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Your company isn’t a bank account: loan to a business right

You're finally your own boss, and in its early days, the business needs upstart funds. Such as a loan to a business, to sustain it until it finds its own feet. But you can't move funding sources in and out like in a bank account, and the ATO…
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What does it take to pass your business to the next generation?

What is the end game for your business? Succession is not just a topic for a TV series or billionaire families, it’s about successfully transitioning your business and maximising its capital value for you, the owners. When it comes to…
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Rental Property Reporting Blitz

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has launched a full-on assault on rental property owners who incorrectly report income and expenses. The ATO’s assessment, based on previous data matching programs, is that there is a tax gap of…
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$3 million+ Super balance nest eggs will get their tax doubled

The Government has announced that from 2025‑26, the 15% concessional tax rate applied to future earnings for superannuation balances above $3 million will increase to 30%. In a very quick turnaround from announcement to draft legislation,…
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Risky trust distribution loopholes plugged

The ATO has released its final position on how it will apply some integrity rules dealing with trust distributions - changing the goal posts for trusts distributing to adult children, corporate beneficiaries, and entities with losses. As…
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Making business moves with financial goals

Businesses tend to progress more consistently if the owner sets financial goals and makes a plan to achieve them. The new year is a natural time to decide what you want to achieve and how. With that in mind, read on to learn the steps for…
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Another 1% interest around the bend?

Low interest rates have been a mainstay since the global financial crisis of 2008. When the pandemic hit, Governments pushed stimulus measures through the economy and central banks reduced interest rates even further. Coming out of COVID,…
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Queensland backs down on Australia wide land tax

The Queensland Government has backed away from an amendment that would have seen the land tax rate for investment property in Queensland assessed on the value of the investor’s Australia wide land holdings from 1 July 2023, not just the…
Australian super funds gorge on cryptocurrency

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…
Financial autonomy Shaun Farrugia

Shaun talks about family trusts

Shaun Farrugia was invited back onto the podcast 'Financial Autonomy' recently, and the episode is now available to listen to. Shaun and Paul Benson talked about family trusts for 40 minutes, and it's worth a listen! They talked about…
claim crypto losses
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Can I claim my crypto losses?

The ATO has released updated information on claiming cryptocurrency losses and gains in your tax return. The first point to understand is that gains and losses from crypto are only reported in your tax return when you dispose of it -…
Shaun Farrugia

Investment Property Advice

Shaun recently was a guest speaker in an investment property live event with Wheatley Finance, called 'Good Debt, Bad Debt'. The full recording (a whopping 2 hours of content) hasn't been released yet, but we will link to it when it becomes…
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Selling an investment property?

When you sell an investment property, you may make either a capital gain or a capital loss. A capital gain or loss is the difference between what it cost you to obtain and improve the property (the cost base) and the amount you receive when…
Tips on buying first rental property

Tips for buying your first investment property

There are many people who believe that when it comes to investing, nothing beats real estate. This may be true, but you still have to be smart when making your real estate investment decisions. Although investment properties can be a…

Divorce, Super & the Gender Divide

New legislation will help prevent superannuation assets from being hidden during divorce proceedings. From 1 April 2022, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will be able to release details of an individual’s superannuation information…
cryptocurrency taxed
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Tax implications of cryptocurrency

With cryptocurrencies gaining notoriety, many people are unclear on how or when they can be taxed. Despite widespread belief to the contrary, you can be taxed on gains made as a result of obtaining or using cryptocurrency. If you’ve made a…

2020 year in review

Just as we were recovering from the long drought and the worst bushfires on record, the global coronavirus pandemic took hold and changed everything. Suddenly, simple things we took for granted, like going to the office or celebrating…
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The ins and outs of SMSF property investing

With a property market recovery underway, most notably in Sydney and Melbourne, Australian investors are once again pursuing their love affair with property investing. For many investors, a popular way to invest directly in residential…
ATO is cracking down on bitcoin
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How the ATO is cracking down on bitcoin

After years of puzzling over how to deal with cryptocurrencies, the world’s governments – and their tax authorities – are finally getting serious about regulation. In an effort to crack down on tax evasion and other criminal activities,…

The challenges of investing for children – an article by Paul Benson

With the cost of housing continuing to climb, in addition to the rising cost of tertiary education, many parents and grandparents are worried about what the future holds for the young people in their lives.

Offset vs Redraw

Shaun Farrugia recently created this video to explain a question that was on a few of our clients lips. Watch below to hear the difference between an offset and a redraw account on your home loan. This is a question we do get very often,…

What is debt recycling?

