Sole trader and contractor tax, without the guesswork
Tax returns, GST and PAYG instalments for tradies, creatives, consultants and contractors — with practical advice to keep more of what you earn.
- Registered tax agent · TPB 24812228
- Online Australia-wide & Avalon Beach
Indicative fee
From$495
per year
Fixed quote after a free 15-minute call, handled by Jan personally.
Book a free intro callOverview
Working for yourself makes your tax your responsibility: income, expenses, GST, PAYG instalments and the records behind them. It's a lot to keep on top of when you'd rather be doing the work you're actually paid for.
Jan looks after all of it. He prepares your return and business schedule, makes sure expenses are claimed correctly (including the tricky ones, like vehicles and home offices), keeps GST and PAYG instalments on track, and checks in before 30 June so the tax bill is never a shock.
Who it's for
Tradies, consultants, creatives, contractors and gig workers
- Trades, consultants and other contractors
- Consultants, contractors and freelancers
- Creatives, designers and photographers
- Rideshare drivers and other gig workers
- Anyone starting a side business alongside a job
Sole traders & contractors
What's included
Handled personally by Jan and covered by the fixed quote you'll receive before any work begins.
Return and business schedule
Your individual tax return prepared and lodged with the business and professional items schedule.
Income and expenses reconciled
Business income and costs checked against your bank records and bookkeeping, so nothing is missed or counted twice.
GST and PAYG instalments reviewed
Your GST position and PAYG instalments checked against how the business is actually tracking.
Home office and vehicle claims
Home office and car expenses worked out using the method that suits your records and circumstances.
Personal services income checked
If your income mainly comes from your own skills or effort, Jan checks whether the PSI rules change what you can claim.
Pre-30 June check-in
A planning conversation before year end about timing, equipment purchases and what to set aside.
Jan Jansen
Registered Tax Agent · TPB 24812228
The difference
Why work with Jan
A registered tax agent and former Tax Manager, now running his own practice so every client deals with him directly.
Practical, not theoretical
Advice that fits how you actually work: what to track, what to claim and what to put aside for tax.
No end-of-year shocks
A check-in before 30 June means you'll know roughly where you stand before the tax bill arrives.
One fixed fee for the year
Agreed upfront in writing, with no surprise invoices when the work is done.
A direct line to Jan
Questions during the year go straight to the person who prepares your return.
Before you start
What to have ready
Don't worry if you can't lay your hands on everything. After your intro call, Jan sends a tailored checklist, so you only gather what's actually needed.
Your checklist
9 items
- Your ABN and business name details
- Business bank statements for the year
- Sales records or copies of invoices issued
- Receipts and invoices for business expenses
- Access to your bookkeeping software, if you use it
- A vehicle logbook or record of business kilometres
- A record of the hours you worked from home
- Details of tools or equipment bought during the year
- Copies of any BAS lodged during the year
How it works
Four steps, no surprises
From your first enquiry to lodgment, you'll always know what happens next and what it will cost.
- 01
Enquire
Send a short enquiry online. A sentence or two about your situation is plenty.
- 02
Free intro call
A relaxed 15-minute call by phone or video with Jan to understand what you need. No obligation.
- 03
Fixed-fee quote
You receive a clear, written quote before any work begins. No surprise invoices.
- 04
Prepared, reviewed, lodged
Jan prepares everything, walks you through it, then lodges and keeps you updated.
Questions
Your questions, answered
Can't see yours? Browse all FAQs or ask Jan directly.
Should I register for GST if I'm under the threshold?
You must register once your GST turnover reaches $75,000, or straight away if you provide taxi or ride-sourcing services, whatever your turnover. Below that you can choose to register voluntarily. Registering lets you claim GST credits on business purchases, but you'll need to charge GST on your sales and lodge activity statements. Jan can help you weigh up whether it makes sense for your business.
How much should I put aside for tax?
Unlike wages, sole trader income usually has no tax taken out, so the bill arrives after you lodge. Once your business is profitable, the ATO may also ask you to pay PAYG instalments during the year. The right amount to set aside depends on your income and deductions, so Jan will help you estimate it and adjust it as the year unfolds.
What is the instant asset write-off?
Small businesses with an aggregated turnover under $10 million can generally deduct the full cost of an eligible asset costing less than $20,000 in the year it's first used or installed ready for use, rather than depreciating it over several years. The $20,000 threshold applied for 2025–26 and has been made permanent from 1 July 2026. Eligibility rules apply, so it's worth checking with Jan before you buy.
Can I claim my car and home office?
Often, yes, to the extent they're used for your business. Car expenses can be claimed using the cents per kilometre method or the logbook method, and home office costs depend on whether your home is genuinely a place of business or simply where you do some of your work. The right records make all the difference, so Jan will tell you exactly what to keep.
What are the personal services income rules?
If most of your income is for your personal skills or effort, which is common for contractors and consultants, the personal services income (PSI) rules can limit the deductions you can claim and stop you splitting that income with others, unless you're carrying on a personal services business. Jan will work out whether the rules apply to you.
Should I be a sole trader or a company?
It depends on your income, risk, plans and how much profit you want to reinvest. Operating as a sole trader is simple and inexpensive; a company or trust can offer flexibility but comes with more cost and compliance. Jan can compare the options using your own numbers in a tax planning session.
Keep exploring
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Further reading
All insights- Small business · 7 min readSole trader tax: a practical guide for 2025–26 and 2026–27Read the article
- Small business · 7 min readSmall business tax deductions for 2025–26 and 2026–27Read the article
- Small business · 7 min readBAS due dates for 2026–27: quarterly, monthly and agent datesRead the article
Sole traders & contractors
Talk it through with Jan.
Tell Jan a little about your situation and he'll come back to you within one business day to arrange a free 15-minute intro call. No obligation, no hard sell.
Based in Avalon Beach · Online Australia-wide, in person on the Northern Beaches by arrangement