This information about the new Backpacker Tax will be relevant for employers who currently employ holiday makers on 417 and 462 visas. The changes mean that these working holiday makers will no longer be classified as residents for tax purposes from 1 January 2017. Action Required by Employers Use Visa entitlement verification online to check if your worker has a... Read more
Employers are entitled to discipline employees for certain out-of-hours conduct. Social media has changed our communication norms. Whilst sometimes these communications resemble ‘word of mouth’ conversations, they are set out in written form, in many cases for the world (and employers) to see. Social media interactions made outside work on personal accounts can have a significant impact on the employment... Read more
There has been an increase in demand for investment bonds in Australia as clients are seeking tax-effective strategies besides superannuation and corporate structures. An investment bond (or insurance bond) is an efficient long-term savings vehicle which operates similarly to a managed fund, where investors can choose from a range of investment options to suit their risk appetite and objectives, but... Read more
Special Professional Income Averaging (SPIA) allows individuals in certain professions to average their income over a four-year rolling period. SPIA is likely to result in lower tax rates for special professionals whose income tends to rise and fall. This concessionary tax treatment ensures an individual is not paying additional tax due to the irregular nature of their work or income.... Read more
Core Logic RP Data recently published an article analysing Sydney’s property price premium. You can read the full article here and some key data from the article is below. Median House Prices Combined Capital Cities $600,000 Sydney $890,000 Melbourne $641,500 Brisbane $505,000 Adelaide $440,000 Perth $480,000 Hobart $349,500 Darwin $500,000 Canberra $625,000 The median house price in Sydney is 39%... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 34 2016\ Key points Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States risks ushering in a period of policy uncertainty which could cause further share market weakness in the short term. Australia and Asia generally are particularly exposed to this given the high... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 33 2016 Key Points The smoothest outcome for investors from next Tuesday’s US election would be a Clinton victory but with the Republicans continuing to control the House of Representatives, ie, “more of the same”. However, news of the FBI’s renewed examination of Clinton’s... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 32 2016 Key Points The combination of a massive ramp up in financial information combined with our natural inclination to zoom in on negative news is making us worse investors: more fearful, more jittery, more short term. Five ways to help manage the noise... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 30 2016 Key Points The 8 November US Presidential election is looming as a significant event for investors (and the world) given the “policies” of Republican candidate Donald Trump. The smoothest outcome for investors would be a Clinton victory but Republicans continuing to control... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 28 2016 Key points The mostly gloomy debate around the Australian economy often gives the impression we are in a constant state of crisis. But economic growth is pretty good, the economy has rebalanced without the (“inevitable”) recession, the worst of the mining bust... Read more