Finfluencers: Bad tax advice could cost you thousands They’re advising from your insta and TikTok feeds, they’ve got huge followings, they speak with conviction - financial influencers or ‘finfluencers’. Please heed our caution, taking advice from unqualified sources can have serious consequences. We’re seeing examples of misleading claims, exaggerated deductions and outright misinformation. Relying on [...]
Important tax update: deductions for ATO interest charges scrapped If you're carrying an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) debt there is a good chance that it will cost you even more from 1 July 2025 onwards. This is because from 1 July 2025 two types of interest charges imposed by the ATO are no longer deductible. [...]
Div 296 super tax and practical things to consider Division 296 super tax is a controversial Federal Government proposal to impose an extra 15% tax on some superannuation earnings for individuals if their total superannuation balance (TSB) is over $3 million as at 30 June of the relevant income year. This measure is not yet [...]
Economic crossroads: US shrinks, China stimulates, Australia holds steady The US economy experienced a notable slowdown in the first quarter of 2025. The latest GDP data showed the economy contracted at an annual rate of -0.3%. Businesses stockpiling goods (which increased import volumes) ahead of the implementation of President Trump's shemozzle of a tariff policy [...]
ATO's new requirements for NFPs If you are involved with running a not for profit (NFP) organisation it is important to be aware of key obligations and requirements. In particular, if the NFP qualifies as a tax exempt entity there are some specific conditions that need to be satisfied and a relatively new ATO reporting [...]
From air fryers to swimwear: Tax deductions to avoid With the 2025 tax season fast approaching the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is reminding taxpayers to be careful when claiming work related expenses. This is in reaction to a spate of claims that didn’t quite pass the ‘pub test’. To give you a few examples of [...]
Labor’s victory: Unpacking the promises and priorities As the Labor party settle back into their seats having secured a majority in the House of Representatives, we look at the campaign promises and the unfinished business from the last term. Individuals Personal income tax cuts: the 2025-26 federal budget introduced a modest income tax cut for [...]
Warning on SMSF asset valuations The ATO has issued a warning to trustees of SMSFs about sloppy valuation practices. ATO data analysis has revealed that over 16,500 self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) have reported assets as having the same value for three consecutive years. With many of these assets residential or commercial Australian property, you [...]
Budget 2024-25 The 2024-25 Federal Budget is the third for the Albanese Government and consistent with previous years, the primary themes are expected to be the cost of living and the economic shift to net zero. According to election guru Antony Green, the window for the next election starts on Saturday, 3 August 2024, “the [...]
The assault on professional services The ATO has signalled that it is willing to pursue professional services firms who divert profits to avoid tax. Two new cases before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal demonstrate how serious the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is about making sure professional services firms - lawyers, accountants, architects, medical practices, engineers, architects [...]