No.100: Vacant Residential Land Tax

Vacant Residential Land Tax (“VRLT”) was introduced in Victoria back in 2017 and was effective from 1 January 2018.  However, this state tax was not widely known because its operation had been largely limited to foreign property owners in urban Melbourne council areas. However, clients with property interests in Victoria outside of metropolitan Melbourne will
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No.99: Superannuation Update

This update is intended to assist you in navigating the rules regarding several key changes and to provide topical information with respect to superannuation. Disclaimer: The information contained in this bulletin contains factual information and makes no recommendation or gives any opinions.  Accordingly, it is not financial product advice and should not be relied upon
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No.98: SMSFs – The importance of valuing your assets

One of the many responsibilities SMSF trustees have each income year is to value their fund’s assets at market value. The market value is calculated on 30 June and is the amount someone could be reasonably expected to pay if the asset was for sale. These valuations will be used when preparing the annual financial statements and
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No.97: Substantial increase to SMSF pensions for the 2024 year

If you have an SMSF paying a pension, you are required to take a minimum amount of income each year from your account. In response to COVID-19, the government temporarily lowered the annual minimum amount until 30 June 2023. From 1 July 2023, the reduction to the minimum pension drawdown requirements no longer applies. Therefore,
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No.96: Victorian State Budget 2023-2024

The 2023-24 State Budget was delivered on Tuesday 23 May 2023. The full Budget papers are split into five sections and are supported by Budget Information Papers available from https://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/state-budget/2023-24-state-budget. Pertinent highlights including those that may have potential implications for your business and or personal finances are set out below. Key Highlights The government has resolved
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No.95: Full Detailed Federal Budget Report 2023/2024

2023/2024 Full Detailed Federal Budget Report The Federal Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers, handed down the 2023-24 Federal Budget at 7:30 pm (AEST) on 9 May 2023. The Budget forecasts the underlying cash balance to be in surplus by $4.2 billion in 2022–23, the first surplus since 2007–08, followed by a forecast deficit of $13.9 billion
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No.94: Labor Government Full Detailed Federal Budget Report 2022/2023

Labor Government 2022/2023 Full Detailed Federal Budget Report The Federal Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers, handed down the Labor government’s first Federal Budget at 7:30 pm (AEDT) on 25 October 2022. Despite an uncertain global economic environment, the Treasurer has lauded Australia’s low unemployment and strong export prices as reason for a 3.5% growth in the
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No.92: Full Detailed Federal Budget Report 2022/2023

Federal Budget 2022/23 full detailed report Highlights In an economy emerging from the pandemic, the unemployment rate is currently at 4% and there is an expected budget deficit of $78 billion for 2022/23. As international uncertainties add pressure on the cost of living, key measures of this year’s Budget are aimed to provide a relief
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No.91: ATO Draft Ruling issued impacting Taxation of Trust Distributions

On 23 February 2022, the Australian Taxation Office issued a Draft Taxation Ruling which is likely to have a significant impact on the taxation treatment of income distributions from trusts.   Specifically, the draft ruling provides the Commissioner’s position on the application of Section 100A, an anti-avoidance provision first announced as a new measure in 1978
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