Buying & Selling

Are you starting or buying a business? There are some basics that you will need to know, including how best to set up your entreprise, regulations to comply with, registrations to complete; in fact, there's quite a list.

You can navigate to these articles by using the drop-down menus on the left of this screen, or click on the links below.

• To get the low-down on starting up, read our story Business basics: What you need to know. There are also tips on getting a tax file number and an Australian business number.
• There are different ways to set up your business, and each will be more suited to your enterprise depending on your circumstances. See our story Structuring the right vehicle for your business.
• One day, for any number of reasons, you will close up shop. Find out what is involved when you sell your business by reading Closing the door. While on this topic, it may be good to brush up on succession planning by reading Successful succession: It just takes proper planning. And you may be interested to read the ins and outs of business liquidation; see Liquidation: The facts.
• Selling goods or services will bring one very common tax to the table. Goods & services tax is a very common element in Australia's commercial world, and you will need to know all the basics of GST to be able to go about your business. Read Goods and services tax: The essentials to find out more. Also see information on excises, and also the wine equalisation tax.
• If you are a consultant or a contractor, you should read Selling your skills, knowledge or advice.
• Capital gains tax will figure in your tax planning at some stage of business life, so find out what you need to know by reading Does your business need to pay capital gains tax? And see how CGT will affect the treatment of your assets in CGT and property, shares and business assets.
• Small business has been given a break by the Tax Office through several tax concessions. See if you qualify by reading Concessions for the engine room.
• Australia's regional areas are of crucial importance to the country's fortunes. Find out how tax figures in the life of the primary producer. See Primary production and regional Australia.