Share Your Ideas
Got a game-changing idea? Share it, vote on what matters, and help shape the future of Solo. Your input drives real improvements!Vote for Quotes!
Hey Solmates! 😎 We’ve seen a bunch of you asking if you can create quotes in Solo. Right now, that’s a no-go—but that could change! 🚀 If this feature would make your life 100x easier, smash that vote button and drop a comment! 🗳️💬 Tell us how you’d use it, what you’d love to see, and why it matters to you. The more votes it gets, the closer it gets to landing on our roadmap. Let’s bring this to life! ✨
Introduce yourself and what you do!
Welcome to the Early Access Program. We'd love to hear more about you and your business or side hustle. For example, before I started working at MYOB I had my own IT training business where I needed to keep track of my expenses for the purposes of BAS/tax and would need to invoice for my services on a fortnightly basis. Updating an Excel spreadsheet was time consuming and hard to do on a phone. Imagine if I could do this on my commute to work or even while waiting for kids at swimming or footy practice?! 📱🏉 We can't wait to hear about you! Cheers Sarah at MYOB (formally Toggle Consulting)Add GPS Mileage Tracking to Solo
We’ve heard you! Tracking mileage for tax time can be a total hassle. So, we'd love to hear about your interest in automated GPS mileage trackers. 🚗 Here’s what it could do: • Auto-track your business trips (no more guessing distances) • Crunch the numbers for you • Keep a tidy trip history for tax time • Let you manually add trips when needed Would this make managing your business travel easier? Let us know by up voting or leaving a comment!Connected Accounts - Getting Started
We’d love to say linking your bank to Solo is effortless, but the reality is that some banks are still catching up with open banking. Every bank operates a little differently, but we’ve done the legwork to help make the process as smooth as possible for you. There’s a lot of info here, but don’t worry—we’ll walk you through it step by step. So, grab a coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s get started! Wait, What Is Open Banking? Open banking lets you securely share your financial data with trusted apps like Solo. It’s part of the Consumer Data Right (CDR), regulated by the ACCC, ensuring your data is protected and shared only with your consent. When enabled, your banking data syncs into the Connected Accounts section of Solo, making it easier and safer to manage your finances. Before You Begin: A Quick Checklist Your account is more likely to connect smoothly if: ✅ It’s open banking-ready (most new accounts are!) ✅ Your bank has your up-to-date contact details (no old emails from 2009) ✅ You’re using a currently supported banking product Step-by-Step: Getting Connected Check Your Bank Details First (Trust Us, It’ll Save You Time) Your bank will verify your identity before allowing data sharing, so make sure they have: Your current mobile number (for security verifications) Your updated email address Your correct ID details 💡 Why this matters: Most connection issues happen because banks have outdated contact details. Fixing this first can save you from headaches later. Special Account Types Joint Accounts Everyone needs to give the green light to share data. Approval is usually done via your bank's online platform. Any account holder can pull the plug on sharing at any time. Business Accounts The designated reps need to approve the connection. Managed through your business banking platform. Older Accounts If your account was opened before open banking kicked off, double-check: Is your banking product still available? Do you need to upgrade to a newer version? Does your bank even support open banking yet? (Some are still catching up!) Getting Your Bank Account Open Banking-Ready To enable data sharing, follow these steps: Log in to your bank’s mobile app or internet banking. Look for "open banking," "data sharing," or "consumer data right." Give permission to accredited third-party providers (that's us!). Manage your sharing settings anytime via your bank’s Consent Dashboard. Is your bank asking for an OTP, but it’s not coming through? OTPs are handled entirely by your bank, not Solo, so if you’re not receiving one, it’s worth checking that your contact details are up to date with them. Still no luck? Reach out to your bank, and if needed, escalate to higher support—they’re the only ones who can fix it! Talking to Your Bank? Here’s What to Ask Not all banks have fully embraced open banking yet. If you’re running into trouble, it’s worth checking with your bank. Ask them: Is Open Banking enabled for my account? If not, when will it be available? Still need a hand? Drop a comment below or reach out to our digital assistant in the app to connect with a Community Lead for extra support. And when you're all set, be sure to check out our Learn page for a step-by-step video on how Connected Accounts work in Solo!Sole trader insurance: Which ones do you need?
