Big changes are coming to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card from 20 March 2026, and a rise in deeming rates could tip some self funded retirees over the income limits even if their investments are not earning more. If you are close to the thresholds, a small technical adjustment could mean losing valuable health concessions, making now the time to check where you stand.

The ATO has released new draft guidance tightening the tax rules for holiday homes, meaning many owners may no longer be able to claim deductions for holding costs like mortgage interest, rates and insurance unless the property is mainly used to produce rental income. While the change may seem technical, it signals closer scrutiny of whether holiday homes are genuinely available for rent, particularly during peak periods.

The permanent incapacity condition of release from super exists to provide financial support when it’s needed most. If you are totally and permanently disabled, superannuation is not locked away indefinitely and can be accessed to help you manage life after work. Whether or not insurance is involved, understanding your options can ease financial stress and give you more control during a difficult time. If you think you may qualify, speak to us to help guide you through your n

Buying a new home before selling your old one can raise tricky capital gains tax issues, but a key concession may allow both properties to be treated as CGT-exempt for up to six months. However, strict conditions apply, particularly if the old home was rented out, making it important to understand how the rules and related concessions work before making the move.

From potential new taxes on very large balances to “payday super” and higher contribution caps, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of significant changes for Australia’s superannuation system. While some updates will only affect a small group of people, others could influence how and when almost every Australian builds their retirement savings.

This piece is aimed at self-employed clients, so if you’re a salary earner or a retiree you can safely move on to the next item. For others, it goes without saying that at tax time you should disclose all your assessable income and only claim legitimate business deductions. Failure to do so exposes you to the risk of penalties and interest on top of the underpaid tax. And the chances of popping up on the ATO’s radar are not negligible.

In Australia, the law recognises that a will maker may sometimes fail to make adequate provision for close family or dependants. In that situation, certain people can ask the Supreme Court for a share, or a larger share, of the deceased’s estate. This is usually called a family provision claim or a claim against a deceased estate. 

Most of us keep a close eye on our bank accounts. But superannuation can be easier to lose track of, especially if you’ve changed jobs, moved house, changed your name, or simply set up a new fund and assumed everything followed you. That’s why the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a timely reminder. There is now $18.9 billion in lost and unclaimed super sitting across Australia. That’s up $1.1 billion since 2024 and spread across just under 7.3 million accounts. 

There is much in the media about how the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount has contributed to the housing affordability problem in Australia (although no doubt the problem is a lot more complex than attributing it mainly to any taxation measure or measures). Nevertheless, the CGT discount looms large for anybody who owns assets that are subject to CGT (and note in this regard a passenger car of any sort – including a vintage car – is not subject to CGT). 

If your SMSF owns a beach house, country cottage or apartment that feels like the perfect Christmas getaway, this is your friendly end-of-year reminder: you and your family can’t use it over the Christmas and New Year period, not even “just for a week,” and not even if it’s sitting vacant. It’s one of the most common SMSF traps, and it can lead to serious penalties. Here’s why, in plain English.

For many older Australians, having wealth tied up in the family home can make day-to-day expenses challenging. The Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS) is a government-backed program that allows eligible seniors to unlock some of the value in their home without selling it.

In contrast to holiday homes, what happens where you use all or part of your home to produce assessable income? Well, there will be important capital gains tax (CGT) consequences – the most important of which is that you will be likely to lose some of your CGT exemption on the home.