What is Loyalty Tax? Firstly, Loyalty Tax has absolutely nothing to do with the ATO; it’s a far more underhanded way of extracting money from us. Many energy, mobile, broadband, mortgage, savings, credit cards and insurance providers increasingly punish us for our loyalty by quietly upping premiums as time goes by. Put simply, service providers […]
Personal Finances
Tax and Your Budget: Managing Debts | Tax Saving Tips | Budgeting and Saving | Personal Finances | Rental Income
What are franked dividends and how do franking credits work?
One out of every three Australians owns directly held shares. It’s really quite common, and many of them receive dividends on those shares. But when it comes to how dividends are taxed, it can suddenly seem very confusing. Let’s explore what franking credits and fully franked dividends are all about Think back to the 2019 […]
Worried about job security? Up-skill to protect yourself!
Workplace change is nothing new. Plenty of jobs that used to be common just don’t exist anymore. When was the last time you saw a milkman doing the rounds? (Or, have you ever seen a milkman?) The flipside is that change creates new opportunities – including interesting new jobs. Less than a generation ago, no […]
Three budgeting tips to re-ignite your savings
Not feeling the love for your budget? Try these simple steps to rekindle a passion for saving. The trouble is, traditional budgeting can be light on the fun factor. That leaves plenty of us in the dark about where our money goes. In fact, close to nine out of ten Australians are clueless about their […]
Getting Married and Taxes: What you need to know for your next tax return
Marriage is an exciting and joyful time, but when it comes tax and marriage, it’s also a source of confusion amongst taxpayers in Australia. At Etax, prospective newlyweds often ask us about the tax implications of getting married. Often, they want to know whether a joint tax return is needed when their relationship status changes […]
Heading overseas to Work? You need our taxes for Australian expats guide!
Planning an extended overseas working holiday or relocating for work? Heading to Europe, the United States, Asia or anywhere else for that matter? It’s hugely exciting, but when it comes to Australian expat tax obligations, there can be lots of administration and paperwork that comes with the move. We’re here to make the transition easier […]
How to claim tax deductible donations
When you give money to a charity, your gift can be a tax-deductible donation Tax deductible donations are a great way to give your tax refund a boost while contributing to a worthy cause. Charities rely on the generosity of people’s donations to support them, so they can work toward important goals like helping the […]
5 Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund This Year
This year, before you race off to the shops to spend your tax refund, consider your tax refund could have the biggest impact on your life and your finances. At Etax we hear from lots of Australians (and tax accountants) about the ways they plan to spend their tax refund. Let’s look at some of […]
Saving Money: How to save a million dollars (really) – plus how to save money faster
How to be good at saving money It’s a comfort to know you can quickly get your hands on some money if you need it – without resorting to a loan from a bank, family or friends. It’s also a comfort to know you’ll be able to reach goals like buying a home and retiring comfortably. […]
The All-important Shared Finances Conversation
Every couple has ‘the conversation’ about sharing finances. But, as with all money-related matters, it’s rarely a straightforward process. We discuss all of your options below… Shared finances or keeping things separate The ‘traditional’ idea of shared finances involves a couple simply merging all their financial assets. So, you combine both savings accounts and debt […]
Tax Guide for Couples
We wrote this tax guide for couples to help you determine whether you need to include your partner’s information on your next tax return. Read on to learn more about the obligations you have this year… Who the ATO defines as a couple for tax purposes is a common cause of confusion. Once you’re familiar […]
Private health insurance tiers to ease health cover confusion
At the beginning of April 2019, private health insurance had a much-needed overhaul with the introduction of structured health insurance tiers. With confusion growing over what health insurance policies did and didn’t cover, the aim of the new tier system is to greatly simplify the process of purchasing the right level of health cover for […]
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS): your guide to buying your first home sooner
If you’re someone who’s been saving for a first home deposit, then there’s one scheme you should know about. It’s called the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS). The point of the scheme is to help people of all ages get into their first homes sooner. It was introduced by the Australian Government in the […]
Pay Off Your Credit Card or Invest? What’s the Smartest Move?
Is it best to pay off your credit card straight away? Or do you make more money by investing in a high-interest account or shares? When it comes to simple savings strategies, this should be one of the first questions you ask. And thankfully, we’ve got all the numbers to help you decide. Credit Card […]
HELP Repayment Rates: How To Repay HELP Debt Quickly
Need help with HELP debts? Here are some tips on repaying your HELP debt… If you are one of many people who graduated university with a HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) debt, you might not be sure exactly what the steps are to repay help debt. It’s important that you know how to repay HELP debt […]
