The pension loans scheme
To help pensioners who are asset rich but income poor, the government launched a version of a commercially available financial product, the reverse mortgage. The government’s answer is its pension loans scheme (PLS), whereby a pensioner can apply for a non-taxable loan using some form of real property as security. The PLS does not provide a lump sum, but a regular fortnightly payment.
The special place for family trusts
Trusts can be a very handy tool for managing one’s financial affairs, as well as estate planning. A trust is established whenever there is a separation of the legal ownership (for example, the name appearing on a business register or land title) from the beneficial owner of an asset (in other words, the person that a court would deem to be the true owner).
A commonly forgotten tax deduction: Association fees
A commonly forgotten tax deduction is for subscription or membership fees to an association or union, which affects many professionals, business or trades people who will probably be members of some sort of association. See taxation ruling TR 2000/7.
EOFY checklist for employment-related tax deductions
This checklist contains a general list of general and specific employment-related deductions and should be used as a guide only. The results may vary depending on individual circumstances. The individual should also have the relevant written evidence where required. Also, how much of the expense is allowable as a tax deduction will depend on the extent the expenses are incurred in earning the person’s assessable income.
Builders: Get your taxable payments report ready before August 28
Businesses in the building and construction industry, take note – the deadline is August 28, 2018 to report the total payments you made to each contractor you enlisted the services of in 2017-18. You will need to report these payments to the ATO on the Taxable payments annual report.
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The proportioning rule and your SMSF: It’s all about balance
When calculating a super benefit, it is necessary to identify and determine the value of the various components that make up the benefit. The law around superannuation dictates that the tax-free component and taxable components of a member’s payment must be paid in the same proportion as the tax-free and taxable components of the member’s interest. This requirement is known as the proportioning rule.
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