Building the right team when buying an investment property

2 April

Purchasing an investment property is a major financial decision. For many Australians, it involves committing significant capital, taking on long-term debt, and relying on the property to help build wealth over time. Investment properties can...[Read More]

Sticky situation as super changes stretch small firms

25 March

Rising costs and cash flow pressures could force thousands of small business owners to dip into personal savings to comply with new superannuation rules. Changes slated for July 1 require employers to pay employees superannuation at the same time as...[Read More]

Treasurer softens up voters for ‘hard decisions’ on tax

25 March

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is willing to anger older Australians to make the tax system fairer for younger generations. But he admitted productivity growth would take longer to recover than previously thought during a major pre-budget address to a...[Read More]

Leaders urged to stomach junk food tax to save lives

25 March

More than 200,000 lives and billions of dollars in health costs could be saved if political leaders developed an appetite to tax unhealthy foods, according to fresh research. The federal government is being called upon to consider a 20 per cent tax...[Read More]

How much each state will get from the GST carve-up

18 March

CHANGES IN STATE AND TERRITORY GST PAYMENTS NSW * GST payment increased from $28.1 billion to $28.2 billion * Relative share of GST compared to per capita allocation fell from 86c in the dollar to 82c * Share of GST fell from 26.7 per cent to 25.5...[Read More]

Super tax changes a ‘down payment’ for greater reform

11 March

Wealthy superannuants will pay more tax on balances over $3 million after the Greens rolled over on demands to beef up the contentious new laws. The government is expected to get the long-promised tax changes passed through parliament by the end of...[Read More]

CBA boss calls for spending cuts, bold reform in budget

4 March

The bosses of Australia’s largest companies have urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers to take a bold agenda to the May budget to salvage the country’s faltering international competitiveness. Speaking at the Australian Financial Review Business Summit,...[Read More]

Minister won’t rule out tax change as Greens up demands

4 March

Young people see the housing market as being stacked against them, Australia’s housing minister says, as the Greens call for drastic changes to property tax concessions. Clare O’Neil continues to play a straight bat to suggestions the government...[Read More]

Pressure to fix gas tax raising less revenue than beer

4 March

Labor faces a push for a parliament inquiry into Australia’s underperforming gas tax amid growing calls to make fossil fuel multinationals pay a larger share. As Treasurer Jim Chalmers mulls tax reform to make the economy more productive and...[Read More]

Vested interest ‘cartel’ killing Aussie housing dream

25 February

A “cartel” of vested interests is stymying crucial tax reforms which could help free up more homes, a former boss of the Reserve Bank says. Bernie Fraser, the only person in Australian history to have served as both RBA governor and Treasury...[Read More]

Why tax planning works best when it’s not left until June

19 February

Tax tends to become a priority when deadlines are close — but the best tax outcomes are usually supported by decisions made throughout the year.  For individuals and business owners alike, proactive tax planning can reduce last-minute stress,...[Read More]

Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) checklist – key considerations and requirements

5 February

A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) offers individuals more control over their retirement savings, but it comes with significant responsibilities.  This checklist outlines key considerations and requirements to help ensure compliance and effective...[Read More]

How treasurer could make capital gains taxes ‘fairer’

21 January

Treasurer Jim Chalmers faces a renewed push to reform capital gains taxes, with pressure mounting from economic think tanks, anti-poverty advocates and even the NSW government to make the system fairer for all Australians. Critics argue a Howard-era...[Read More]

Happy new ‘calendar’ year: A smarter start from a tax and accounting perspective

8 January

The start of a new calendar year is more than just a fresh page in the diary — it’s an opportunity to reset, refocus and set yourself up for a smoother financial year ahead. From a tax and accounting point of view, January is the perfect time to...[Read More]

Self-interest widening wealth gap between old and young

31 December

Is the wealth gap between old and young Australians becoming a gulf? Former federal Treasury secretary Ken Henry has declared young workers are being “robbed” by the tax system, while ex-Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas calls the intergenerational...[Read More]