Free workshop helps businesses tackle tax

City of Moreton Bay small businesses are being offered free support to strengthen their approach to tax, cash flow and compliance as research highlights the financial and emotional pressures that can lead business owners to fall behind.

UniSC research into small business tax attitudes and behaviours found half of the small business clients surveyed delayed business tax tasks, while almost two-thirds avoided starting tax work when they already had a lot of other work to do.

Only around one-third felt confident they managed their business tax well.

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Retha Scheepers said business owners generally wanted to meet their obligations but could become overwhelmed by the competing demands of running a business.

“Our findings suggest that small business owners feel overwhelmed, so procrastinate, which makes the problem harder to deal with,” Retha said.

The findings come at a time when tax debt is a significant issue for Australian small businesses more broadly. The Australian Taxation Office has reported small businesses account for more than $35 billion in collectable debt.

CreditorWatch’s June 2026 Business Risk Index found 35,361 businesses had ATO tax debts exceeding $100,000, including 19,024 sole traders. Businesses above the $100,000 threshold recorded an average insolvency rate of 21.9 per cent over the previous 12 months, compared with 0.7 per cent nationally.

UniSC’s research suggests businesses can struggle with their tax obligations for very different reasons.

Three different tax experiences 

Interviews with Tax Clinic clients highlighted three contrasting experiences that UniSC researchers developed into illustrative personas.

Startup Founder: Proactive and financially organised but needs practical guidance because tax, GST and BAS obligations are new.

Overwhelmed Sole Trader: Facing financial pressure and competing personal or business demands, making paperwork and compliance harder to manage.

Avoidant Professional: May understand tax and keep good records but repeatedly puts it off because the task has become associated with anxiety and fear.

“The key insight from this was that there isn’t one type of business owner who struggles with tax,” Retha said.

“Business owners may need support because of a knowledge gap, financial vulnerability or because tax has become psychologically overwhelming.”

Retha said interviews conducted as part of the research also highlighted the emotional factors associated with avoiding or delaying tax-related tasks, with some business owners experiencing anxiety about what they owe, fear of falling behind or concern about being judged when asking for help.

“The longer someone delays, the more difficult the situation can feel, which can create a cycle of anxiety and further avoidance,” Retha said.

To provide practical support, UniSC will hold its free Building Long-Term Tax Success workshop at its Moreton Bay campus on Tuesday, September 29 from 10am to noon.

The workshop is supported by the City of Moreton Bay Business Boost Initiative, which sponsors UniSC Tax Clinic workshops for small businesses across the Moreton Bay region.

The two-hour session will provide practical, jargon-free guidance on business structures, managing tax obligations and cash flow throughout the year, GST and BAS, tax debt and director loans, navigating ATO systems and developing better ongoing tax habits.

One of the important roles of the Tax Clinic consultations and workshops is to provide a non-judgemental environment where business owners can start working through the problem rather than continuing to put it off,” Retha said.

Sole traders, micro and small businesses, newer business owners and anyone feeling uncertain or overwhelmed by their tax obligations are particularly encouraged to attend. Established businesses wanting stronger systems can also participate.

The workshop is free, with registrations important to ensure sufficient space and catering.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Building Long-Term Tax Success

When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 10am–12pm
Where: UniSC Moreton Bay campus
Cost: Free
Registration: Important for capacity and catering
Register: https://www.unisc.edu.au/community/unisc-clinics/tax-clinic-in-moreton-bay/tax-clinic-workshop-building-long-term-tax-success