Author name: dunsford

This year’s Federal budget was widely expected to include significant tax changes compared to the reasonably moderate tax changes we have seen recently (with the exception of time limited COVID-based concessions).  It did not disappoint.  The changes to capital gains tax, taxation of trusts and to a lesser extent negative gearing represent a fundamental change […]

Small and medium businesses New minimum tax for discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028 From 1 July 2028, trustees will pay a minimum tax of 30% on the taxable income of discretionary trusts. Beneficiaries, other than corporate beneficiaries, will receive non-refundable credits for the tax payable by the trustee.  Corporate beneficiaries will be assessed on

The budget provides further tax support for workers through a tax offset and standard tax deduction. However, as expected, the most significant changes are to capital gains tax and changes to negative gearing for residential properties. The budget provides wholesale tax changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, the scale which have not been

Australians inherited an estimated $150 billion in 2024, an increase of more than 70 per cent in a decade, according to a JBWere report.i It’s a number that’s predicted to grow more rapidly over the coming 20 years to $5.4 trillion, the report finds. Managing this flow of wealth to family groups, often complicated by

When you think about building wealth, you may picture investments, property and superannuation. But there’s another critical element: insurance. It’s the silent partner in your financial strategy, quietly working behind the scenes to protect everything you’ve built. Strategic asset allocation is the hallmark of a robust wealth plan, using diverse holdings to build long-term financial

How your super is affected if your marriage or relationship breaks down. Overview If your relationship with your spouse ends, you should be aware of what can happen to the super entitlements of you both. The Family Court and super-splitting laws generally enable super interests (accounts in super funds) or super payments (pensions or annuities)

Discover ways to answer the common question ‘How much do I need to retire?’ Learn about retirement costs How much retirement costs depends on what you want out of retirement, and your individual needs and circumstances. The lifestyle you want may look different to another person’s, so your living costs will be different. For example,

Following the release of the latest average wages data for the December 2025 quarter, FirstTech have calculated the super rates and thresholds for 2026-27. Access our ‘Super rates & thresholds for 2026-27‘ for super contributions, super benefits and employment termination payment thresholds. Centrelink rates to increase from 20 March 2026 The Government has announced that social security deeming rates

What role will an inheritance play in your long-term wealth strategy? If the ballpark numbers are at least remotely close, the amount of assets set to be transferred from one generation to the next in Australia over the coming decades will amount to trillions of dollars. According to estimates within a 2021 Productivity Commission report, Australians

When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% in February, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched. For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings and term deposits will