Newsletter

For many SMSF trustees, property is one of the most significant assets held by their SMSF. Unlike personally owned assets, there is a legal requirement that all SMSF assets are valued each 30 June. This can be a simple process for assets that have a ready market like listed shares, however the process for other assets like property can be

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From 1 July 2026, the value of a Commonwealth penalty unit increased from $330 to $364. While this may sound like a minor administrative change, it has a direct impact on many ATO penalties, increasing the cost of a range of compliance failures. A penalty unit is simply the method used under Commonwealth law to calculate many fines and administrative

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The ATO has released its updated reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance rates for the 2026–27 income year in Taxation Determination TD 2026/4. The overtime meal allowance has increased to $40.00, while the reasonable amounts for domestic and overseas travel have also been updated based on salary levels and travel destinations. Although these figures are widely publicised each year, they

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Discretionary trusts, often referred to as family trusts, have been a popular structure for Australian families and businesses for many decades. They are commonly used to operate family businesses, hold investments and assist with succession planning. Their flexibility, together with asset protection and estate planning benefits, has made them an attractive option for many groups. In the 2026–27 Federal Budget,

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To ensure passage of the negative gearing and CGT discount changes that were announced in the May 2026 Federal Budget the Government agreed to make amendments to the SMSF borrowing rules. SMSFs are able to borrow in restricted circumstances which includes borrowing under a limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) to purchase a single acquirable asset. While there have previously been

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If you’re thinking about purchasing or leasing a vehicle for your business in the new financial year, it’s worth understanding the updated car thresholds that apply from 1 July 2026. While these limits may seem technical, they can have a practical impact on the amount you can claim for tax depreciation deductions, the GST credits that are available, and whether

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The sharing economy has created new opportunities for Australians to earn additional income. Whether it’s driving for a ride-sharing service, renting out a holiday property, completing freelance work, hiring out equipment, or creating digital content, many people are supplementing their regular income through online platforms. However, one aspect that can sometimes come as a surprise at tax time is that

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The High Court has recently handed down an important decision that will impact many private business groups using discretionary trusts and corporate beneficiaries. In Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel [2026] HCA 18 (10 June 2026), the Court rejected the ATO’s long-standing view that an unpaid distribution (also known as an unpaid present entitlement or UPE) owed by a trust to

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The ATO is sharpening its focus on how taxpayers generating income from personal services deal with that income for tax purposes. In a recent Spotlight bulletin, Small Business Assistant Commissioner Tony Poulakis highlighted the release of Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2025/5. This guideline clarifies the ATO’s compliance approach to the “alienation” of personal services income (PSI) — essentially, arrangements which

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One of the most significant changes to the Australian superannuation system in decades has now commenced. From 1 July 2026, Payday Super requires employers to ensure super contributions reach employee super funds within seven business days of each payday. For many businesses, this represents a major shift from a quarterly payment cycle to a more frequent, real-time obligation. While the

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