By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 18 2014 Key points Australia faces three key structural challenges: the end of the commodity price boom is leading to slower growth in national income; this is putting pressure on the budget; & it’s all occurring when productivity growth has slowed. To get growth... Read more
As of 1 July the ATO has new powers to deal with SMSF contraventions and trustees not fulfilling their obligations. A new set of fines ranging from $850 to $10,200, outlined in Table 1 below will be applied depending on the type of contravention and the type of trustee. For individual trustees the fines may be imposed on each individual.... Read more
With the end of the financial year fast approaching, now is an appropriate time for tax planning. Here we highlight the most relevant strategies for our clients. For further information and advice specific to your situation please contact us as soon as possible. For Individuals 1. Capital Gains Tax (CGT): Capital gains can be offset against losses, so now is... Read more
This update comes to you the morning after Joe Hockey delivered the Abbott Government’s first Federal Budget. By last night most of the headline issues had been telegraphed in leaks to the media over recent days. Here is a link to the detailed budget bulletin released by the Institute of Chartered Accountants and running for 56 pages. Here I highlight... Read more
Selling or Leasing a Property with a Swimming Pool in NSW Selling a Property: A valid swimming pool certificate of compliance must be attached to the contract for sale of properties with a swimming pool or spa pool from 29 April 2014. After that date when a property with a swimming pool is being sold, a valid swimming pool... Read more
Foreign residents and Australians who have lived abroad may be affected by recent changes to the capital gains tax (CGT) discount. This will have implications for many of our Expat clients, who will not fully realise the capital gains tax discounting expected upon sale of a property. Previously if you had a capital gain, for example from the sale of... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 12 2014 Key points Australian housing has seen a normal response to lower interest rates. House prices are up and a building boom is on the way. This will help the economy rebalance. The home buyer market is a long way from the bubble... Read more
Younger is better Financial advice is not just for baby boomers on the verge of retirement. If you are career oriented, in your 30’s or 40’s and have high hopes for yourself financially, then you would benefit from talking to a financial adviser. It’s not just about superannuation Superannuation is important, but for you it is also 20 years or... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 10 2014 Key points The situation in Ukraine could get worse before it gets better and so it remains a threat for investors to keep an eye on in the short term. Ultimately, it poses a greater threat to the Russian economy than to... Read more
By Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy & Chief Economist from Oliver’s Insights, AMP Capital, Edition 9 2014 Key points While the global economy is gradually mending, returns will still be constrained and volatile relative to the long term bull market that got underway in the 1980s. As a result asset allocation will remain critically important for investors – particularly... Read more