably get to hear a lot about how premium costs are low when you apply for insurance in your 20s and 30s, but there are some advantages to applying as a senior as well. According to Australian statistics, you have a 1 in 3 chance of developing a serious medical condition before you reach 75 years of age; if you are a woman, there is a 1 in 4 chance of that. You also have the same odds of developing a disability.

However, many people who get ill realize that they opted for the wrong insurance plan, the one that does not suit them at all. People who opt for life insurance earlier in life opt for a plan that seems good enough when they have no idea how their life would turn around, and whether they would need medical insurance more than life insurance or a mortgage protection plan.

When you are old enough, you start figuring out the things that could provide you with a bit of security and would give you immense peace of mind. This is exactly why applying for insurance plans in your old age is highly favoured and is a smart move. There is always convenient funeral insurance product to help you safeguard your family’s future.

It is possible that you are leaving behind kids who are too young, or a spouse that you don’t want to go through any financial hardship. In this case, you should go for life insurance if you feel you do not want to burden your family with the cost and expenses associated with arranging a funeral.

The Rewards Of Regular And Concise Performance Reviews

December 23, 2016 by Reporter Leave a Comment

There are 2 reasons why business owners never sit through the performance reviews of their employees. The first is when they want to discipline someone, and the second is when they think someone deserves a pay increase. However, what they don’t know is that they have so much to gain when it comes to scheduling employee performance reviews on more than just these two instances.

Communicate Goals

When you sit down with your employees more than once every year, you are technically reminding employees what you expect of them in a way that motivates them to achieve this. It is possible that you may have begun to notice changes in the employee that you would like to discourage. This is the perfect time to do that before it escalates into something serious, resulting in you having to call in crisis control.

For Feedback

Regular performance reviews give employees the perfect opportunity to give you feedback on what your employees need. It helps you in correcting bad behaviour before it ultimately affects the bottom line of your company. You cannot just send in an email that says the employee is not meeting the set standards. You must review performance and set a training period for them and encourage them to attend it as part of their professional development which will help them throughout their career.

When Firing an Employee

In case you are faced with the task of terminating an employee, you can always offer them proof that they had an idea that this was coming. Your case is made strong by the regular performance reviews that you conduct so that the employee does not challenge your termination.

Set New Goals for Over Achievers

Certain employees perform above and beyond the set standards. The regular performance reviews give you a chance to set higher goals for them, and you must encourage them to advance in their career at your company if you really believe that they have the potential to do great things. If a person thinks he/she is wasted in a place where their talent is not recognized, he/she is likely going to move elsewhere.

Appreciate the Hard Work

It is important that you praise employees who consistently do a great job. By offering positive feedback on a regular basis, you will also make your employees feel like they are being truly appreciated. Your win is that now the employee is going to be encouraged to work harder and shall remain loyal towards you as they are made to feel good about their hard work.

Their Feedback Counts just as Much

Mostly, employee performance reviews are created to give feedback to the employees, and employees are also encouraged to share their thoughts about the company as well. It is important that you listen to the concerns and comments of these people. You must also consider using the valuable information you now have to improve operations.

The Advantages of taking Professional Assistance for Tree Removal in Melbourne

June 7, 2016 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Tree removal is a task that is required for various reasons. It may be necessary for the removal of dangerous trees, as a measure to safeguard property and occupants. It may be deployed as a component of landscape beautification process. Tree removal service in Melbourne also becomes a necessity while clearing large sites for developmental projects. Irrespective of the reason, it is advisable to delegate this task to a professional tree care firm.

Hazardous tree management is considered to be the most common and important reasons for tree removal. Trees that are old, ailing or rotted lose their structural integrity and become shaky and fragile. Their branches or sometimes even the entire tree can fall, especially if there is a windstorm. This puts the safety of the occupants and others passing by, at risk.

Overgrown trees can be a nuisance for homeowners. Apart from bringing harm to the surrounding vegetation and plants, trees with overgrown limbs can lead to extensive damage to the property. Many property holders have frequently whined about pipes issues and broken sewerage pipes that are caused by roots of an overgrown tree.

Another cause of concern for homeowners is that septic damages resulting from untrimmed trees are usually not covered by insurance agencies due to which they have to bear additional expenses to fix such issues.

Therefore, if you intend to avoid all the above mentioned issues, it is advisable to enlist the services of a firm that provides top notch professional tree removal & pruning in Melbourne. Here are a few benefits of taking professional assistance.

