Tax: How to minimise your largest lifetime expense

Tax isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you’re paying tax, it means that you are making money (income or capital gains). But of course, there’s no need to pay any more than you legally have to. I discuss our common-sense approach to saving tax below. Minimising risk is often more important than saving tax It …

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What is a holistic accountant?

The word ‘holistic’ is defined by Oxford Languages as “characterised by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.” This definition implies what a holistic accountant is positioned to offer you the most value. But not all accountants are able to adopt a holistic approach. …

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Tax planning ideas for 2020

With the financial year coming to a close, I thought it was timely to share some of the common strategies we consider when helping clients minimise their taxation liabilities. Of course, none of the information below should be considered personal taxation advice. I don’t know your circumstances and everyone’s situation is different. Therefore, please don’t …

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‘Working from home’ tax deductions

Please note: The ATO announced enhanced deductions on 7 April 2020 which are listed on its website here. With most people being required by their employer to work from home, I thought it would be timely to update you on what deductions you can claim in respect to a home office, and what evidence you …

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Change to capital gains tax is 5 times more costly than negative gearing ban

The ALP’s proposed ban on negative gearing has been well publicised and debated. However, its proposed changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) have received far less attention. I suspect that this is because investors tend to overestimate short-term consequences and underestimate more significant long-term outcomes. But, since most of us are long-term investors, I’d suggest …

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