Sole traders have more control over their business decisions, but that also comes with more responsibility. That’s where insurance comes in. Whether you’re a tradie, hairdresser or bookkeeper, if you’ve chosen to operate as a sole trader, you have a unique amount of freedom over your business decisions. But this freedom also means you’re personally and financially liable should things not go to plan – and that means making sure you’re covered with the appropriate level of insurance. If you’re just getting started as a sole trader, it may be easy to overlook certain forms of insurance as an unacceptable cost, but this may be setting you up for bigger problems in the future. What about access to WorkCover? As a sole trader, you’re not classed as a worker and are therefore ineligible to claim workers compensation in the case of an injury. Instead, you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared for the worst – from compensation claims against you to personal injury or illness – this article covers six key areas of insurance: Income Protection Insurance Public Liability Insurance Tool Insurance Professional Indemnity Insurance TPD Insurance Worker’s Compensation Insurance What is sole trader insurance? Sole trader insurance is a contract by which a sole trader receives financial protection against losses from an insurance company. Sole trader insurances mitigate the risk of financial losses, both big and small, across a number of different categories (see ‘What insurance could a sole trader need?’ below). Why do sole traders need insurance? In most cases, sole trader insurance is not compulsory. But there are a number of reasons why a sole trader might want to take out insurance policies. 1. Legal obligations Depending on the type of business you have or industry you work in, you may be legally required to have specific insurance policies in place. For example, a builder is legally required to take out Home Warranty Insurance in a number of states. This insures the construction work against financial losses due to incomplete building work or bankruptcy. It’s designed to protect those building homes against the death, disappearance or insolvency of the builder. For businesses where customers visit premises, many small businesses take out public liability insurance. Consult your industry body to find out what insurances are legal for your work type. 2. Financial protection In most cases, sole traders don’t have the financial means to cope with extraordinary or unexpected circumstances. Insuring a business against certain financial losses may mean the difference between survival and cessation. 3. Peace of mind Sole traders have enough to worry about without thinking about what could go wrong. Putting the right insurances in place means that sole traders stand a much better chance of achieving work-life balance. What insurance could a sole trader need? There are many different types of insurance policies you can purchase as a sole trader to protect your business and finances. Here are six of the most common ones. 1. Income protection insurance How would you pay your mortgage and ongoing expenses if you were to fall ill or injure yourself and be unable to work? This is a real consideration for sole traders and freelancers, and it’s the reason Income Protection Insurance is often advisable. While savings or a partner’s income might see you through, they might not. Some sole traders may be the sole breadwinner, and others – understandably – won’t want to see their nest egg disappear. Income Protection policies provide financial assistance when you’re unable to earn, via monthly payments of up to 75 percent of your income. Premiums are usually tax deductible and vary depending on factors including age, benefit amount, and the benefit and waiting periods selected. Similar to Income Protection Insurance is Personal Accident and Sickness Insurance. This type of insurance can cover up to 85 percent of weekly earnings, but it is generally more limited than Income Protection, with a shorter benefit period. 2. Public liability insurance Imagine you’re a beauty therapist and a customer slips on some product and breaks their leg in your salon. Or perhaps you run a carpentry business and an employee damages a client’s priceless family heirloom… As a sole trader, you could be paying the price for years to come – unless, of course, you have adequate insurance. A worthwhile investment for many sole traders, public liability insurance covers compensation costs and your legal fees if a third party sues you for injury or property damage resulting from your alleged negligent business activity. While it might not be worthwhile if you’re a graphic designer who works from home, if you interact with suppliers, clients or the public, and could feasibly cause property damage or personal injury to a third party while doing business, public liability insurance is a must. 3. Tool and equipment insurance A workman is only as good as his tools, and – unfortunately – tools are frequently stolen from utes and construction sites. This is a double whammy for tradies because, not only can replacing tools cost thousands of dollars, it can take time. During which time a tool-less tradie may be out of work and out of pocket. Tool insurance provides protection against theft and damage, for example from a fire or vehicle collision. But, coverage does vary widely between policies, so it’s important to read the fine print. You should also make sure your ute or work vehicle is adequately covered for business use. You may need to consider Commercial Motor Insurance. 