Tax Planning for Investors or Retirees

Can I deduct the cost of travelling to see my tax agent?

18 October 2021

A taxpayer can claim a deduction for the cost of travel to obtain tax advice. This travel includes:  Using a taxpayer's vehicle to visit their accountant's office. This can be calculated on a cents per km basis. Out of pocket transport costs incurred, such as airfare or taxi fare. Accommodation and meals incurred visiting their tax agent. (This…

Structured settlement contributions

17 August 2021

Structured settlement contributions are payments an individual has received and contributed into their super fund. Structured settlement payment is a payment arising from a personal injury claim where two legally qualified medical practitioners have certified that it is unlikely the individual can ever be gainfully employed in a capacity for which they are reasonably qualified or trained.…

Maximising the $1.6m Pension Cap

17 December 2019

From 1st July 2017, the amount of capital that a member can have in the tax-free retirement (pension phase), is limited to $1.6 million. This means the pension earnings exemption only applies on $1.6 million of the member’s superannuation balance, and the earnings on the excess superannuation balance is subject to the normal 15% tax.…

Can a Racehorse Beat the ATO?

14 October 2019

The first tax issue to consider with owning a racehorse is whether you are operating as a hobby or a business. Generally, it is difficult to demonstrate to the ATO that you have a racing business unless it is associated with breeding or training activities and is of significant scale. The tax benefits of owning…

Tax Savings Strategy 221 | Bitcoin

16 April 2019

Bitcoin was created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto as the world’s first cryptocurrency and is the biggest. Currently there are 669 cryptocurrencies in the world. Bitcoins are a digital currency so can be used to buy things electronically (and in that sense are similar to conventional currency). However, Bitcoins most important characteristic is that it…

Tax Savings Strategy 217 | 60% CGT Discount for Affordable Housing Investments

22 January 2019

From 1st January 2018, a 60% CGT discount applies for Australian resident individual’s investing in qualifying affordable housing. This also applies if the individual invests via a managed investment trust. The conditions to access the 60% discount are: The housing must be provided to low to moderate income tenants.  Rent must be charged at a…

Similar posts you may like

"You’d be stupid not to try to cut your tax bill and those that don’t are stupid in business"

- Bono: U2