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        Ethical Gigs  
     
    The Musicians' Union helps Venues and Musicians
    In the current economic climate it is tough for musicians to get gigs where a decent rate of pay is guaranteed. The Musicians' Union has identified one of the reasons for this as the high risk factor faced by venues and other promoters when they put on live gigs. The normal business solution to managing risk is underwriting, so The MUA has decided to apply this solution to the live music scene and has come up with a program called "Ethical Gigs".

    Ethical Gigs guarantees a fair minimum payment to every musician who plays at an Ethical Gig and also guarantees a single minimum payment to whoever is putting on the gig (this may be the venue, a promoter or anyone else who is taking the risk). Ethical Gigs can apply to any style of music and any size of act from a solo up.

    Ethical Gigs does not cost the venue, or the musician anything. Venues who are participants in the Ethical Gigs program are under no obligation to make all (or even a specified percentage of their gigs) part of the program. The program does not interfere in venues' selection of bands. Any venue and any band can be eligible to be part of the program.

    Contact us now and let us show you how Ethical Gigs can work for you:


    Musicians Union of Australia
    150 Bell St. Coburg 3158
    Tel: (03)9355 7620
    Fax: (03)9355 7621
    Email: ethicalgigs@people.net.au

      Taxation Information for Musicians  

    DISCLAIMER:  The following information has been provided by the Australian Tax Office.
    The Musicians Union of Australia publishes this information on its web-site as a service to its members, however,
    we take no responsibility for inaccuracies or errors in the ATO publications which are presented as provided by them.

    Australian Taxation Office Fact Sheets 2007

    Changes to Superannuation Laws re Unpaid Super     (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 36k.)

    Australian Taxation Office Fact Sheets 2006

    Superannuation Contribution Splitting      (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 102.5k.)

    Departing Australia Superannuation Payments      (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 124k.)

    Superannuation Holding Accounts      (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 34k.)

    Workforce Education Program      (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 95k.)


    Superannuation Guarantee Reporting Fact Sheets 2005

    Employers    (from the ATO)   (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 81k.)

    Employees    (from the ATO)   (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 80k.)

    Employer/Employee    (from the ATO)   (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 95k.)


    Performing Artists make sure you claim all your entitlements from the Tax Office this year.

    To help you with your tax return, the Tax Office has produced a publication specifically for performing artists. This booklet includes information performing artists need to know when claiming work-related expenses. It also contains other useful tips to help complete your tax return, and ensure you claim all your entitlements.

    More information is available in " Occupational Ruling Summary - Performing Artists", which you can get here or from the Tax Office.
    Performing Artists Taxation Advice   (from the ATO)    (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format-  178k.)

    Occupational Ruling Summary   (Performing Artists)    (MS Word® ".DOC" format -  49k.)


    Lodge your tax returns online using E-tax 2004

    E-tax 2004  takes you through an on-screen interview to complete your tax return. Most calculations are done for you and E-tax estimates your tax refund or tax debt. If you need help when using E-tax you will have direct access to dedicated enquiry lines.

    E-Tax Online Lodgement Guide   (from the ATO)    (MS Word® ".DOC"  format - 178k.)

    Guide to the Australian Taxation System    (from the ATO)    (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format - 468k.)

    Workforce Education Program   (Survey from the ATO)      (MS Word® ".DOC"  format -  53k.)


    The Australian Taxation Office website at  www.ato.gov.au  gives access to E-tax, ATO publications,
    a range of deductions for your industry, and overall general information on tax matters.

    Copies of occupational rulings can be downloaded from the Tax Office website  www.ato.gov.au  or
    paper copies can be ordered by calling our Publication Distribution Service on 1300 720 092.

    Details can also be found in TaxPack 2005, at your nearest ATO access centre, or through your tax agent.
    It's Tax Time !   (flyer from the ATO)      (Adobe Acrobat® ".PDF"  format -  75k.)



      Higher Education Loan Program  

     
    DISCLAIMER:  The following information has been provided by the Australian Tax Office.
    The Musicians Union of Australia publishes this information on its web-site as a service to its members, however,
    we take no responsibility for inaccuracies or errors in the ATO publications which are presented as provided by them.

    Do you know Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and Financial Supplement debts
    are indexed on 1 June ?

    Accumulated HECS and Financial Supplement debts are indexed on 1 June each year so that the value of the debt keeps pace with changes in the cost of living. The indexation rate to be applied to accumulated HECS and Financial Supplement debts on 1 June 2005 is 2.4%.

    You may benefit if you make a voluntary repayment before indexation is applied on 1 June. For details on how to make voluntary repayments, read the Voluntary repayments section in Repaying your HECS debt 2004–05.

    Did you know HECS is becoming HELP ?

    On 1 January 2005, the Higher Education Support Act 2003  introduced the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) which replaced the four schemes under the Higher Education Funding Act 1988  including HECS.
    From 1 June 2006 accumulated HECS debts will become accumulated HELP debts.

    More information

    A range of information about HECS and HELP including the publication Repaying your HECS debt (NAT 3913)
    is available from:

    • the Australian Tax Office website
    • from a Tax Office shopfront, or
    • by phoning 1300 720 092.
    • Phone 13 28 60 to obtain fact sheets on a range of topics by fax.
    • Phone 13 28 61 (wait for the welcome message, press 4, then 2), between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday for general HECS and HELP questions.
     
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