What accounting support do construction businesses need?

Construction businesses need job costing, BAS, GST checks, payroll setup, cash flow planning, and correct tax treatment for tools, equipment, vehicles, and subcontractors.

What can tradies claim as tax deductions?}

Tradies claim tools, equipment, vehicle costs, work clothing, licences, insurance, phone use, materials, training, and protective gear linked to work activities.

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WE SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION AND ALL TRADIES WITH ACCOUNTING, TAX, AND BOOKKEEPING

Construction and trades rely on fast work, strong planning, and steady cash flow. You deal with changing job sites, shifting supply prices, and tight labour schedules. Your accounting needs to follow this pace. You need systems that keep you compliant and ready for each project. You need support for cash flow, payroll, BAS, GST, and end of year tax work. You need simple tools that keep your numbers correct each month. Trinity Accounting Practice supports construction businesses and all trades with full accounting, tax, and bookkeeping services that work with your schedule.

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This guide explains how we support builders, contractors, and trades across Australia. You will read about job costing, payroll, GST, BAS, tax planning, business setups, deductions, record keeping, structure reviews, cash flow planning, subcontractor records, insurance checks, workers compensation needs, and ATO compliance. You will also see how we set up and manage Xero for construction. The goal is to give you direct guidance and a clear view of how accounting supports your daily work.

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Construction Businesses We Support

We work with small and mid-size construction businesses. This includes sole traders, companies, and family-run groups. You might run one crew or manage several teams. You might focus on residential or commercial work. You might mix both. You might handle short-term jobs or long builds. Our accounting approach fits each model.

We also support all trades. This includes carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, tilers, HVAC technicians, roofers, concreters, bricklayers, plasterers, landscapers, fencers, and general contractors. Each trade has different tax needs, different costs, and different tools. We adjust your accounting to match your work.

The aim is to reduce pressure, protect profits, and keep your accounts correct. We keep your file ready for tax time, BAS lodgement, payroll, and ATO checks. You stay focused on your jobs. We handle the accounting details.

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Why Construction Accounting Needs Structure

Construction moves fast. Expenses hit your account from suppliers, fuel, tools, subcontractors, insurance, and repairs. Jobs rarely follow the same pattern. You deal with deposits, progress payments, variations, and delayed invoices. Payroll changes each week. Incorrect tracking hurts your cash flow.

A structured accounting system protects you. It gives you a clear record of every cost and payment. It shows which jobs make profit. It shows when projects fall behind. It shows which suppliers need payment soon. It shows your tax liabilities before they become a surprise. It keeps the ATO content.

When your accounting is structured, you see the full picture. You plan better. You quote with confidence. You avoid large tax bills. You reduce risk. You stay organised.

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How We Support Construction and Trades

Job Costing
We set up job costing in Xero so each job shows its labour, materials, subcontractors, and overheads. You see correct margins. You see which jobs perform well. You adjust future quotes based on data.

Cash Flow
We prepare cash flow plans so you know when money enters and leaves. This includes supplier payments, payroll, super, GST, BAS, and tax instalments. You avoid shortfalls and stay prepared.

Payroll
We set up payroll, track hours, manage allowances, add penalty rates, add super, fix errors, and lodge STP. Your staff are paid correctly. Your compliance stays intact.

GST and BAS
We prepare and lodge BAS. We check GST codes, invoices, receipts, and credits. Construction often has mixed GST treatment. We keep each code correct and avoid ATO issues.

Tax Returns
We prepare your business tax return. We review all deductions linked to construction. We check assets, depreciation, tools, vehicles, equipment, and insurance. We support audits if the ATO reviews your file.

Financial Statements
We prepare financial statements for lenders, builders warranty applications, tender submissions, insurance renewals, and internal planning.

Structure Review
We review sole trader, company, trust, and partnership structures. We confirm the correct structure for protection, tax timing, and succession.

Record Keeping
We set up clean record keeping systems. This includes receipts, invoices, bank feeds, subcontractor records, workers compensation files, vehicle logs, and payroll documents.

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Tax Deductions for Construction and Trades

Tools and Equipment
You claim drills, saws, laser levels, ladders, tool bags, grinders, nail guns, PPE, and other tools. You claim replacements and repairs. You claim depreciation for larger assets.

Motor Vehicle
You claim fuel, repairs, insurance, rego, tyres, loan interest, and depreciation for work vehicles. You track work use and keep records.

Work Clothing
You claim protective clothing, high visibility gear, steel cap boots, and laundry expenses.

Phone and Internet
You claim the work portion of mobile phone use, job photos, site plans, supplier calls, and emails.

