NSW Home Affordability Measures The NSW Government has announced a number of measures designed to improve housing affordability across NSW from 1 July 2017. Some of changes in the housing affordability package will affect foreign residents purchasing residential property in NSW. Stamp Duty Surcharge Increases: Foreign residents already pay a 4% surcharge on stamp duty. This will double to 8%.... Read more
One taxation strategy is to prepay the interest on a loan for the next 12 months and claim a tax deduction in the current financial year. Prepaying interest is a way of bringing forward a tax saving that would have been claimed the next financial year. The maximum prepayment period allowed is 12 months The... Read more
With the EOFY just days away it’s time to get your tax affairs in order. Here are our top 10 tax planning tips to get you started. 1. Small Business Assets Now might be a great time to purchase a new computer or work car. The 2017 Federal budget gave small businesses (with a turnover less than $10 million) a 12-month... Read more
Changes to the superannuation rules will come into effect on 1 July 2017. Hopefully you have already received comprehensive financial advice to ensure you are ready for the many changes from July 1, including the significant $1.6 million cap on tax-free superannuation. Here’s some final steps you can take, where appropriate to your individual circumstances, before 30 June to... Read more
From the 2016–17 income year, the small business company tax rate has been reduced to 27.5%. This lower rate now applies to small businesses with a turnover less than $10 million. The company tax rate will remain at 30% for all other companies. The maximum franking credit that can be allocated to a frankable distribution paid by a small business... Read more
Each year it is fascinating to observe how the Budget is received. Most commentators subjectively assess the Treasurer’s efforts by how they, or their interest group, is expected to be impacted. But is it possible to assess a budget more objectively? According to the stock market and rating agencies the Treasurer has done a reasonably good job. The ASX is... Read more
We are regularly surprised at the number of adults we meet who do not yet have a Will. If you have family, or any amount of wealth, or both, you should have a Will. Here we address some of the very common reasons why making a Will is avoided. Do you dislike lawyers? Many people do. We’re used to it.... Read more
Low bank valuations are a real risk, particularly for buyers with smaller deposits, and especially in a booming market. Consider the following scenario. Hollie and Sam are preparing to buy a new home in their popular suburb. The house they want is for auction, and they expect it will sell for around $1.8 million. They’ve saved enough for a 20%... Read more
Super Changes #1: New Cap on Tax-Free Super From 1 July 2017, the Government will introduce a $1.6 million cap on the total amount of superannuation that can be transferred into a tax-free retirement account. Superannuation Balance Greater than $1.6 million? If you are planning to retire after July 2017 and you have a superannuation balance greater than $1.6 million... Read more
Late last year a number of superannuation changes passed parliament and take effect from 1 July 2017. These changes are likely to significantly impact a number of our clients, particularly; Individuals in Transition-to-Retirement, Retirees with more than $1.6 million in superannuation already, Individuals under 65, with significant assets outside superannuation who have not triggered the 3-year NCC bring-forward rule in... Read more