The income year in which you enter into a contract to sell an asset is crucial for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes. This is because it will be in that income year that you make a capital gain or loss on the sale of the asset – and not the income year in which “settlement”...

With the end of the financial year coming up, now’s a great time to get on top of your tax and super. A little planning before 30 June can help you make the most of any opportunities to reduce tax, boost your super, and avoid last-minute surprises. This checklist outlines key things to consider and...

The rules surrounding the circumstances in which a home will be fully exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) are quite extensive – and complex. One crucial one is that the exemption is only available for a home and “adjacent land to the extent that the land was used primarily for private or domestic purposes in...

Here are some more detailed tips relating to a couple of common claims that often attract ATO scrutiny. Working from home A lot of people are still regularly working from home for at least part of the week. If you do, you are entitled to a deduction for the additional costs you incur. To be...

A recent decision of the tax tribunal has highlighted the requirement that in order to use the CGT small business concessions for a capital gain made on an asset used in a business, the asset must have been used, or held ready for use, in that business for the required time. And this required time...

If your super balance has suffered from recent market volatility there may be opportunities available now that weren’t before. Here are a few worth exploring. Entitlement to an Age Pension If you’re 67 or older, a lower super balance may mean you now qualify for the Age Pension or a higher payment if you are...

So, you have decided to knock down your home and to build a couple of townhouses instead – and maybe live in one (but will just wait and see how things pan out). Likewise, you may have decided to subdivide your large backyard to do a similar thing. In another case, you may have bought...

When a person writes a will they usually leave their assets to their children – and usually in equal shares. And when they first write their will their children may be young – and they may also be relatively young when they later update it. However, there is a potential capital gains tax (CGT) issue...

If you have some extra cash, you might be deciding whether to make a concessional contribution to your super fund or use it to pay down your mortgage, whether on your home or holiday house. Both strategies have advantages, but the right choice depends on your personal situation. Let’s take a closer look at the...

Congratulations! Your investment has done well, and you’re cashing in. You’re happy, and so too is the ATO. That substantial capital gain has brought wealth and a hefty tax bill. Sharing might be part of the deal but when it comes to your hard-earned profits, you might prefer to keep the ATO’s share to a...