AUGUST 2026
RENTING OUT YOUR HOME - AND THE CGT AND NEGATIVE GEARING CHANGES: One of the many areas where the big changes to negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax may have an effect is where you use the “absence concession” to allow you to “continue to treat” your home as your CGT-free main residence during an extended absence from the home - including where you rent it out for up to 6 years during this period.
THE WHEELS NOW IN MOTION FOR FAMILY TRUST CHANGES: With the Government set to impose a minimum 30% tax on discretionary or “family” trusts from 1 July 2028, it’s probably time to start thinking about what you should do about any existing family trust you have.
WHAT YOU NEED TO RETIRE: The Latest Numbers: Have you ever wondered how much superannuation you will have and need in retirement? The answer is it depends on a range of factors, such as your lifestyle goals, whether you have paid off your mortgage, your financial situation, whether you live a relatively healthy lifestyle, your likely life expectancy, and so on.
SALARY SACRIFICING TO SUPER: Are you an employee thinking of putting some of your pre-tax income into superannuation to boost your retirement savings? This is known as salary sacrifice, and the good news is that it can benefit you and your employer.
SHOULD YOU SELL BEFORE 1 JULY 2027?: From 1 July 2027, the way capital gains are taxed for individuals, trusts and partnerships is set to change. The 50% CGT discount will be replaced by cost base indexation and a new 30% minimum tax on real gains.
SEPTEMBER 2026
BUYING A NEW HOME? MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE TAX INS AND OUTS: With house prices failing in some major capital cities, you may be looking to buy a home - either as a first home buyer or otherwise.
COLLECTABLES – DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT!: Capital gains tax does not just apply to “big ticket” items such as real estate, farms and shareholdings. It also applies to a special class of assets known as “personal use assets”, and in particular, those personal use assets known as “collectables”.
THE “WIDOW TAX” AND JOINTLY OWNED PROPERTY: There has been a lot of talk in the media about the government’s new “widow tax” following the Budget brought down earlier in the year.
CONCESSION CARDS: Government concession cards, including the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card and state based Seniors Cards, can save you a lot. They cut the cost of healthcare, prescriptions and everyday bills. Several rates and thresholds affecting eligibility change on 20 September 2026, so now is a good time to review what the cards are worth and check whether you qualify.
CLAIMING WORK EXPENSES: Everyone loves a work-related deduction. From the 2026-27 income year there is a standard deduction of up to $1,000 for work-related expenses, and it applies automatically. This will simplify things for many. However, if your claims exceed $1,000 you still need to substantiate every dollar.
CAN MY SMSF AND I CO-INVEST IN A PROPERTY: Since 10 August 2026, SMSFs can no longer use a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement (LRBA) to acquire residential property. Existing arrangements are grandfathered, and borrowing to acquire business real property is not affected. Co-ownership may be a solution for SMSFs without enough cash to purchase a property outright.
JUNE 2026
In this edition:
Budget Changes to Negative Gearing: What do the Budget changes to negative gearing mean to you if you own a residential investment property?
Budget changes to CGT discount: What do the Budget changes to CGT discount mean to you?
The new 30% minimum tax on trust income will hit many small businesses hard: As from 1 July 2028, there is to be a radical shift away from the well-established flow-through treatment of the taxable income of discretionary trusts.
Ceased Work and Claiming Jobseeker: What it means for your super.
Super and Bankruptcy: If bankruptcy is on the horizon, one of the first questions people ask is what happens to their super. The answer turns on timing, the type of contribution, and how you draw on the fund.
JULY 2026
Family Trusts: With family trusts there are two recent very major things that have happened that will affect the way they will be taxed in the future.
New tax Legislation: With the Budget changes now legislated, perhaps it's time to consider more closely how they may affect you, and what you can do about it – especially in relation to the CGT discount changes.
Foreign Residents cannot get a CGT exempt home: If you are a foreign resident for tax purposes when you sell your Australian home, you cannot claim the usual capital gains tax exemption on it. This applies no matter how long you lived in the home or even if you were only a foreign resident for a short time before the sale.
High Court rules unpaid trust amounts are not loans: If your family trust gives a company a share of trust income but does not actually pay it across, the High Court has confirmed this is not automatically treated as a loan back to the trust. That matters, because being treated as a loan could trigger an unexpected tax bill under the rules known as Division 7A.
