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Keeping your virtual team on track

Posted on February 6, 2020 by admin

Managing a virtual team can offer challenges that you won’t experience in-person teamwork. It can be harder to schedule meetings, show demonstrations and build connections. However, having a virtual team offers convenience, opportunity and freedom for the team members, so here are some tips to help you make it work…

Define goals and roles
At the start of the project, outline the project goals and objectives so that everyone is working towards the same thing. Delegate roles and obligations to each team member to avoid confusion and overlap. This will keep the team on track despite not physically seeing what each other is up to.

Stay engaged
In-person teams have many opportunities to check in with each other and see each other’s progress. As a virtual manager, it is important to create opportunities to stay in touch with your team, such as having regular phone calls or checkpoint meetings. This will provide your team with regular reminders of work that will help keep them on track and meeting checkpoint deadlines.

Use online tools
While you’ll most likely already be using online messaging tools, there are plenty of other apps and platforms you can also use to improve organisation and productivity. You can search for collaborative tools for things like mind mapping, video calls, sketching, calendars, to-do lists and schedules. These online tools can help your team see each other’s ideas, progress and deadlines.

Create time for casual interactions
Building connections between team members can be difficult with exclusively online work. If appropriate, you can consider creating opportunities for your team to get to know each other on a more casual basis to improve moods and collaboration. If everyone in the team lives very remotely, you can have more relaxed video calls where everyone can introduce themselves and chat as well as work. If the team lives in the same city, consider having in-person meetings and outings.

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No More Shortcuts: The Methods You Can Use To Claim WFH Expenses

Posted on March 25, 2024 by admin

Ensure you’re up to date on how to claim your working-from-home expenses!

As the business landscape shifts back and forth between office, hybrid and home-based work opportunities, it’s important to remember what methods are available to you when it comes to claiming. If part of your role allows you to work from home, you may be able to claim certain expenses on your tax return this year using one of the following methods.

The Revised Fixed Rate Method:

Under the revised fixed rate method, individuals can claim 67 cents per hour worked from home during the relevant income year. This rate includes additional running expenses, such as home and mobile internet or data, phone usage, and electricity and gas for heating, cooling, and lighting. Importantly, using this method, you cannot claim separate deductions for these expenses.

To use this method, taxpayers must maintain records of the total number of hours worked from home and the expenses incurred while working at home. Additionally, they must keep records of expenses not covered by the fixed rate per work hour, demonstrating the work-related portion of those expenses.

What Records Do You Need?

Previously, taxpayers required a dedicated workspace at home. From 1st March 2023 onwards, the record-keeping requirement has shifted again, necessitating the recording of all hours worked from home as they occur.

How Does The Fixed Rate Method Work?

To utilise the revised fixed rate method:

The Actual Cost Method:

Alternatively, taxpayers can opt for the actual cost method, where deductions are calculated based on actual additional expenses incurred while working from home. This includes expenses for depreciating assets, energy expenses, phone and internet, stationery, computer consumables, and cleaning dedicated home offices.

What Records Do You Need?

To claim work-from-home expenses using actual costs, you must maintain records showing:

How Does The Actual Cost Method Work?

To claim actual expenses:

Australians need to understand their entitlements and tax deductions while working remotely.

Consulting with a tax advisor can provide valuable insights into available concessions, deductions, and offsets for your tax return.

By staying informed and adhering to ATO guidelines, taxpayers can ensure compliance and make the most of available deductions in the evolving landscape of remote work. Why not start a conversation with us today?

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