PERSONAL

Jan 5, 2026
Beware of barter credit donation tax schemes
The ATO has just issued a strong warning that could save you from a costly tax mistake. In a new taxpayer alert, the ATO says it’s concerned that some promoters are pushing improper schemes where
Dec 12, 2025
ATO’s new draft rules could change your holiday home tax claims
Do you own a holiday home that you sometimes rent out? The ATO has just released draft guidance that could change how you claim your holiday home rental income and expenses.   What's
Nov 6, 2025 What’s the difference between the Medicare levy and the Medicare levy surcharge?
Many people getting their tax notice of assessment wonder why they see amounts for the Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge. Let’s break these down to help you understand who pays them and
Oct 11, 2025
Family Tax Benefit and your tax return: some common misunderstandings
What is the Family Tax Benefit? Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a government payment to help with the cost of raising children. Despite the name, it is not a tax deduction, tax offset or tax refund. It
Sep 12, 2025
Understanding the new 20% student loan reduction
The Australian government's promise to cut student loan debts by 20% has now become law. If you're one of more than three million Australians who have a student loan, you're probably wondering what
Aug 12, 2025
What’s new to look out for when completing your return?
Sometimes when you start working on your tax return it’s natural to assume that the rates for expenses you can claim will be the same as last year. Unless you’re working in tax every day, it’s
Jul 4, 2025
Get it right this tax time: don’t lodge your return too early
Why lodging too early can cause problems With rising living costs and busy schedules, it can feel tempting to lodge your tax return as soon as 1 July arrives. You may be hoping for a quick refund or
Jun 7, 2025 When someone dies: the tax to-do list
The cliché is there’s nothing surer than death and taxes, but here’s another. When death comes, tax affairs surely follow.   The first steps So if someone close to you dies and you
May 6, 2025
Understanding personal services income (PSI)
Are you thinking of becoming an independent contractor, consultant or a freelancer? If you’re embarking on a new career path, take some time to work through the personal services income (PSI)
Apr 7, 2025 Beyond the booking: tax implications for short-term rentals of your home
Tax Implications of Renting Out Your Home Through Airbnb and Similar Platforms In today’s sharing economy, platforms like Airbnb have made it easier than ever to earn extra income by renting out
Mar 27, 2025
Federal Budget 2025 Personal Measures
Personal tax rates cut from 1 July 2026 and 2027 he Government has proposed to cut the personal income tax rate for the income threshold ($18,200 - $45,000) from 16% to 15% (from 1 July 2026) and
Mar 14, 2025 Upskilling? You may be able to claim your self-education expenses
If you’ve thought about upskilling or undertaking professional development this year, you may be able to claim some of your self-education expenses in your 2024–2025 income tax
Feb 11, 2025
Claiming deductions for vacant land
Tax deductions on vacant land. What could be complicated about that? But as with all things tax, it’s not straightforward. Your bit of dirt needs to meet a number of stringent conditions to qualify
Jan 7, 2025 Understanding the Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge
Navigating the Australian tax system can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the Medicare levy and the Medicare levy surcharge. Let’s break these down to help you
Dec 6, 2024
Proposed Changes To HELP Loans Could Mean Lower Repayments In 2025
If you're one of the millions of Australians with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt, you might be wondering how the government's proposed changes to HELP loans could affect you. These
Nov 4, 2024
Can you claim a tax offset?
Understanding Tax Offsets in Australia A tax offset reduces the amount of tax you pay on your taxable income. Most tax offsets are non-refundable, which means they cannot reduce your tax liability
Oct 9, 2024
Do You Rent Out Your Holiday Home?
Tax Considerations for Holiday Homes That Are Rented Out If you own a holiday home, you may choose to rent it out during periods when you are not using it yourself. While this can provide additional
Sep 12, 2024 Unlocking value: Subdividing Your Family Home’s Land
Many retirees find themselves cash-poor but asset-rich. For those living on larger properties, subdividing and selling unused land can be a potential retirement strategy to generate funds for