ESS – How do you work out the ‘discount’ when you grant an interest under an ESS?

When setting up an ‘employee share scheme’ (ESS), employers often grapple with the tax implications of issuing ESS interests. However, these concerns only arise if there is a ‘discount’ at the time the ESS interest is granted. Working out if there is a discount, and what the extent of the discount is, are therefore two critical threshold questions.
ESS – Qualifying for ‘deferral’ of the taxable discount

How do you qualify to defer any tax otherwise payable on shares and options acquired under an employee share scheme? When does the deferral come to an end?
To what extent can a company indemnify a director?

There are over 700 laws that can impose personal liability on directors. While it is common for companies to provide directors with an ‘indemnity’ or ‘insurance cover’ for these liabilities, there are limitations and restrictions on how far this indemnity and cover can extend.
How much is the ASIC lodgement fee to set up a company in Australia?

How much is the ASIC fee to set up a company in Australia?
How do I protect my ‘ideas’?

Most people realise the importance of protecting their Intellectual Property. But ‘ideas’ and ‘concepts’ aren’t a form of IP, as there is no ‘property’ capable of being protected. Don’t despair, there are ways to protect and exploit your interests.
Take-it or leave-it (or perhaps ‘void-it’)? Some things to consider in your Website Development Agreements

Website developers understand very clearly the notion of the ‘information architecture’ of a website, yet not all of them get it when it comes to the architecture of the service agreement they enter with their clients
How do I get out of a contract I wish I never signed?

You signed a contract, but things aren’t working out. It happens. In this article we explore some ways you might be able to get yourself out of the deal.
I’m a ‘start-up’. How should I set up my new business?

So you’ve just come up with a great business concept, given it a test-drive among your family and friends, and now want to go to the next stage. What do you do? You need to put together the ‘playing field’ for your venture. In other words, you need a ‘business structure’.
How do companies work?

When we hear the word ‘company’, we all think we know what the person is talking about. We deal with companies every day. Most of us work for a company, and we certainly buy things from them. But companies are actually a strange thing. Let’s start with a bit of a history lesson.
You’re hired! Strategies to improve your recruitment process

One of the most expensive aspects of running a business is paying employees. But just as great employees can be a real asset, underperforming employees can be a real drain on resources. Hiring employees is all about choosing people who are going to add value to your business. While there is no exact formula, there […]