Super Reform: What SMSFs Absolutely Need To Consider Before 30 June The wide-ranging superannuation reforms come into effect on 1 July 2017. With the changes come a series of issues that Trustees need to be across, even if they don’t immediately affect you or your fund: Understand the value of assets at 30 June At [...]
The 2017-18 Federal Budget attempts to please as many people as possible. It tackles the issues currently in focus across the Australian community – gaps in healthcare, first home ownership, foreign workers, investment and bank accountability to name a few of the pressure points. It also delivers an economic ‘sugar hit’ in the form of $75 [...]
When can I claim self-education expenses? Normally, if you undertake study that is connected to your work you can claim the costs of that study as a tax deduction - assuming your employer has not already picked up your expenses. There is also no limit to the value of the deduction you can claim. While [...]
Fast Growing And Start Up Businesses – What Are You Missing Out On? It’s always difficult for Governments and regulators to keep pace with changing business models, funding approaches, and technology. But, recent reforms and a series of new initiatives seek to free up entrepreneurs from excessive regulation, inflexible tax regimes, and unintended outcomes. Unfortunately, [...]
State tax warning for Family Trusts Recent changes to State laws may trigger a surprise tax bill for family trusts (discretionary trusts). The problem for family trusts stems from recent legislative changes in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC) and Queensland (QLD) that impose a surcharge on foreigners purchasing residential land. While that might not [...]
Penalty rates and the impact of change The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has moved to cut Sunday and public holiday penalty rates. The changes to penalty rates are not yet in force – see When will the changes take effect? Flagged back in 2014, the review into penalty rates was part of the FWC’s four [...]
What employers need to know about FBT 2017 We know that no one likes to pay tax and certainly no more tax than they should. But very few people want to be on the wrong side of an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) audit where fees and penalties are paid for neglecting your obligations. The Fringe [...]
Managing the Debt Drain – the critical issues for small business February and March are traditionally the worst cashflow months for small business – the Christmas rush is over, the Business Activity Statement is due, and payments slow down with a dip in consumer spending. You might be ok but your customers could be under [...]
Pride & Prejudice: Top Four Predictions for 2017 The global economy is picking up and Australia is about to secure the global record for the longest period a country has gone without a recession. But with the focus on the political environment, there is an uneasiness in the market and with uneasiness comes a reticence [...]
The biggest changes to super in a decade – how to capitalise now! Major changes to tax and superannuation have just been approved by the Government in early December 2016. These are the biggest changes in the last 10 years. They are significant. Most of these changes will take place on 1 July 2017. That’s [...]
