Understanding the First Home Super Saver Scheme

With much controversial discussion surrounding the First Home Super Saver Scheme, understanding exactly what the Scheme entails is necessary. The scheme was announced in the 2017-18 Federal Budget as a means to reduce the pressure surrounding housing affordability across Australia. The formalities of the scheme are as follows: As of 1 July 2017, individuals can…

ATO cracking down on developers avoiding GST

This year, the Australian Taxation Office has placed a greater focus on property developers and are particularly watching company directors with a history of GST obligations avoidance. As of May 2017, the Government announced new requirements on those purchasing newly constructed residential properties or new subdivisions to remit the GST directly to the ATO as…

Maximising your SMSF returns

Many Australians opt for a self-managed super fund but fail to understand how to truly make it perform optimally. If you have an SMSF and are serious about maximising your returns, consider the following: Risk Without taking risks, you won’t be able to experience great profit. However, there you still need to be cautious of…

ATO reforms on deductible gift recipients

The Government has announced a reform of the Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status to strengthen governance arrangements, reduce administrative complexity and ensure trust and confidence in the sector. The reforms are as follows: From 1 July 2019, non-government DGR’s must be registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Non-for-profits Commission. Non-government DGR’s that…

FBT issues that raise ATO attention

With the FBT year-end just around the corner, it is a good time to review your FBT compliance to avoid raising attention from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). The ATO is currently targeting the following rules for FBT: Motor vehicles Situations where an employer-provided motor vehicle is used or available for private travel for staff.…

Secrets to a savvy SMSF

Opting for a self-managed super fund (SMSF) can be a clever financial decision, but it’s not for everyone. If you aren’t prepared to adhere to the following tips, your SMSF will most likely fail to perform as well as you would of hoped it to. Stay informedYou can’t expect your SMSF balance to be the…