Shire of Noosa, Queensland
Accountant in Noosa Heads
A business on Hastings Street, and how overseas pensions are taxed
BAS, GST reviews, cash flow and tax returns for Noosa Heads hospitality businesses and households, from a CPA practice.
Noosa Heads is in the Shire of Noosa, 35.4 km north of Maroochydore. Between 2008 and 2013 it was part of the Sunshine Coast Region. Its main street, Hastings Street, runs directly behind the seashore, and the beach has drawn visitors since the 1890s. In the 2021 Census, Cafes and Restaurants employed 8.0% of working residents and Accommodation 5.2%.
Noosa Heads by the numbers
The 2021 Census for the suburb of Noosa Heads.
The northeast of the locality is inside Noosa National Park, where Noosa Hill rises to 146 metres. There are no schools in Noosa Heads.
The suburb had 5,120 residents with a median age of 54. Of its 3,491 private dwellings, 1,201, or 37.6%, were unoccupied on Census night. Of the occupied homes, 49.0% were owned outright. After Cafes and Restaurants and Accommodation, the next industries were Real Estate Services at 3.1% and Clothing Retailing at 2.7%. Managers made up 19.9% of employed residents, 41.3% of the labour force worked part-time, and 27.5% of employed residents worked at home.
Of residents, 7.6% were born in England, New Zealand 4.0%, South Africa 1.8%, the United States 1.4% and Scotland 1.2%.
Three questions for Noosa Heads
GST and BAS in a retail or hospitality business
Why it happens
A cafe, boutique or holiday accommodation business may sell in person, online or through booking platforms, with GST on most sales and purchases.
Why it matters
Wrong GST coding on purchases or sales flows straight into the BAS, and the error repeats every quarter until someone finds it.
How we help
Lomandra Accounting offers BAS lodgements, GST reviews and payroll aligned to STP and award settings. For BAS, we prepare and lodge accurately using reconciled figures and check GST coding to avoid common errors.
Knowing where the cash is
Why it happens
Takings, wages, rent and stock move at different speeds through the year.
Why it matters
Without a forecast, a quiet month or a large supplier bill arrives without warning, and prices are set without the margin in view.
How we help
Forecast the next three months from your bank data and update it each month.
A pension or income from overseas
Why it happens
A resident who worked in England, New Zealand, South Africa or elsewhere can still receive a pension, rent or investment income from that country.
Why it matters
An Australian resident must declare assessable foreign income. Most foreign pensions and annuities are taxable in Australia even when the other country has already withheld tax, and a foreign income tax offset may be available for that foreign tax. Income and foreign tax must be converted to Australian dollars.
How we help
We focus on understanding your circumstances, from employment income and deductions to investments and rental properties, so your return reflects your real position. Bring the overseas payment statements and any record of tax withheld.
Frequently asked questions
Do I declare my UK pension in Australia?
If you are an Australian resident, yes. Most foreign pensions are taxable in Australia even when tax has already been withheld overseas, and the amount must be converted to Australian dollars.
Can I claim a credit for tax paid overseas?
You may be able to claim a foreign income tax offset for foreign tax paid on income that is also taxable in Australia.
Can Lomandra Accounting do the BAS for a Hastings Street cafe?
Yes. Lomandra Accounting proudly works with trades, hospitality businesses, and property investors across Australia.
Noosa Heads is in the Shire of Noosa. Does that change anything for tax?
No. Council boundaries affect rates and planning, not income tax, GST or super, which are set by the ATO for all of Australia.
Where to next
Have a question?
Work with Lomandra Accounting
We operate as a virtual accounting firm, meaning we work efficiently online with phone, video, and email support, wherever you're based in Australia.
Lomandra Accounting is a CPA Practice, registered with the Tax Practitioners Board and an SMSF Specialist. Emma, the Director, is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in commercial business management, and specialises in Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs).
- 07 5234 9201
- admin@lomandraa.com.au
- Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm