Tax debt specialist Olga Koskie explains why it's not all doom and gloom in relation to payment plans and tax debts despite a shift in the ATO's approach.

In this latest episode, Tax Assure director and principal Olga Koskie shares what she's currently seeing in practice in terms of the ATO's approach to tax debts and the types of terms it is willing to agree to with payment plans.

While the ATO is now firmly back in active collection mode, Koskie says it is still possible for businesses with tax debts to obtain affordable and sustainable payment plans.

She sheds light on the factors the ATO is looking at when considering when to grant payment plans and what is likely to lead to a more favourable outcome.

Koskie also explains what initial steps businesses with these debts should be taking and how they may need to structure their arrangements based on their specific circumstances, such as projected cash flow.

Heather Smith and Tyler Caskey delve into the latest features, integrations and developments across QuickBooks, MYOB and Xero over April and May.

Accounting app specialist Heather Smith and technology enthusiast and partner at The Bean Counters, Tyler Caskey, share their thoughts on some of the recent updates across accounting apps in the past two months.

They chat about the release of several new features by QuickBooks including the spreadsheets sync feature and the release of the fixed asset register and some recent integrations on the platform.

They also touch on some of the big announcements in the space including Xero's decision to retire Planday and changes with its pricing plans.

Smith and Caskey also highlight some of the other useful features launched across practice management and business management software platforms recently.

Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers partner Sarah Lancaster provides an update on the payroll tax issues continuing to plague medical practices and the critical planning needed in this area.

In this episode, Lancaster shares some of the highlights from her upcoming presentation at the ACE Accounting Conference & Expo next month.

She discusses the potential audit risks facing medical and allied health practices following the rulings that were issued by various revenue offices last year and what firms need to be doing now to manage these risks.

Lancaster also sheds light on other payroll tax issues being audited by state revenue offices and where businesses need to improve their record keeping.