News + Events

A Small Business Owner’s Perspective: For many small business owners, employee ownership is an attractive idea. It promises commitment without bureaucracy, motivation without constant supervision, and a pathway to succession that doesn’t rely on selling to a competitor or private equity. But ... READ MORE

For many Australians, a holiday home does double duty. It’s a place to escape with family and friends, and during the rest of the year it’s listed on Airbnb or Stayz to help cover the costs.  Until recently, many owners assumed they could claim most of the usual deductions for the property ... READ MORE

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice. By late 2025, they account for more than 8% of new car sales in Australia, driven in no small part by generous tax incentives. One of the most significant is the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount, introduced in mid-2022. For many ... READ MORE

When clients sell a long-held family home, they may be able to channel part of the proceeds into superannuation by using the downsizer contribution rules. Basic Eligibility Conditions To qualify, the seller must meet a number of conditions:- They must have reached the eligible age of 55 years ... READ MORE

As a business owner or investor, time is always tight. So it’s no surprise many people now turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for quick answers on tax deductions, super contributions or structuring ideas. The responses sound confident, arrive instantly and cost nothing. What could go ... READ MORE

As we move into the second half of the financial year, this is a key period for planning, compliance, and making sure you’re positioned to finish the year strongly. Below is a snapshot of what we’ll be working on with you over the coming months — and what we’ll need from you along the way. What ... READ MORE

If you run a business, you already know the juggling act that comes with managing the payroll process — paying staff on time, managing cash flow, and staying compliant. From 1 July 2026, there’s a major change coming that will reshape how you handle superannuation contributions for staff. It’s ... READ MORE

By Paul Milbourne – Business & Personal Insurance Specialist - www.milbourne.com.au When people start exploring life insurance, it’s easy to feel lost. There are products advertised by general insurers, some offered directly online, others through advisers – and many look similar on the ... READ MORE

If you’ve invested in further study — an MBA, a leadership course, or a postgraduate qualification — you might be wondering: can this help at tax time? For many professionals, the answer is yes — but only if the right boxes are ticked. The ATO’s rules on self-education expenses are strict, and ... READ MORE

For years, businesses have been moving away from cash – and for good reason. Digital payments are quick, traceable, and cut down on the risk of theft or counting errors. But that tap-and-go world might soon have to make room again for notes and coins. The Government has released draft regulations ... READ MORE

Running, or deciding to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) gives you control, but it also brings legal responsibilities. The Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SISA) contains detailed rules on trustee duties, investments, borrowing, payments and recordkeeping. ... READ MORE

Cybersecurity is fast becoming a critical business strategy – and if it’s not, it should be. Many businesses hold critical data that poses significant risk to both businesses and their customers if the data they hold is not safeguarded from cybersecurity threats.  The largest threats to ... READ MORE

Imagine this: after years of hardship and illness, you’re forced to retire early on a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) pension from your super fund. It’s your only income stream. Then come the medical bills – tens of thousands of dollars in treatments to manage the very conditions that ended ... READ MORE

If your super balance is comfortably below $3 million, you can probably relax — the proposed changes to the super rules shouldn’t adversely affect you (yet). But if your super is nudging that level, or if you’re clearly over, the Treasurer’s latest announcement could change how you think about ... READ MORE

A new Bill before Parliament – the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Systems and Other Measures) Bill 2025 – proposes several key changes that could affect small businesses, listed companies, and the not-for-profit sector. The headline measure is the proposed extension of the $20,000 ... READ MORE

Superannuation is one of the largest assets for many Australians and offers significant tax advantages, however, strict rules apply to when it can be accessed. While super is most commonly accessed at retirement, death or disability, there are limited situations where earlier access may be ... READ MORE

Leaving debts outstanding with the ATO is now more expensive for many taxpayers.  As we explained in the July edition of our newsletter, general interest charge (GIC) and  shortfall interest charge (SIC) imposed by the ATO is no longer tax-deductible from 1 July 2025. This applies ... READ MORE

A recent decision of the Administrative Review Tribunal (Goldenville Family Trust v Commissioner of Taxation [2025]) highlights the importance of documentation and evidence when it comes to tax planning and the consequences of not getting this right.  The case involved a family trust which ... READ MORE

The Federal Government recently wrapped up a consultation process on supermarket unit pricing. While the topic might sound like a purely consumer issue, it could have very real commercial impacts for businesses supplying into the grocery sector. On 1 September 2025, Treasury opened consultation ... READ MORE

Tidying Up ABNs The ATO is currently reviewing and cancelling ABNs that are no longer required, particularly for investment entities. In the past, accountants often applied for an ABN when setting up a new company or trust, regardless of whether the entity was actively trading. However, an ... READ MORE

In a widely anticipated move on 12 August 2025, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) delivered a 25 basis point rate cut, lowering the cash rate from 3.85% to 3.60%, the third reduction this year. This rate is now at its lowest level since March 2023 signaling renewed monetary easing amid persistent ... READ MORE

On 1 July 2025 the superannuation guarantee rate increased to 12% which is the final stage of a series of previously legislated increases. Employers currently need to make superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions for their employees by 28 days after the end of each quarter (28 October, 28 ... READ MORE

Back in March this year the Government announced its intention to ban non-compete clauses for low and middle-income employees and consult on the use of non-compete clauses for those on higher incomes. The Government has indicated that the reforms in this area will take effect from 2027. This didn’t ... READ MORE

In support of young Australians and in response to the rising cost of living, the Australian Government has passed legislation to reduce student loan debt by 20% and change the way that loan repayments are determined. This should help students significantly more than the advice from outside of ... READ MORE