Good CGT records can save you money Congratulations! Your investment has done well, and you’re cashing in. You’re happy, and so too is the ATO. That substantial capital gain has brought wealth and a hefty tax bill. Sharing might be part of the deal but when it comes to your hard-earned profits, you might prefer
Employees vs. Contractors: What sets them apart The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has recently revised its guidance on differentiating between employees and independent contractors. This change follows several court rulings that clarified the criteria for determining whether a worker is genuinely an employee or an independent contractor. Whether you’re a worker or a business owner,
Selling property? Buyers must withhold and pay the ATO! If you’re selling property in Australia and you’re a foreign resident, there are important tax rules you need to know. Recent changes mean that buyers must withhold 15% of the property’s market value and pay it to the ATO, unless the seller provides a residency clearance
We may need to talk about your family trust You may have read about a recent court decision affecting some family trusts. In a case called Bendel, published on 19 February 2025, the Full Federal Court unanimously held that the private company beneficiary of a discretionary trust has not made a “loan” or “financial accommodation”
Is an asset you own used in another person’s business? Did you know that if you own an asset (eg, land or a factory or even a trademark) that someone else uses in carrying on a small business then you might be entitled to the CGT small business concessions when you sell the asset? And
Beware of Bitcoin gains! If you own Bitcoin, or any other crypto currency, you may have been the beneficiary of Donald Trump’s election as President last November – which saw Bitcoin prices jump by almost 50% almost immediately after the election (and certainly in the following weeks). And if you decided to take advantage
Salary Sacrifice vs Personal Deductible Contributions: And the winner is… Super is a great way to save for retirement. It offers an opportunity to invest in long-term growth assets and enjoy generous tax concessions along the way. For those wanting to make extra contributions and reduce their personal tax bill, there are two options: ■
Seven changes impacting your super in 2025 Superannuation rules are always changing, and 2025 is set to bring some updates that could affect your retirement savings. Whether you’re just starting to build your super or already planning for retirement, keeping up with these changes can help you make informed decisions. Here’s what’s on the horizon.
Coalition election announcements The unofficial federal election campaign is now well under way, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announcing a couple of tax policies while out on the hustings in Queensland on 19 January. We’re drawing these developments to your attention in order to keep you informed about what the tax landscape might look like
Super and hardship: A safety net in financial difficulty Superannuation is often seen as untouchable savings for retirement, but did you know it can also be a lifeline during financial difficulty? While super is designed for retirement, there are rules to allow it to provide financial support in several situations. Let’s explore these rules
ATO confirms tax deductibility of financial advice fees The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has released new guidance (TD 2024/7) on when financial advice fees can be claimed as a tax deduction. Overall, the ATO has not changed its view but it has given more clarity around the deductibility of upfront and ongoing fees. Key points
Yet more rental data matching by the ATO Feeding its seemingly insatiable appetite for rental data, the ATO has recently announced it will soon be collecting rental bond details for some 2.2 million individuals. The data, which will be collected twice a year from State and Territory bond regulators, is very comprehensive, and will include