We all know that recycling is great for the environment. But debt recycling? Well, if done right, that could be great for your own little patch of planet earth. There are three things that many Aussie property owners wish they could do:…

How to perform a credit health check

Significant changes have been made to Australia’s credit reporting rules after a new Comprehensive Credit Reporting regime (CCR) came into effect in the new financial year. This means now is as good a time as ever to perform a credit check. The…
Credit card traps

5 Common Credit Card Traps

Credit card providers love to use all kinds of incentives to get you to put that shiny piece of plastic into your wallet, ripe for usage at your weaker moments. Here’s how to avoid getting snared in credit card debt. Most humans love…

Are you flushing money down the drain by putting off refinancing?

Every year thousands of Aussie families flush their hard earned dollars down the gurgler because they put off the simple act of refinancing their mortgage. If you’re overdue, rest assured that it’s much easier than you may think! While…
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The importance of a will and a power of attorney

It’s a morbid thought that many of us tend to shy away from, but end-of-life financial planning is a crucial stage in any successful financial management plan. One day down the track you’ll no longer be around to use or take care…
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What to do if you and your partner aren’t on the same page with your finances

Things start out so rosy. You both like the same movies, sports teams and pistachio-flavoured gelato. Then one day you realise you manage your finances in completely different ways. Well, here’s how to get on the same page. Relationships,…

Putting the property price dip into perspective

Sure, the value of the average Australian home may have fallen for nine consecutive months, but it’s far from doom and gloom. Let’s put it all in a bit of perspective. It’s easy to see a headline such as “Australian dwelling…

Don’t blow the budget on your next property purchase

You know how it goes. You see that dream property you’ve just got to have, and then next minute, the budget is in smithereens. Well, at least that’s what happens to almost a quarter of home buyers. Here’s how to keep a lid on your…

How to save for a first home deposit

So you’ve decided to finally take the plunge and start saving for a deposit to buy your first home? Here’s a few handy tips to get you started. Saved for a holiday before? Or a car? What about TV or computer? The good news is that…

The truth about 0% car finance offers

Seen an offer along the lines of: ‘Drive away, 0% finance to pay’? Well, like most things in life, when it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Finance offers like 0% (or other low interest rates) for new cars exist for a reason:…

Using your super fund to save for your first home

For most first home buyers, the property market can seem like a tough nut to crack. But today we’ll look at a new super scheme that makes it a whole lot easier to save for a deposit. Heard of the First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme? No?…

You’re married! Now what about your finances?

The hangover has worn off, the (frightening) wedding bills have been paid, and you finally have time to relax and look forward to a long life of marital bliss ahead. Or do you? You and your partner probably had a number of money-related…

What you need to know before buying your second property

Whether it’s as an investment asset or a holiday home, buying your second property poses a unique set of challenges. Here’s what you should consider.  Australians love property, and it’s not difficult to see why. Property is seen…

How triathlons are like Financial Planning – guest post by Paul Benson

Over the years I’ve found that the best way for me to stay fit and engage in some regular exercise is to set myself a goal.  Last year I set myself a goal of completing a triathlon.  I’ve done quite a bit of running over recent years,…

Going guarantor on a family member’s loan?

Saying no to family is always difficult. But if a family member or friend asks you to become a loan guarantor, it always pays to think carefully before signing on the dotted line. Being a co-borrower or guarantor on a loan certainly has…
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The sharemarket – a beginners guide by Paul Benson

If you catch a snippet of the radio in the morning on your way to work, you’re likely to hear what happened to the Dow Jones overnight.   If you read your news on-line or watch the news on TV it’s likely you’ll hear about the All Ords…
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Seven reasons why you shouldn’t hit the panic button

Sure, the first half of this week has seen the Australian share market described as a “bloodbath”. But now’s not a good time to panic. Here’s why. The US Dow Jones might have suffered its biggest dive in history, and the Australian…

Lending restrictions could soon ease

Financing options for homebuyers could open up once more with the federal government suggesting that lending restrictions could be eased if property prices fall sharper than expected. Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison says the government…
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Improve your finances one month at a time with this 2018 to-do list

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a long list of tasks, so we’ve simplified things for you. Just tackle one job on this list each month and you’ll make a huge difference to your finances in 2018. January: Create a monthly family budget…

Bitcoin: Boom or bubble?

Ask 10 different financial experts about the future of Bitcoin, and you’ll get 10 different answers. Here’s the good, the bad and the outright ugly. The price of a single Bitcoin has skyrocketed more than 1700% since the beginning…

Why it might be time to consider a principal-and-interest home loan

Australians have gravitated towards the benefits of interest-only home loans in high numbers in years gone by. But a raft of changes mean it might be a good time to start looking into the principal-and-interest option instead. In Australia, four…

Regulator to crack down on home loan lending standards

It could soon become harder for Aussie families to secure a loan directly from lenders, with the prudential regulator warning people to prepare for a crackdown on lending standards. APRA’s main concern is that banks and other lenders…
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Blockchain, Bitcoin & other Cryptocurrencies: What you need to know

Blockchain. Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies. You’ve probably heard these words popping up more and more often around your office water-cooler, but what do they mean? Let us explain. Blockchain, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are some…