· Some people tend to underestimate the complexity of the process along with the implications in case the procedure is not carried out properly. Taking the responsibility of removing trees from your property on your shoulders implies that your are inviting unnecessary complications. Besides compromising the quality of the task, carrying out tree removal on your own can lead to injuries.

It can likewise put an undue strain on your pocket with additional expenditure. This is precisely where professional and trustworthy firms that provide tree removal and tree pruning services in Melbourne come into picture. They have a team of highly skilled arborists and specialised tools to execute the process, safely, quickly and effectively.

· Similarly many homeowners assume the responsibility of tree pruning in Melbourne with a final objective to save money. Be that as it may, it can increase the expenditure with all the investment required to purchase the required gear. Also, if in procedure any harm is brought on to your property or surroundings, the cost involved may even get multiplied. Taking professional assistance, as a general rule, ends up being the most cost efficient choice. By outsourcing tree removal, you can spare a great deal of costs on fuel, transportation and equipment.

· Besides tree removal and pruning, the services provide by these tree care firms include checking the health of trees, identifying the unhealthy or infected trees. They also provide service for regular maintenance of the trees by trimming the branches and spray of medicines for a germ free environment.

All the above mentioned points make the decision of taking professional assistance for tree removal and pruning, a wise one.

In any case, before contracting these tree care companies for tree removal in Melbourne, you ought to take a few things into account. The best way to gain insight into company’s track record of its customer service is client reviews. For this, try getting in touch with previous clients of a particular company and they will give you a fair idea of their service.

How can your Business gain from Labour Hire companies in Melbourne

May 19, 2016 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Every business irrespective of its scale or industry requires a skilled workforce. The business world is getting competitive by the day and is undergoing a continual evolution with changes happening on daily basis.

Taking the increasingly competitive nature of the market into account, it imperative to have access to workers that are highly trained & experienced with an ability to adapt. Qualified & proficient workforce makes sure that you keep up the desired levels of performance, irrespective of any challenges. This is precisely where labour hire companies come into picture.

Labour hire in Melbourne has been an integral component of the business world for a long time now. These agencies are a growing business’ best ally. They provide skilled labour whenever required, without putting undue strain on the finances of the company.

Labour hire has grown in prominence in recent times throughout Australia, with a persistent requirement for short and long term projects emerging all the time. As this industry has developed to serve clients across a broad spectrum of industries, more and more business owners realise the benefits of enlisting the services of a labour hire firm

From a business viewpoints, it is vital to have a team of skilled employees with a multitude of skills ready to assist at any given time. Skilled labour hire services can be highly advantageous to any business, established or newly found as they can provide employees with skills that suits the exact business requirements, either on a temporary or permanent basis and that too, without any delay.

Here are some of the benefits your business stands to gain by enlisting the services of labour hire companies.

· Most organisations have fluctuating workloads relying upon the season. This implies the work prerequisites of the business keeps changing as per the workload. Having in-house staff members on payroll even when there is no requirement, results in a lot of unnecessary expenditure. Labour hire enables you to get skilled workers you need at your convenience without the obligation of full time employment, thereby, curtailing the outlay.

· Employing staff is a challenging task. At the point when entrepreneurs or business managers need to expand their workforce to take care of increasing consumer demand or an important project, these firms are an ideal option to recruit the workers with appropriate skills.

· Finding competent individuals with right the skill set for the task at hand is, to a great degree, tedious. From interviewing applicants to selecting them, the whole procedure can be quite time consuming and does not generally ensure that the right candidate will be selected. We all know the importance of time for business owners and managers and that they can’t afford to fritter away their valuable time in this process. A labour hire agency gives them the leverage to recruit pre-screened workers who are not only qualified but also have the experience of dealing with any kind of work requirement. This way they decrease the downtime considerably and as a consequence, increase the operational efficiency.

· Labour hire workers have the experience of working in an assortment of organisations within & outside your industry. Moreover, on-hired employees bring different skills to the table that your on-board employees may not possess otherwise. Rather than wasting a considerable measure of time & resources on training workers to execute a particular task, you can easily hire skilled workers on temporary basis. These employees will work for you as long as your require their services.

The benefits of enlisting the services of labour hire companies are quite apparent. So, with regards to your next business venture, get in touch with a professional & trustworthy firm that provides labour hire in Melbourne.

