Could you retire at 40 instead of 67? If you follow a version of the FIRE strategy, it can be possible, but the price is high! What is the FIRE Movement? The FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) challenges the traditional notion of working until 67 by encouraging people to save and invest aggressively to […]
Tax Advice
Tax Advice: 2025 Tax Return | Increase Your Tax Refund | Tax Deductions | Medicare and Health Insurance | Tax Rebates
Modern Awards: Your Rights as an Employee
As an employee in Australia, you have workplace rights that protect both your working conditions and how much you’re paid. In many industries, one of the most important protections is something called a modern award. They set the minimum pay rates and conditions for different industries.
3 Achievable Financial Goals to Set Each Year
If your mind is full of goals but they all seem so overwhelming that you keep putting them off, this article is for you. We look at how you can achieve more by aiming for less.
Contractor vs Employee: Which is best for you?
When you’re weighing up the contractor vs employee career route, you’re not just choosing a job title, you’re shaping your lifestyle, income strategy, and long-term career path. In this guide, we explore the trade-offs between employment and contracting, giving you a clear outline of each structure, along with real-world examples.
How to save money – 3 money saving tips to ignite your savings
Struggling to grow your savings account? With so many increases in the cost of living, many of us are feeling the pinch in our savings accounts. We regularly hear of people actually having to dip into their savings to make ends meet, or to make purchases that just couldn’t be put off any longer. That’s […]
ATO Audits are Now More Accurate at Finding Tax Cheats
ATO Audits are conducted when ATO systems detect signs that someone is cheating on their taxes. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) now uses more advanced computers and IT to detect suspicious claims and fraudulent tax returns. Wrong or missing information on your return can, at best, lead to delays in your refund. However, it’s not […]
The $1000 Instant Tax Deduction: What It Means for You
A new $1000 Instant Tax Deduction is coming next year. Here’s the short version: In the lead-up to the April 2025 federal election, the Government announced a “$1000 instant tax deduction”. They label this as “Tax reform for easier, faster, better tax returns”. They claim it will provide cost-of-living relief and make it easier and […]
Stage 3 Tax Cuts explained – what do they mean for you?
Stage 3 Tax Cuts in a snapshot Stage 3 tax cuts were adjusted from 1 July 2024, aiming to give a bit of a tax break to lower and middle income earners, compared to earlier tax changes that favoured workers already enjoying the biggest salaries. Compared to the original tax cuts, the new changes help […]
How To Get Your Tax Refund Faster
When you’re expecting a tax refund, waiting is never easy. Instead of just wishing it will arrive sooner, read on! There’s no way to know exactly how long the ATO will take to process your tax return. Behind the scenes, the ATO examines tax returns more closely than ever, analysing and comparing your return to […]
myGov vs Etax vs tax agent office
“What’s the best way to do my tax return?” Let’s compare myGov, Etax and other tax return options: What’s the best one for you? The ATO advertises a tax system called myTax, which is inside the myGov website – and it’s one way to lodge your tax return. As a taxpayer, it is hard for […]
How To Do Your Best Tax Return and Boost Your Refund
Many Australians lose hundreds of dollars each year – simply because they forget about work-related deductions and the receipts for items they can claim. Do you compare your tax refund to your friends and family and wonder, “How can I get a better refund”? There are many ways Australians can improve their tax refund. Unfortunately, […]
APRA Super-fund or a Self-Managed Super Fund?
Choosing the Right Super Option for Your Unique Needs Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are growing in popularity and more Australians are using them to build their retirement funds. What are SMSFs, and most importantly, are they worth it? Below we compare the two most popular options, self-managed and APRA-regulated funds. Definitions What is a Self-Managed […]
Claiming Work From Home Tax Deductions
If you’re an employee who works from home, you’re probably using things like your phone, internet, and electricity. These are considered work from home tax deductions that you could potentially claim on your tax return.
Work related car expenses: what can I claim on my tax return?
The ATO has rules for how to calculate car deductions. Find out how new car deduction rules may affect you (and your tax refund).
Simple Ways to Improve Your Tax Refund
Here’s the most common question people ask us every year: How can I get a bigger refund and pay less tax?” Australians are always looking for ways to improve their tax refund. We’ll answer this common question with four easy ways to improve your refund… 1. Manage your tax receipts Keeping track of your receipts […]
