Month: July 2025

When to declare taxable and tax-free government payments, pensions and allowances in your tax return. What are government payments, pensions and allowances? Australian Government payments, pensions and allowances are income amounts that you receive from a government agency. Commonly these payments are from Services Australia or the Department of Veteran’s affairs (DVA). Depending on the … Read more

Investors have faced a wild ride in 2025. The excitement may not be over. Equity and fixed income markets took less than a month to recover after U.S. tariff announcements in early April sent them reeling, giving investors a valuable opportunity to reexamine their relationship with risk. A healthy relationship with risk starts with understanding … Read more

Do you have a plan for who will receive your super if something happens to you? For many Australians, superannuation is their greatest asset outside the family home. But do you have a plan for who will receive your super if something happens to you? The laws around super death benefits are complex, with strict … Read more

Bonds are not usually the flashy upstarts of the investment world with their every move reported, like stocks. But the Trump Administration’s extraordinary refashioning of world trade, with on-again off-again tariffs of eye watering amounts, has put bond markets in a similar position to share markets – in turmoil. So, with the bond markets attracting … Read more

If you are trying to get ahead financially, whether you are coming up with a deposit for your first home, focussed on paying down a mortgage, or working towards any other financial goals, budgeting and being able to save is critical, but as well as minimising your spending, a great way to get ahead is … Read more

The inheritance wave is building but most people are unprepared for the ride Transfers of accumulated wealth from one generation to the next are part and parcel of everyday life. But the next 20 to 30 years will see the biggest intergenerational wealth handover in history. According to estimates made by the Productivity Commission in … Read more

How long to keep rental records You need to keep records for 5 years. Depending on your situation, that is 5 years from the date: you lodge your tax return of your last claim for the decline in value of an asset it is certain that no capital gains tax event can occur after you acquire, sell … Read more

When to include insurance payouts from disaster events in your tax return for businesses, or assets that produce income. When recovering from disaster events, check if you need to report and pay tax on insurance payouts: damaged or destroyed personal items or assets are not taxed businesses or income-producing assets may be taxed. The following … Read more

Retirement might be just around the corner, or maybe you’ve recently crossed that exciting threshold. You’ve worked hard for decades, and now ready to trade in the alarm clock for leisurely mornings and to-do lists that are actually fun. But as you move into the next phase of your life; a thought might cross your … Read more

Why investing extra money from a rate cut can be a better long-term option. Millions of Australians holding variable rate mortgages are about to receive a monthly household cash infusion, thanks to the Reserve Bank’s 0.25% cash rate cut on 20 May. Based on an outstanding mortgage balance of $600,000 with 25 years remaining on … Read more