Boost your business by choosing a Top Commercial Cleaning Company in Sydney

May 10, 2016 by Reporter Leave a Comment

When you own a commercial establishment you owe it to your employees and workers as well as existing or potential customers to maintain a clean hygienic environment. First impressions matter a lot in any business and a client walking in should be impressed by the ambience and upkeep of your premises. Only then would he want to do business with you. Similarly, studies have proved that a well maintained office adds to employee morale thereby boosting productivity levels. Both these factors cannot be ignored, the primary reason why it is always advisable to engage the services of a reputed commercial cleaning agency instead of leaving the work to amateur building janitors.

If you need commercial cleaning services pick a company that specialises in this field because unlike residential cleaning it is a very complex and multifaceted activity. Further there are sub divisions in this category. The cleaning needs of say offices, hotels and restaurants, schools and colleges or factories and workshops will be completely different from each other. However, it can be safely presumed that companies offering such services will be able to handle all related activities regardless of the type of commercial establishment.

Before deciding on top of the line Sydney cleaning services follow a few pointers and you cannot go wrong. But the first step is to know the companies to be called for interviews before finalising the cleaning contract. The best method is to carry out research on the Internet. Browse through local listings, pick a few cleaning contractors and read their reviews and testimonials to form an opinion. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. In most cases you’ll get good references. Once you have whittled the list down to a few names call them individually to know what they have to offer.

Here are a few guidelines that you should pay special attention to –

· Suitable Infrastructure – Make sure that the cleaning company for commercial establishments has the required infrastructure both in terms of trained manpower and equipment to handle premises of any size, regardless of whether it is a one room cubicle or spread out over several floors.

· Flexible cleaning schedule – The services you choose should structure their cleaning routine so that work is not disturbed. The job must be finished outside office hours. If you have your work place on separate floors and have different timings for each of them, the cleaners must be prepared to come in at suitable hours, whenever that might be.

· Non toxic cleaning solutions – This is crucial and you should not compromise on this aspect. The contractor that you ultimately decide on should use mild, non toxic cleaning solutions without harsh and abrasive chemicals as its ingredients. It will protect the health of your employees while ensuring a safe office environment.

· Licensed and bonded contractors – Almost all services of commercial cleaning Sydney will be fully insured, bonded and licensed but there is no harm in finding out before signing on the dotted line. This ensures that the strangers who come in for cleaning everyday are reliable and trustworthy.

One final point, remember that it is always advisable to opt for long term cleaning contracts. Not only does it assure a certain level of security as the same cleaners are deployed round the year, it also works out cheaper in the long run as such agreements have built-in discounts.

Tailor Made For Corporate Success

December 14, 2015 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Remember that saying ‘first impressions count’? Well, they do. Especially in the business world, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress like yourself. A tailor made suit should be a reflection of who you are and not what others want you to be. It should enhance the little nuances that make you stand out. A good tailor will know this from the moment you walk in the door and will utilise their expertise to give you that sharp look your peers and clients will respect.

There’s no feeling like putting on a bespoke suit that just moulds to your body perfectly. It immediately improves your posture and makes you come across more confident, and with confidence comes a higher sense of authority – making that first impression last.

Taking the time to look sharp portrays a sense of self-respect too. A little bit of pride is a healthy attribute and taking pride in the way you suit up will definitely emit this sense of self-worth, meaning you can keep your integrity intact and not completely sell out who you are to get to where you want to be. Tailored means you are respecting your bodies different attributes and at the same time showing them in the best light to colleagues and business partners.

A tailor made suit plays a big role in everything mentioned, but without the right accessories to compliment, you may be missing that edge over others to make you stand out. If you are trying to portray that executive look then it’s all about those finishing touches that will make everything come together perfectly. People tend to notice the little things first, even though they are the last things we put on.

The first thing that will tie your suit together is, well, the tie. Choosing the right tie to compliment your body type as well as the suit lapel and the suit colour is crucial in moulding everything together nicely. Secondly, a good pocket square can really highlight your suits attributes and also your personality. There are many styles, fabrics and colours out there so be sure to experiment or talk to an expert tailor about what will work for you. Thirdly, nothing says executive more than a classy tie bar. It can provide the ultimate finishing touch to your tailored suit. Although limited in colour (usually gold or silver), you would be surprised how much it can enhance your overall look. Oh, and don’t forget to polish your shoes.

First impressions are important, but lasting ones will determine your success in the corporate world. Dressing right will aid with overall confidence which will, in turn, provide you with a general stance of authority when making that next pitch or contributing in the next boardroom discussion.

Business

10 Expenses You Can Claim as a Uber Car Driver

List of Expenses for Claiming Tax Deductions