4. Professional indemnity insurance Actions may speak louder, but words still matter. And they can land you in hot water if you’re in the business of providing advice for a fee. Professional indemnity insurance protects sole traders from third party claims arising as a result of the specialist service or expert advice they have provided. It can cover any damages and compensation costs, as well as legal fees, should you be found to have breached your professional duty, for example by providing incorrect advice or leaking confidential information. Sole traders who typically require this type of insurance include accountants, financial advisors, lawyers, engineers, veterinarians, architects, marketing consultants and allied health professionals, but it may also be relevant to many more. 5. Total and permanent disability insurance Nobody wants to expect the worst, but it’s smart to be prepared for it. Particularly if you have high living expenses and dependents. Total and permanent disability (or TPD) insurance involves the payment of one large lump sum should you become permanently disabled and unable to work, due to injury or illness. Premiums depend on factors such as age, health and the benefit amount required. Those in ‘riskier’ professions, such as builders and other trades, will typically pay higher premiums than office workers. 6. Worker’s Compensation If you’re a sole trader that employs others, Worker’s Compensation insurance is mandatory in all states (unless you qualify for an exemption). This type of insurance covers property damage and personal injury suffered by an employee. Sole trader insurance cost A number of factors influence the cost of an insurance policy. The price you pay is dependent on the risk you represent to the insurer – in other words, the likelihood that the insurer will have to pay for a claim that you make. The lower the risk you represent to the insurer, the lower your premium is likely to be. Following are some of the considerations that an insurer will take into account when calculating your premium. 1. Value The dollar-value of what is being insured is taken into account. Items or services with a higher value will generally cost more to repair or replace. 2. Industry Some industries are considered higher risk than others. For example, construction, mining and manufacturing businesses are considered higher risk than office-based businesses in terms of workers’ physical safety. 3. Level of experience Depending on the type of insurance, your insurer may take into account your level of experience in your profession, field or industry. The number of years you have been in business and your relative financial stability can also impact your premiums. 4. Stamp duties and levies Your premium also accounts for relevant local, state and territory government stamp duties and levies, as well as the GST. 6. Size and condition of premises In the case of something like public liability insurance, your premium will be influenced by the size and physical condition of your office building or business location. Larger premises that are open to the public represent a higher risk of third-party injury or property damage. The age and condition of the building – and building codes and standards – will be taken into account. As a rule of thumb, newer construction is considered a lower risk than older construction. 6. Level of cover Most insurance premiums offer a choice of basic, intermediate and comprehensive cover. The more comprehensive the cover, the higher the cost of the premium. 7. Claims history As with personal insurance, the insured’s claims history is likely to be taken into account when business insurance premiums are being calculated. Things to keep in mind when applying for sole trader insurance In the early days of running a business, applying for sole trader insurance can feel confusing and overwhelming. Here are three things to keep in mind when your weighing up what to apply for. 1. Do your research Consult your industry body, or others in the same line of work, and find out what insurances they consider critical. 2. Consider your budget Insurances don’t come cheap – especially when you’re applying for multiple policies. Take your financial circumstances into consideration and weigh up the ones that are critical versus the ones you may take out in subsequent years. This cannot be overstated! Before submitting your insurance application, read – and understand – the policy thoroughly. Policies vary dramatically from one insurer to another, and each one sets its own limits, premiums, excess and exclusions. Make sure you understand what is covered under a policy – and what is excluded – before you buy it.Release 7.2.1 is Live - Update your app!
2 MIN READ Hey Solmates! You asked, we listened. Solo’s 7.2.1 update is here with fresh enhancements we think you’ll love. Here’s what’s new: ✨ More ways to get paid with PayID Getting paid keeps your business moving, so we’ve added even more options. PayID now joins Tap to Pay, Online Payments, and BSB + Account details as quick and easy ways for your invoices to get paid. Enable PayID by heading to: More → Invoice settings → Payment settings → PayID 🧾 PDFs join expense capture This one’s been a big request! Images are handy, but PDFs are even better. You can now upload PDFs straight from your device by selecting Add PDF under Capture expense. Already created the expense? No problem. Just open the expense, select Add receipt → and drop your PDF in. Smooth record keeping = stress-free you. 📧 Choose whether to CC yourself on invoices Sick of your inbox blowing up with copies of every invoice? Now you’re in control. When sending an invoice, just use the “CC” toggle: Switch it on if you want a copy in your inbox. Switch it off if you’d rather skip the extra emails. More choice, less clutter. 🙌 📂 Create categories without leaving your invoice Ever halfway through an invoice and realise you need a new category? Now you can create it on the spot, without breaking your flow. Just click into the item → categories and tap the + at the top right. ⬆️ Sign-in got even easier We’ve boosted Solo’s biometrics (Face ID and fingerprint) so sign-in and onboarding are smoother, faster, and more secure. No more juggling passwords, just a quick tap or glance and you’re in. 🚀 Update your app today and give the new features a spin. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