Licences and Training
You claim trade licences, renewals, compliance training, safety tickets, and short courses.

Insurance
You claim public liability, tools insurance, vehicle coverage, and income protection.

Subcontractors
You claim subcontractor expenses, invoices, and site labour.

Materials and Supplies
You claim timber, cement, paint, piping, wiring, fixtures, fasteners, hardware, and project-specific materials.

Home Office
If you manage admin at home, you claim the portion linked to work use.

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Xero Setup for Construction and Trades

Chart of Accounts
We build or repair your chart of accounts. We add construction categories. We group labour, materials, subcontractors, fuel, small tools, large tools, insurance, licences, and overheads.

Bank Feeds
We connect your bank accounts and business cards. We clean duplicates and fix incorrect entries.

Bank Rules
We create bank rules to automate recurring expenses. This reduces manual entry and keeps records accurate.

Quotes and Invoices
We set up templates for quotes and invoices. We add your logo. We add line items for labour, materials, and variations. We enable online payments.

Job Tracking
We add tracking categories and job numbers. You see each project’s performance.

Payroll
We add employees, add super funds, add allowances, add penalty rates, and ensure correct classifications.

STP
We lodge payroll through Single Touch Payroll.

Super
We ensure super contributions are accurate and paid on time.

Reports
We set up job profit reports, cash flow reports, business activity reports, and monthly summaries.

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Cash Flow Support for Builders and Trades

Cash flow drives construction. Your income depends on progress payments, final payments, and variations. Your expenses arrive daily. Without a clear plan, money leaves faster than it enters.

We prepare cash flow projections for each month. We add upcoming bills, payroll cycles, and BAS dates. We show the impact of large purchases. We plan for tax instalments. You get stability.

We also review your quoting style. Under-quoting is common in trades. You often forget to add waste, delays, machine hire, or last-minute materials. Better data improves pricing.

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Problems We Fix for Construction Clients

Late BAS
We fix your file and bring your BAS up to date. We prepare each quarter and lodge on time.

Wrong GST Codes
Construction invoices use complex GST codes. We fix errors and prevent penalties.

Missing Invoices
We rebuild your data. We locate missing receipts. We add supplier bills. You stay ready for checks.

Poor Cash Flow
We prepare forecasts and add controls. You see each payment due. You avoid stress.

Overdue Payroll
We correct payroll, add categories, and fix STP lodgements.

Subcontractor Records
We organise subcontractor files for tax compliance and insurance renewals.

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Business Structures for Construction

Sole Trader
Simple, but with lower protection.

Company
Stronger protection, cleaner payroll, and better tax timing.

Trust
Useful for family planning and asset protection.

Partnership
Works when you share control with another person.

We advise the correct structure based on your needs.

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Insurance, Workers Compensation, and Compliance

Construction carries risk. You need correct insurance and compliance.

Public Liability
Protects you on site.

Workers Compensation
Required for employees in most states.

Trade Licences
Keep your licence current.

Subcontractor Agreements
Protect your work.

ATO Compliance
Correct lodgements avoid issues.

We review your coverage and confirm missing areas.

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Growth Support for Construction

Better Pricing
We use data from job costing to refine quotes.

Lower Costs
We review expenses and remove waste.

Clear Reporting
You see profit, cash flow, and liabilities.

Planning
We plan tax payments, BAS cycles, and cash flow needs.

Funding
We prepare financial statements for lenders.

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Working With Trinity Accounting Practice

We keep your file clean.
We prepare BAS on time.
We manage payroll.
We manage super.
We prepare your tax return.
We support your growth.
We reduce stress.
You focus on your work. We handle the numbers.

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Trinity Accounting Practice

Trinity Accounting Practice
159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
02 9543 6804
Booking Link https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna
www.trinitygroup.com.au

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🌐 Our Virtual CFO division, VCFO Australia, provides strategic financial management, budgeting,forecasting, and compliance support for growing businesses andnot-for-profits: https://www.vcfoaus.au/

📌 Learn more about whatwe offer:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/services

📌 Discover the industries we specialise in:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/niches

📌 Read more tax and accounting tips on our blog:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/explore-learn

📌 Our mortgage brokeage division, Nexus Wealth Partners Pty Ltd clients with home loans, refinancing and business finance
https://nexuswealth.au/

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Our Best Blogs and links

https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/accounting-for-tradies-sydney

https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/post/best-bookkeeping-services-for-tradies-in-sydney

https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/post/the-ultimate-guide-for-company-directors-legal-duties

https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/post/depreciating-assets-in-rental-properties

https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/post/introducing-suitefiles-client-login

https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/post/why-does-business-structure-matter