We are starting a new practice and would love to hear your views on;

Whether it is best to work as "self employed", sole trader, or a Pty Ltd company or other?

How to handle people working for us. Whether to employ them (then cover them for workers comp and pay their tax) or whether to hire their services as "contractors" leaving their own insurance and tax issues to them.

Any other do's and don'ts would be greatly appreciated too !

Thanks so much ! Michelle.

-- Michelle Gayford (parkertech@bigpond.com), May 21, 2002

Answers

Hi Michelle, If you can get your hands on Michael Weir's book ''Complementary Medicine: Ethics and Law'', it will answer most your questions. The ISBN is:0-646-39628-5. Printers: Merino Litho Pty Ltd, Australia, and it was published in 2000.

In fact, I've just looked inside the front cover, and you can purchase the book from Prometheus Publications on ph 07 3366 5196, email: promethe@ozramp.net.au

Hope this helps, Fiona

-- Fiona Henderson (cooredulla@bigpond.com), June 03, 2002.

Hi Michelle,

I may be a bit late with this response, as its been awhile since Ive been browseing. Anyway, I purchased a book which I found very usefull as far as to opperate as a "sole trader" versus "company" etc..Its called "Tax for the very small business" by Susan Young & Kate Robinson. It explains all the differences, what you are entitled to claim as a "sole trader" versus "company". For me, who has no understanding of Tax, it was very helpful. Good luck

-- Anne Merlino (annemerlino@msn.com), December 18, 2003.