Do you own your own business? The hair salon of your dreams, the plumbing service you knew you could do better or the business coaching consultancy that you’ve been wanting to run for years? Now, do you work with a bookkeeper? Running a business is harder than it seems and more work than every business owner…
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The 1 July 2017 superannuation reforms introduced a new reporting regime for funds. Funds now need to advise the ATO of key events within the fund that impact on retirement income streams (pensions):
A good mortgage broker can be the key to your property portfolio success. Here’s seven things to look for when choosing your broker. When it comes to one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, it pays to have some professional help. But how do you find a good mortgage broker, and what can…
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Are you the ‘better safe than sorry’ or a ‘she’ll be alright’ type when it comes to insurance? Many people view insurance protection as a ‘waste of money’ or ‘an ongoing cost that you don’t get anything back from’? Shockingly, many people are more likely to insure their car than they are their lives.
Here’s a recipe for a basic financial plan: Take one or more income sources and pour into a big pot. Add appropriate amounts of life, income protection and permanent disability insurance. Simmer for a few decades while slowly adding superannuation contributions and a dollop of non-super savings. Stir in some constructive debt, but take care…
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Download a copy of our September Newsletter
Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) open up a whole new world of investment opportunities for your retirement savings, including direct property. But what if you simply don’t have enough money in super to buy an asset outright?
A home loan is generally a long-term proposition, but in some situations it can make sense to refinance your mortgage. Read this guide to the refinancing process, and speak to your broker, before deciding whether it’s right for you. Refinancing involves taking out a new mortgage and using those funds to pay off your existing…
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And give you great flexibility. It’s often said that Australians are more likely to divorce their spouse than switch banks. But with plenty of competition in the home loan sector, refinancing can be a good move.
Wondering how to pay off your home loan sooner? We look at some smart tips for paying off your home loan sooner. Australian home loan interest rates remain at historic lows, and the opportunities for paying off a mortgage early are better than ever. Used in conjunction with low rates, here are some extra steps…
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The “downsizer contribution” is proposed to allow individuals to contribute up to $300k of the proceeds from the sale of a residence owned by a person or their spouse to their Super. The property must be located in Australia and have been owned by the individual, their spouse or former spouse for at least a…
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It’s true the method used to arrive at a credit decision by lenders, for a finance application, will differ from bank to bank. It’s also true that the method will differ greatly depending on the type of finance (or loan) being sought. The greatest truth however is that all methods are based on, or derived…
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There are many reasons to consider setting up a family trust but it is important to understand what they are and what benefits they can provide before making the move.
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Beat the urge to splurge The urge to buy something on impulse can be strong for a lot of reasons – it’s a bargain, you deserve it, or just because it’s right there. However, impulse buying can become a problem if it means you spend more than you earn. Here are our tips on how…
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Over the last 6-12mths we have seen dramatic movements in Home Loans rates, both up and down, and all movements have been independent of any changes to the official rates by the Reserve Bank. Why ??
For Individuals The ATO is increasing their audit focus on the following areas:
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It is fast approaching the 30th of June so now is the time to run through a checklist of what you need to do prior to the end of the financial year.
One of the more common strategies used by business owners to reduce tax is to purchase a car before the end of the financial year. This often sees lenders completing up to 1/3 of their entire year’s vehicle finance budget in the last 6 weeks of the financial year. Thankfully the last minute stress and…
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So it’s the first week of June and you’re probably thinking that it’s too late to do anything material to reduce your tax before June 30. Right?? Wrong!! It’s both obvious and true that like any other life endeavour nothing usually beats a combination of great advice followed by a commitment to work to a…
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Every year news outlets flood us with information about changes in the budget, all manor of issues are covered and their consequences for individuals and businesses are highlighted to all. As can be the case with news media, some of the information is sensationalised and some of it complex so the truth, the actual impact…
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In Australia, around 77% of SMSF’s currently have individual trustees. However, the case for using a corporate trustee is growing stronger and we are now seeing an annual shift away from individual trustees. In this issue, we investigate some of the reasons why this is the case:
Changes to superannuation laws in 2007 provided SMSF’s the opportunity to borrow for the purpose of acquiring a single asset (such as a commercial or residential property) through their SMSF. If the SMSF has a deposit that meets the lenders requirements the lender will provide the balance of the purchase price. Legislation requires that the…
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To retire comfortably, your employer’s 9.5% contributions to your super may not be enough. By making extra contributions, you will boost the amount of super you have when you stop working. The key though is to start now so you can relax later. Why grow your super? There are lots of good reasons why you…
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Download a copy of our May Newsletter
More than 300,000 part-pensioners will either suffer a cut in their payments or lose access under new asset test rules coming into effect on 1January 2017. Under the deal struck between the Coalition and the Greens, more than 90 per cent of pensioners will be better off or have no change to their payment.
You can claim a deduction for repairs and maintenance to your property as long as they are not capital expenses. Many landlords forget about the new tap or roof repair as their primary focus is on the rental returns and capital gains.
If you put all of the Australian banking economists into a room and asked them to come to a consensus on interest rates the likelihood is you would not get one. How then are us regular punters supposed to get it right when the time comes to make a decision on our own interest rate…
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