Make Switching to Solo Simple and Seamless
It would be amazing to have a tool that lets me quickly transfer invoices, contacts, and expenses from my old accounting system or excel when I start using Solo. This would make onboarding so much smoother and really encourage businesses like mine to switch over.GST Inclusive vs. Exclusive: You’re in Control
Whether you like to show prices with GST baked in or broken out—Solo now gives you the power to choose. 🙌 Gone are the days of being stuck with tax-inclusive invoices by default. Now, you get to decide how GST is displayed on your invoices—and switch it up anytime you need. Just a heads-up: this setting only applies if you're GST registered, so if you’re not, you can go ahead and skip this one. ⚙️ How to Set Your GST Preference Want your prices to show with GST included? Or would you rather show them without, and let GST be calculated separately? Here’s how to make the switch: Set it up in just a few taps: 1️. Head to the ‘More’ tab (bottom-right) 2️. Tap ‘Invoice Settings’ 3️. Look for the option called ‘GST Display’ 4️. Choose either GST Inclusive or GST Exclusive 5️. Hit Save 6️. Head back to 'Create Invoice' and start invoicing with your new settings 🔁 Can I Change It Later? Absolutely!! You can switch between GST Inclusive and GST Exclusive anytime: Just go back to Invoice Settings Choose your new preference Save it—and it’ll apply to all invoices you create from that point forward Each invoice will reflect whatever GST setting you’ve chosen at the time of creation. So if you need to toggle between the two for different clients or jobs? No problem. 📚 Want to Dive Deeper? We’ve got a full breakdown of everything you can do in Invoice Settings, from payment terms to branding and more. 👉 Check out our invoice settings help articles here.Tax deductible expenses for the self employed
Being self-employed, you must first understand the nature of your expenses. What deductions can I claim as a sole trader? You can claim expenses that are directly related to earning your taxable income. Private and personal expenses, such as after-school care or home loan interest payments, cannot be claimed. The expenses you can claim — and when you claim them — depends on the type of asset purchased or service engaged. Operating expenses can usually be claimed in the year they occur, while capital expenses must be claimed over time. Business vs personal expenses Expenses that are usually not deductible Entertainment expenses Traffic fines Private or domestic expenses, such as childcare fees or clothes for your family Expenses relating to earning income that is not assessable, such as money you earn from a hobby The GST component of a purchase if you can claim it as a GST credit on your business activity statement Expenses that may be deductible Wages Office stationery Computer or laptop that is used for business Machinery and equipment Motor vehicle expenses Advertising Business travel Bills, like insurance and phone How can a sole trader pay less tax? Claim operating expenses when you incur them Operating expenses are also called revenue expenses because they help generate income, and they can be claimed in the financial year you incur them. Examples of claims that can be made in the year they are incurred include: Salaries, wages, overtime payments, allowances and bonuses Advertising and promotional expenses Electricity, phones, gas and stationery Business travel costs Asset maintenance and repair costs Parking fees (but not fines) Prepay some expenses this year to reduce taxes Pay in advance and bring the deduction forward to this year. If you have a healthy cashflow, you can prepay your: Business loans (prepay on fixed rates 12 months in advance) Office and equipment lease payments Business insurance Business related subscriptions Business travel, seminars and conference bookings Telephone and IT services Tip: Two birds with one stone — See if you can combine the benefit of bringing forward the tax deduction and getting a discount for paying your supplier in advance. For every small business looking for a tax deduction, there will most likely be a service provider or salesperson looking to boost their sales results before June 30. Consider capital expenses (asset purchases) It’s important to mention that a small business that purchases an asset costing less than $6500 can still claim 100 percent of the cost in the actual year the expense is incurred. Even if you have not paid for the item yet, you can still claim as long as you are invoiced before 30 June. Larger capital acquisitions that have an expected life longer than one year, such as IT servers, vehicles and expensive plant and equipment, must be claimed over a number of years. These items are claimed via accelerated depreciation of the capital value, with 15 percent claimed in the first year (even if purchased in the last month of the year) and 30 percent each year thereafter. Examples of capital expense assets that must be depreciated over time include: Motor vehicles Computers, servers, printers and copiers Office and warehouse fixtures and fittings Plant and equipment 4. Claim the instant asset write-off Sole traders are eligible to claim the instant asset writeoff, which allows small businesses to claim immediate deductions for new or second-hand plant and equipment asset purchases like cars, office equipment and tools. Before making any big purchases, check the instant asset write-off eligibility criteria and threshold, because these can change. Check your business’s eligibility and apply the correct threshold amount depending on when the asset was purchased, first used or installed ready for use. Check the ATO website for the latest information on thresholds. Bite the bullet and write off any bad debts A bad debt is a taxable sale you made that has been unpaid for 12 months or more, with no chance of it being recovered. You