Borrowing in your SMSF: Self-managed super funds are generally not allowed to borrow money. A limited recourse borrowing arrangement, or LRBA, is one of the few exceptions. It lets a fund borrow to buy a single asset, with the lender's rights limited to that asset alone.
APRIL 2026
Welcome to the April edition of our client newsletter. This month, we’ve compiled a selection of timely and practical insights across tax, superannuation and financial planning — helping you stay informed, confident, and in control of your financial decisions. In this edition:
Division 296 tax is now law: what it means for your super
The new Division 296 tax is now in effect for individuals with super balances of $3 million or more from 1 July 2026. We break down how this measure works and what it could mean for your retirement savings.
Granny flats – be aware of the CGT consequences
Granny flat arrangements are becoming more common, but they can come with unexpected tax consequences. We outline the key CGT issues you should be aware of before entering into an arrangement.
Higher super contribution caps from 1 July 2026: what it means for you
Contribution limits are increasing from 1 July 2026, creating new opportunities to grow your super. We explain the changes and how you may be able to take advantage of them.
Capital gains tax (CGT) still applies even if you’re forced to sell an asset
Being required to sell an asset doesn’t mean you’re exempt from CGT. We explain how CGT can still apply and what to consider in these situations.
Car logbooks: Back to basics
Three recent cases have put the spotlight on car expense claims, reinforcing the need for accurate and compliant logbooks. We explain the key requirements and common pitfalls to avoid.
MAY 2026
Welcome to the May edition of our client newsletter. This month, we’ve compiled a selection of timely and practical insights across tax, superannuation and financial planning — helping you stay informed, confident, and in control of your financial decisions.
Federal Budget insights: Potential changes to negative gearing and the CGT discount, and what they could mean for investors.
ATO fuel relief support: New payment plans available for businesses impacted by rising fuel costs.
CGT guidance: Key considerations when assets are lost, destroyed, or acquired through options.
SMSF strategies: Why a corporate trustee may be a smarter choice for your super fund.
Super contributions after 67: Understanding the work test and how to qualify for tax deductions.
Retirement planning: A practical guide to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and eligibility strategies.
EOFY tax planning: A comprehensive checklist to help reduce tax and prepare before 30 June.
Superannuation checklist: Tips to maximise contributions and benefits before year-end.
FEBRUARY 2026
Changes to the tax treatment of holiday homes
Holiday homes have long been a grey area from a tax perspective. New ATO guidance has tightened the rules around the taxation of holiday rental properties, particularly where owners rent out all or part of a property without running a business. We explain how the updated guidance affects rental income and the deductibility of ownership costs in different situations.
CGT: Buying a new home before selling the old one
If you’ve purchased a new home before selling your existing one, there are important capital gains tax (CGT) implications to consider. The key issue is that under the CGT rules, you generally can’t treat more than one home as fully exempt at the same time. We outline what you need to know.
Permanent incapacity and super – What it means if you’re totally and permanently disabled
If you become totally and permanently disabled (TPD), you may be able to access your super even if you don’t hold TPD insurance within your fund. We explain how the rules work and why understanding them can be crucial when income and financial security are under pressure.
Six changes impacting your super in 2026
Superannuation rules continue to evolve, and 2026 is shaping up to bring several important changes. While some updates may only affect a small group, others could impact most people with super. We highlight six key changes worth keeping on your radar.
MARCH 2026
Welcome to the March edition of our client newsletter. This month, we’ve brought together a range of timely and practical insights across tax, superannuation and financial planning, all designed to help you stay informed, prepared and in control of your financial position. In this edition:
Payday super checklist for employers: Steps to stay compliant
From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as salary and wages. This represents a significant shift for many businesses. We outline what the new rules mean and provide a practical checklist to help small employers prepare now.
Commonwealth seniors health card (CSHC): What’s changing from 20 March 2026
The CSHC offers valuable benefits for eligible self-funded retirees, including reduced health costs and cheaper PBS medicines. However, it is income tested, and upcoming increases to deeming rates may impact eligibility. We explain what’s changing and how it could affect you.
Fringe benefits tax (FBT) checklist 2025-26
With the FBT return deadline approaching, we provide a helpful (non-exhaustive) checklist to assist employers in identifying potential FBT liabilities and ensuring compliance.