Rental property tax deductions can be confusing so we thought we would expel a few myths and clarify a few essentials when it comes to claiming your property expenses. Often, a rental property is expensive to maintain, especially if you have gaps between tenants. However, provided you purchased a solid property in a good or progressive suburb, it generally […]
Your Tax and Finances
Your Tax and Finances: Money Tips | Budget and Savings | Superannuation | Rental Income
Top 3 Missed Tax Deductions
A great way to increase your annual tax refund is to claim tax deductions. People often ask us what tax deductions people often miss out on, so here is a quick list that might help boost your tax refund this year. Avoid these 3 commonly missed tax deductions… 1. Claim Union and Registration Fees Do […]
Income Protection Insurance is your safety net, with a tax-deductible perk!
It’s natural for us to want to protect everything we care about. So, why don’t more of us protect our income? Many of us insure our cars, our houses and our possessions, but how many of us protect our weekly income with income protection insurance? The answer is, no many! In fact, when we surveyed taxpayer data we discovered that […]
Private Health Insurance and Tax: Should You Get Private Health Cover?
Should I get private health insurance? Many Australians are questioning whether private health insurance still offers good value. Saving money when it comes to tax time is an important part of the decision. Consumer watchdog Choice has criticised some cheap hospital policies that technically satisfy the Medicare Levy Surcharge exemption but cover very little, leaving […]
Sun Protection Tax Deductions: Are you covered?
There are many professions that require employees to work in the sun for periods of time. With sun exposure one of the key causes of cancer in Australia, sun protection is an absolute necessity for these people. However, sunglasses, sunscreen and protective head gear can end up costing a lot of money. So what can you do? If you’re […]
Overseas HELP Debt – What is it?
The ATO implemented formal changes to how they recover “overseas HELP debt”. So, if you have lived overseas for more than 6 months and have a HELP debt, you may need to make HELP repayments How does the ATO recover HELP debts? Prior to 2017, Australians with a HELP or TSL debt did not have […]
What do I need to know about Superannuation rules?
Your employer sets aside a portion of your income as superannuation, for you to access when you retire. Strict superannuation rules and mandatory fund contributions have put Australians’ retirement savings ahead of people in many other countries that have no required retirement contributions. Superannuation is fairly straightforward for most of us who earn a wage […]
Claiming a laptop on tax: what you need to know
Many of us work after hours at home or spend part of our week working from home. If you use your own equipment for this, especially if you don’t have a work laptop or removing it from the office poses a security risk, you may be able to claim a portion of your personal computer costs […]
Claim personal grooming expenses as tax deductions
Do you have to pay for make up or other personal grooming expenses? If these purchases are essential for your job, you may be able to claim your money back at tax time. When we’re in the public eye at work, we all want to feel like we are well presented or reflect the role […]
Zone Tax Offset: Do you live in a remote area?
What is a zone tax offset? The zone tax offset is a tax concession offset offered by the Australian Tax Office for people who live in remote areas of Australia. This offset helps cover the higher cost of living, amenities and other environmental factors associated with remote living. The zone tax offset can provide significant […]
Overseas Forces Tax Offset: Are you claiming yours?
A question we often hear from people who have worked or are working overseas in the Australian Defence Force is: Am I eligible to receive an overseas forces tax offset when lodging my tax return? The answer is YES as long as you meet certain criteria. How can I claim the overseas forces tax offset? […]
HECS-HELP Benefit
The HECS-Help benefit was created to provide an incentive for graduates in particular fields to pursue industry relevant roles and/or work in specified locations. Taxpayers who meet the relevant eligibility criteria can apply to the Australian Tax Office for the HECS-HELP benefit and if approved, the ATO will pay a “benefit amount” up to approximately […]
Airbnb Tax Information: Tax tips for Airbnb hosts
How does Airbnb affect your tax return? Here’s your guide to everything you need to know about Airbnb tax On a non-business level, Airbnb offers a great opportunity to earn some extra cash by renting out that spare room, or a holiday home that would be quiet for much of the year. However, Airbnb hosts […]
What’s A Good Superannuation Strategy For Me?
(With links to superannuation strategy how-to guides from Money Magazine and CANSTAR) Whether you’re in your 20’s now, or almost ready to retire: A good superannuation strategy can make the difference between a comfortable retirement and a financial struggle. The Government continues to make changes to how you receive the aged pension in retirement, therefore, […]
How to claim work-related phone expenses on your tax return
Do you use your mobile phone for work? If so, you may be able to claim a portion of your mobile phone expenses on your tax return. If you claim your work from home expenses using the 70c fixed rate method, you cannot claim your mobile phone separately. Instead, you can claim actual expenses separately by using the […]
