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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ATO crackdown on work related deductions and business expenditure

Whilst historically ATO audits were targeted at big business and the wealthy, this has changed. Now more than ever, individuals, business and self-managed superannuation funds are at risk of being selected for an audit, investigation or review.  The Commissioner of Taxation, Chris Jordan has confirmed the ATO has been instructed to undertake random audits targeting …

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What’s more important? Minimising tax or building wealth?

Tax is most people’s largest lifetime expense! Therefore, it is not difficult to understand how taking proactive steps to minimise your taxes can produce significant financial benefits. Different taxes will impact you at different stages of life depending on the wealth you have accumulated i.e. types of investments, amounts and ownership structures used. The common …

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