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 […]
The Etax Blog: Tax Tips
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 […]
How to claim personal super contributions on your tax return
How good does this sound? Add to your super and score tax savings today while building your nest egg for the future. We explain how to claim personal super contributions on your tax return. Most Australians know that super is money for retirement. What’s less well known is that you don’t solely have to rely […]
Is your investment property “tax smart”?
With the ATO cracking down on investment property expense claims, making sure you’re ‘tax smart’ and in control of your finances is more important than ever. How do you keep your investment property expenses, taxes and finances in order? And how do you keep the ATO out of your hair? It all starts with good […]
Unpaid Internships: The Experience Problem
If you’re studying or looking to change careers, you’ve probably encountered the ‘experience paradox’. Most job ads prefer that you have previous experience in the industry, but you can’t get that experience without a job in the first place. Enter: unpaid internships. They can give you the experience you need to flesh out your resume […]
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 […]
APRA Super-fund or a Self-Manged 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. But what are SMSFs and, most importantly, are they worth it? We provide you a comparison between the two most popular options, self-managed and APRA-regulated funds, to […]
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. […]
Claiming Tax Deductions Without Receipts
Do you claim tax deductions when you don’t have a receipt? Claiming with no receipt is becoming a bit risky, because the ATO is more strict now, but in some cases it is okay! Let’s dig into this and try to avoid ATO troubles. Tax deductions are the main way you can improve your tax […]
PAYG Summary:
“I Didn’t Get a PAYG This Year”
A lot of people are saying they didn’t get a PAYG summary. They are wondering what to do. Let’s clear this up, quick. Do I need a PAYG to do my tax return? No, you don’t need a PAYG summary to do your taxes with a tax agent (like most people do, including at Etax). If […]
