DPN Review: A Wake-Up Call for Business Owners on Personal Tax Risks
Running a successful business is hard work—and sometimes, despite best intentions, tax obligations slip. If the business is being operated through a company structure, then the ATO can potentially issue a Director Penalty Notice (DPN), holding company directors personally liable for unpaid taxes. In 2024–25, DPNs skyrocketed by 136%, reaching over 84,000 notices, affecting directors […]
Navigating CGT on Your Home: New ATO Clarity for Home-Based Businesses
Running a business from home whether as a sole trader, freelancer, or small operator—has many perks. But when it comes to selling your home and potentially saving on tax, recent guidance from the ATO serves as a reality check. The ATO has provided its views on how home-based businesses interact with the small business capital […]
ATO Update on Inherited Homes: What it Means for Your Family’s Wealth
The ATO has issued a Draft Taxation Determination TD 2026/D1 which looks at how inherited family homes are treated for CGT purposes. Some industry commentators have dubbed it a “death tax by stealth”, but it is a bit more complex than this. The draft guidance focuses on a specific aspect of the rules around applying […]
Keeping Your Self-Managed Super Fund Compliant
Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) can offer significant flexibility, allowing themembers to make investments and enter arrangements that may not be availablethrough retail or industry superannuation funds. However, being an SMSF trustee doescome with important responsibilities to ensure that all dealings comply withsuperannuation law. Two critical areas to keep front of mind are: ·The sole purpose […]
Downsizer Contributions and the Main Residence Exemption
When clients sell a long-held family home, they may be able to channel part of the proceeds into superannuation by using the downsizer contribution rules. Basic Eligibility Conditions To qualify, the seller must meet a number of conditions: They must have reached the eligible age of 55 years (at the time of making the […]
AI Tax Tips: Helpful Shortcut or Costly Trap?
As a business owner or investor, time is always tight. So it’s no surprise many people now turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for quick answers on tax deductions, super contributions or structuring ideas. The responses sound confident, arrive instantly and cost nothing. What could go wrong? Plenty. The Australian tax and super system is […]
Electric Car Discounts Under Review: What It Means for Your Business (and What You Should Do Now)
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice. By late 2025, they account for more than 8% of new car sales in Australia, driven in no small part by generous tax incentives. One of the most significant is the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount, introduced in mid-2022. For many businesses and employees, it has […]
Holiday Homes Under the Microscope: What the ATO’s New Guidance Means for You
For many Australians, a holiday home does double duty. It’s a place to escape with family and friends, and during the rest of the year it’s listed on Airbnb or Stayz to help cover the costs. Until recently, many owners assumed they could claim most of the usual deductions for the property without much trouble, […]
Unlocking Tax Savings: Can Your MBA (or Other Studies) Pay Off at Tax Time?
If you’ve invested in further study — an MBA, a leadership course, or a postgraduate qualification — you might be wondering: can this help at tax time? For many professionals, the answer is yes — but only if the right boxes are ticked. The ATO’s rules on selfeducation expenses are strict, and the line between […]
Super on Payday: Fundamental Changes for Employers
If you run a business, you already know the juggling act that comes with managing the payroll process — paying staff on time, managing cash flow, and staying compliant. From 1 July 2026, there’s a major change coming that will reshape how you handle superannuation contributions for staff. It’s called Payday Super, and it […]