must keep written notes that the debt has been written off and why. Discuss this with your accountant, as there may be GST consequences. Use concessional contributions to superannuation Make sure to use your own superannuation allowance of up to $25,000 for those under 60, and $35,000 for those over 60. Remember that if your spouse works in the business even part-time then you can still contribute up to their limit, but make sure to allow for any employer contributions from other jobs. If you have employees, pay their employee superannuation guarantee contributions before 25 June to ensure it gets to their superannuation fund account on time, as it must hit their account for the payment to be tax deductible this year. Do a stocktake It might be time to call in the kids, parents and friends to help you identify damaged and/or obsolete stock items that can be written down in value or written off completely. This reduces the value of your trading stock and, as a result, lowers your taxable business profit. Be sensible Your focus should be on managing your tax and not looking at measures that will put your business under cash flow pressures in the coming years, just to achieve a short-term tax advantage. Buying unnecessary assets, upgrading cars or paying higher super contributions are pointless if it means your business will face cash flow issues. As you enter a new financial year, consider seeking advice from your accountant on whether you should be moving to a corporate structure going forward.Release 7.6 has landed! 🚀
2 MIN READ We are pretty excited about this one. You shared loads of feedback, and we’ve been busy turning your ideas into improvements that make SOLO even smoother and easier to use. Here’s what’s new: Item discounts on invoices 💸 One of our most requested features is now live, made possible thanks to the votes and feedback shared on our Community forum. Your voices really do shape SOLO! You can now add discounts at an item level on your invoices, giving you more control and flexibility when billing customers. To apply a discount, add your item as usual, tap the three dots, choose Add discount, and enter the discount percentage. Perfect for promotions, special deals, or giving a little extra to your best customers, all without touching the rest of the invoice. Simple, clear, and built with your feedback in mind. Message notifications 🔔 You’ll now see a red dot whenever there are unread messages from our support team. No more scrolling through conversations or wondering if you’ve missed something, the red dot appears only on support messages, making it easy to spot new replies or important information from us. It’s a small change that makes staying connected with the Solo team feel seamless and hassle-free, so you can focus on running your business instead of hunting for updates. Multi-page receipt capture 📄 You can now select multiple images when capturing or uploading expenses. Solo will automatically bundle all images into a single PDF, making it easier to capture multi-page receipts or expense documents in one go. This helps keep your expense records organized and complete, so nothing gets missed and everything is ready for tracking Refer a friend 👥 We’re making it easier to share the love, you can now refer friends directly from Solo. It’s a simple, seamless way to invite them to automate their admin, just like you have. They’ll enjoy benefits like: • Secure Tap to Pay payments • No-fuss invoicing • Snap and track expenses • Banking and accounting in your pocket Head to More → Refer a friend to get started Loving the solo app? If you’re liking what we’re doing and want the love and improvements to keep rolling, dropping a review on the Google Play or App Store means the world to us. It makes a big difference to the humans (especially the developers) building SOLO behind the scenes. 🙌✨ As always, we’re here if you need a hand. Otherwise, enjoy the upgrade. Thanks Solo TeamGST-Exclusive Invoicing Option in Solo
We’ve been hearing some great ideas lately here's a new one from someone who reached out via chat. Picture this: You want to bill your client $1000. Boom! You punch that in, hit the GST-exclusive toggle, and like magic, Solo adds the 10% GST for you. Your invoice now shows $1000 + $100 GST = $1100 total. No more mental gymnastics or calculator acrobatics! • One click to flip between GST-inclusive and exclusive • Crystal-clear labels (because who needs more tax-induced headaches?) • Math that actually adds up (we know, revolutionary stuff) Is this the invoicing nirvana you've been dreaming of? Give us a shout in the comments or slam that thumbs-up button. The more noise you make, the quicker we can turn Solo into your personal GST-wrangling sidekick.
More payment methods - PAYID
As a small business most of my customers prefer paying through payID due to the convenience. As a business I prefer it too as I get the payment instantly in most cases. It'll be great if we can add Pay ID as a payment option so the customer gets to choose which way they'd like to pay
Is it really Solo without a mileage tracker?
Hi community 👋 What are your thoughts on the solo app containing a mileage tracker and what about it particularly would you find helpful? Personally I would just love to be able to plug my Odometer reading in at the start and end of any eligible business journey. Helps me to keep track of business vs personal percentage. Doing it all from the ONE/ SOLO app is always going to make it easier! I know the feature to actually automatically track using GPS is helpful to a lot of people too. Which has a reconcile function (separate business/personal). I’ve seen other apps with the cents/km method automatically convert it to the potential tax deduction. what else would be helpful? Must it be a huge extended addition? Or could it intergrate nicely into categories and expenses? thanksSusan_Solo for the suggestion! Looking forward to hearing thoughts on this :) @sandroMYOBEEES
