| The buck stops with you
Being your own boss sounds attractive but it comes with a lot of paperwork and financial challenges. Provided, however, you are well organised, it is not an insurmountable task. A study conducted by the University of Sydney's Workplace Research Centre, titled Australia at Work: The Benchmark Report, found the self-employed make up 14.9 per cent of the 2007 workforce - up from 14 per cent last year, when Work Choices was introduced. Of this group, 8.9 per cent were contractors and 5.9 per cent owned their own business. If this trend continues, a large number of Australians will have to get their heads around the requirements for setting up shop on your own. Wayne Wilson, Asgard's director of sales and distribution, says establishing the right business structure is the first step, whether it is as a sole trader, partnership, company or trust.
Preview Calendar
Editor's note: The deadline for Preview Calendar items is noon Monday the week before the event takes place. Items submitted after the noon deadline will not be printed in the Preview Calendar. Ongoing Charleston's Holiday Market: The sights, sounds, aromas and textures of the holiday season will come together under one roof at Charleston's Holiday Market. Aisles of specialty boutiques with items to fulfill every holiday need or wish, visits and photos with Santa, gourmet foods, fine art in a variety of media, original crafts, plus seasonal decorating, feasting and entertaining ideas galore. $6 for adults and $1 for children 6-12. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 9; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 10; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 11. N. Charleston Coliseum Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive. Call 336-282-5550 or visit www.holidaymarket.com.
PM promises most competitive taxes on 'planet'
Canada's economy remains rock-solid despite the many challenges facing it -- and low taxes will help it stay that way, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Harper promised Thursday that to maintain and enhance Canada's prosperity over the long term, his Conservative government would develop "one of the most competitive and attractive tax environments on the planet." Given challenges such as weakness in major export markets and the rapid rise in the Canadian dollar, which soared to US$1.10 on Wednesday before sagging, the government decided to announce new tax cuts in its recent financial statement to spur optimism, he said. Those new cuts reduced taxes by $60 billion. "The total actions taken by this government to date are approaching $200 billion over the next five years," Harper said.
|
