The essential 30 June guide The end of the financial year is fast approaching. We outline the areas at risk of increased ATO scrutiny and the opportunities to maximise your deductions. For you Opportunities Take advantage of the 1 July 2024 tax cuts by bringing forward your deductible expenses into 2023-24. Prepay your deductible expenses [...]
ATO fires warning shot on trust distributions The ATO has warned that it is looking closely at how trusts distribute income and to who. The way in which trusts distribute income has come under intense scrutiny in recent years. Trust distribution arrangements need to be carefully considered by trustees before taking steps to appoint or [...]
5 million+ struggle with mortgage payments New nationwide research released by ASIC’s Moneysmart reveals that 47% of Australian adults with debt, the equivalent of 5.8 million people, have struggled to make repayments in the last 12 months. Alarmingly, the research revealed that more than half surveyed, said they are not aware that they are entitled [...]
What’s changing on 1 July 2024? Here’s a summary of the key changes coming into effect on 1 July 2024: Tax cuts reduce personal income tax rates and change the thresholds. Superannuation guarantee increases from 11% to 11.5% - check the impact on any salary package arrangements. Superannuation caps increase from $27,500 to $30,000 for [...]
Company money crackdown The ATO is cracking down on business owners who take money or use company resources for themselves. It’s common for business owners to utilise company resources for their personal use. The business is often such a part of their life that the line distinguishing ‘the business’ from their life can be blurred. [...]
Should you be the ‘bank of Mum & Dad’? The great wealth transfer from the baby boomer generation has begun and home ownership is the catalyst. The average price of a home in NSW is $1,184,500, the highest in the country. Canberra is next at $948,500, followed by Victoria at $895,000, with the Northern Territory [...]
Do your kids really want to take over your business? Generational succession - handing your business across to your kids or family - sounds simple enough but, many families end up in a dispute right at the point when the parents, business, and children are most vulnerable. It’s important that generational succession is managed as [...]
Accessing money in your SMSF The ATO has made a call to professional accountants to help identify and manage illegal early access to superannuation by members of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). In general, access to your super is only possible if: You retire and turn 60; or You turn 65 (regardless of whether you’re working). Early [...]
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 [...]
