David Adams

1 week ago | smartcompany.com.au | Tegan Jones |David Adams

Chinese e-marketplace Temu and fast-fashion retailer Shein will raise prices next week as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and crackdown on low-value imports push up costs for the companies known for their budget offerings.

1 week ago | smartcompany.com.au | David Adams |Mrinaal Datt |Morganne Kopittke

Paul Adam wants to make one thing clear: “It’s just a cake”. But try telling that to new fans of Du Plessy Pralin & Otello, who have turned the suburban Sydney patisserie into a viral phenomenon. Months after a Chinese video blogger visited the West Pymble store and shared his story online, its chocolate mousse cake is one of the most desired desserts on Earth. The shop now opens with lines out the door. Sales have increased tenfold.

1 week ago | smartcompany.com.au | Tegan Jones |David Adams

AI-first startups topped Australia’s deal count in Q1 of 2025. This marks the first time the sector has led on that metric, according to new data from Cut Through Venture. Of the 100 announced venture and accelerator deals tracked for the quarter, 62% referenced AI-related product benefits. If that wasn’t high enough, the report also suggests the figure may understate the true scale of activity.

1 week ago | smartcompany.com.au | David Adams

Taxpayers could claim an “instant” $1,000 tax deduction for working from home expenses under a re-elected Labor government, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In a significant pre-election sweetener, the Prime Minister on Sunday pledged to reform income tax deductions for minor WFH expenses from 2026-27. “Taxpayers won’t need to collect receipts” for expenses under the $1,000 threshold, said Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers in a joint statement.

1 week ago | smartcompany.com.au | David Adams

Inconsistent support. Confusing extensions. A lack of authority to make decisions. These are a few of the complaints levelled by accountants against the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) official tax agent phone line, just weeks before the hectic end of financial year rush. New Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) Ruth Owen is reviewing the effectiveness of the registered agent phone line, an exclusive communication link between tax professionals and the ATO itself.