A small business specialist’s guide to The Tax Summit

Are you up to date on the latest in the SME tax space? This October at the ICC, Sydney we're getting together for the biggest tax event of the year: The Tax Summit.

It’s the first time we’ve held an event of this size, scope and shine since the inaugural Tax Summit in 2020 and we’re excited to welcome small business tax specialists from around the country.

Small businesses are the heart of Australia’s economy and communities. As the tax professionals who support them, you’re key to keeping their lights on and helping them grow. Working with small business comes with its own challenges, rewards, necessary skills and knowledge-base.

This is a quick guide to how we’ve built The Tax Summit experience to help keep your knowledge sharp and keep you connected to the small business tax community.

Published: 13 September 2022

Other SME stream sessions:

• Session 4.1: Section 100A and Division 7A – Are you in the right zone?
• Session 5.1: Restructures, Demergers and Buybacks
• Session 10.1: The elephant in the room – ageing population and ageing structures
• Session 13.1: Assembling the Evidence
• Session 14.1: Outlays on refurbishments – A repair or an improvement?
• Session 15.1: Outlays on refurbishments – Practical scenarios
• Session 18.1: SMSF Structuring
• Session 19.1: SMSF Investment Strategies

All the SME sessions are set to be useful and valuable. You know your practice best, so check out the full program to see what you’re most interested in. 

Don’t miss these big-name speakers!

Session 12

Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman Address

Speaker: Karen Payne, CTA, Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman

Hear from the IGTO on the functions, powers, and duties of her office, as well as some key examples of ongoing and completed investigations.

Session 7

Q&A Panel – Creating the catalyst for change

Jo Masters, Barrenjoey, Bruce Billson, Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, The Hon Allegra Spender, MP, Scott Treatt, CTA, The Tax Institute

Facilitator: Leigh Sales, Journalist and Author

Join our expert panel to explore the role of technology in business both now and in the future, what business can expect from a new Government operating within these settings, and the role our tax system can play.

Who to meet at The Tax Summit

With attendees from across the tax, legal and business spaces, everyone at The Tax Summit is someone worth knowing. But while putting your networking skills to good use, keep your eyes peeled for these key players:

Networking tips

The Tax Summit is a fantastic opportunity to network with other professionals in the small business tax space. But that’s sometimes easier said than done.

Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your new connections.

1. Set goals for your time. Ask yourself why you’re networking and tailor your conversations accordingly. Are you looking for senior connections to offer guidance? Or peers to collaborate with? Hint: networking is about building relationships – don’t dive into asking favours right away.
2. Plan your approach. Starting can be the hardest part when meeting someone new. Make it easy on yourself by kicking off with a conversation about an SME session from the event!
3. Have something to offer. Whether it’s a sounding board for their ideas or an insight into your practice, offering support and help of some kind is a great way to make a memorable connection. 
4. Connect in ways that make you comfortable. Often, comfort = confidence. Identify a style of networking that works for you and use it! 
5. Be consistent. Regular networking not only grows your sphere of influence, it also helps you develop this valuable skill. Practice makes perfect, and by the third day of The Tax Summit, you’ll be an expert.
6. Continue the connection. When you’ve struck up an engaging conversation with someone new, suggest connecting on LinkedIn to keep that connection open.
7. Nurture your network. The job’s not over just because the event is! Reach out to new people in your network to continue your conversation, thank them for connecting, or raise new ideas.

Social events to join

Sydney is an incredible destination, with dining and fun activities galore. If you’re heading in from out of state, we recommend making your visit a little more special with activities like a trip to Taronga Zoo, dinner with a (bird's eye) view courtesy of Sydney Sea Planes or a self-guided adventure through the hidden bars of York, Clarence and Kent Streets (known locally as YCK).

There are also some fantastic evenings planned as part of The Tax Sumit (if we do say so ourselves.)  After limited opportunities to kick your heels up in the last few years, isn’t time you dusted off your dancing shoes and joined us?