A win for those carrying student debt In support of young Australians and in response to the rising cost of living, the Australian Government has passed legislation to reduce student loan debt by 20% and change the way that loan repayments are determined. This should help students significantly more than the advice from outside of [...]
RBA Holds Rates at 3.85%: what this means for your business strategy In a move that surprised many commentators, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held the cash rate steady at 3.85% in July. A show of caution over action, amid mixed economic signals. Despite headline inflation easing within the RBA’s target band, concerns over [...]
Interest deductions: Risks and opportunities This tax season, we’ve seen a surge in questions about whether interest on a loan can be claimed as a tax deduction. It’s a great question as the way interest expenses are treated can significantly affect your overall tax position. However, the rules aren’t always straightforward. Here’s what you need [...]
Will credit card surcharges be banned? If credit card surcharges are banned in other countries, why not Australia? We look at the surcharge debate and the payment system complexity that has brought us to this point. In the United Kingdom, consumer credit and debit card surcharges have been banned since 2018. In Europe, all except [...]
What makes or breaks Christmas? The cost of living has eased over the past year but consumers are still under pressure. For business, planning is the key to managing Christmas volatility. The countdown to Christmas is on and we’re in the midst of a headlong rush to maximise any remaining opportunities before the Christmas lull. [...]
The ATO Debt Dilemma Late last year, thousands of taxpayers and their agents were advised by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that they had an outstanding historical tax debt. The only problem was, many had no idea that the tax debt existed. The ATO can only release a taxpayer from a tax debt in limited [...]
Effective budgeting for the new year As we approach the dawn of a new year, it's an opportune moment for individuals and businesses alike to set their sights on financial goals and establish a robust budget. Budgeting isn't merely about tracking expenses; it's a proactive strategy that empowers you to control your finances and achieve [...]
Australian super funds gorge on cryptocurrency The value of cryptocurrency assets inside Australian self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) increased by 589.9% ($1.17bn) between June 2019 and June 2022, according to the latest ATO statistics. While cryptocurrency is a relatively small asset class at only 0.16% of the $837bn held in SMSFs, it is a growing [...]
Year of the Tiger: Roaring or Bellowing? The 2022 Luna New Year, Year of the Tiger, is courage and bravery. It is a year to drive out evil and one of momentum and change. The message; walk boldly with courage. And it seems the Reserve Bank Governor is aligned with this sentiment. The Tiger economy [...]
Tax and the normalisation of cryptocurrency The Australian Taxation Office recently updated its guidance on tax and cryptocurrency. In early November, the Commonwealth Bank announced that it is now Australia’s first bank to offer customers the ability to buy, sell and hold crypto assets, directly through the CommBank app. You know when the banks come [...]