Specialist Tax & Accounting for Plastic Surgeons and Surgical Practices.
Expert financial management for Australian plastic surgeons. From navigating GST on cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to managing practice structures, payroll tax and high-value medical equipment, we help protect your practice’s profitability and support its long-term growth.
How we can help you
GST on Cosmetic vs Reconstructive Surgery
The Challenge: Plastic surgery practices may provide a combination of cosmetic and medically necessary procedures, and the GST treatment can differ. Incorrectly classifying surgical fees, consultations and related services can lead to errors in your Business Activity Statements and unexpected GST liabilities.
The Santoro Grieco Solution: We help plastic surgeons establish clear accounting processes that separate taxable cosmetic procedures from eligible GST-free medical services. We configure your Xero chart of accounts and reporting so GST is recorded accurately and your quarterly Business Activity Statements are easier to manage.
Surgical Equipment & Technology Investment
The Challenge: Plastic surgery practices invest heavily in surgical equipment, medical technology, treatment devices and practice fit-outs. Without careful planning, equipment purchases can place unnecessary pressure on cash flow and available tax deductions may be overlooked.
The Santoro Grieco Solution: We help you assess the financial and tax implications of purchasing, financing or leasing new equipment. Our advice considers depreciation, cash flow and the timing of major investments so each purchase supports the long-term performance of your surgical practice.
Practice Structures, Service Fees & Payroll Tax
The Challenge: Plastic surgeons often operate through complex structures involving practice entities, service entities, hospitals and independent medical practitioners. Poorly documented service arrangements or incorrectly structured practitioner payments can increase payroll tax, compliance and commercial risk.
The Santoro Grieco Solution: We review your practice structure, practitioner agreements and service-fee arrangements in collaboration with your legal advisers. Our focus is on creating commercially sound, clearly documented arrangements that improve financial visibility and reduce avoidable tax and compliance exposure.
Tax Deductions for Plastic Surgeons
Specialist Tax Deductions for Plastic Surgeons
AHPRA Registration & Professional Memberships: Deductions may be available for AHPRA registration, relevant surgical association memberships, specialist college fees and professional subscriptions.
Surgical Equipment & Medical Technology: Claim eligible deductions or depreciation for surgical instruments, computers, clinical photography equipment, medical devices and other equipment used in your plastic surgery practice.
Clinical Supplies & Protective Equipment: Deduct eligible practice consumables and protective items, including gloves, masks, gowns, dressings and other supplies used in treating patients.
Scrubs & Protective Clothing: Claims may be available for occupation-specific clothing, protective clothing and associated laundry expenses. Conventional business clothing is generally excluded.
Continuing Professional Development: Eligible expenses may include registration fees, travel and accommodation for plastic surgery conferences, surgical workshops, training courses and other relevant professional education.
Professional Indemnity Insurance: Premiums for professional indemnity insurance and other eligible insurance expenses associated with practising as a plastic surgeon may be deductible.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.
-
Plastic surgeons may be able to claim eligible expenses directly connected with earning their income, including AHPRA registration, professional memberships, indemnity insurance, continuing professional development, surgical equipment, protective clothing and practice-related technology. The expense must not have been reimbursed, must directly relate to earning income and must be supported by appropriate records.
-
Cosmetic surgery may be subject to GST where no Medicare benefit is payable and the procedure is performed predominantly to improve a patient’s appearance. Reconstructive or medically necessary procedures may receive different GST treatment, so plastic surgery practices should correctly classify each service and maintain appropriate supporting records.
-
The appropriate business structure depends on how the plastic surgeon earns income, operates the surgical practice, engages other practitioners and manages commercial risk. Possible structures may involve an individual practitioner, company, trust or service entity. Specialist accounting and legal advice should be obtained before establishing or changing a plastic surgery practice structure.
-
A plastic surgery practice may be able to claim depreciation or other available deductions for eligible surgical instruments, medical devices, clinical photography equipment, computers and practice technology. The treatment depends on factors including ownership, business use, purchase price and the applicable depreciation provisions.
-
A specialist medical accountant can help plastic surgeons manage GST on cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, tax planning, practice structures, equipment purchases, payroll obligations and practitioner service arrangements. Industry-specific advice can also improve financial reporting and help the surgical practice make more informed business decisions.