Last year in the first quarter of 2020, things became very hairy. As the markets started tumbling, we had no idea where they might go, or how heavy the falls would be. As it turns out, the falls were very heavy, but very brief. At the time, we wrote a lot of words and communicated with you on a regular basis. The idea is always to keep you in your seat with a long-term view that aligns with your goals and plan.

Over the last few weeks we’ve had confirmation of the changes to superannuation contribution caps. The release of the November 2020 Average Weekly Earnings data means we now know for sure that the concessional contributions cap will increase from $25,000 to $27,500 from 1 July 2021. This is a welcome change for many people, as the last time we saw concessional contribution caps above $25,000 was back in 2016/17.

Most of us are raised with the belief that more effort will bring its own rewards. In this instance, not having to do something twice becomes the reward. The message? Hard work is encouraged, laziness is discouraged, and laziness also becomes a penalty. There’s nothing wrong with believing this, except it’s not always universal. Occasionally the hard work mentality will encounter a vocation where a lack of action and hard work becomes beneficial.

Contracting has emerged as an alternative to the traditional employment relationship. However telling the difference between an employee and an independent contractor can be complex. There is no single rule that determines the question rather consideration is given to multi-factor tests.

For Many businesses, Jobkeeper has provided the financial support needed to navigate the turbulent world during Covid. As the Jobkeeper scheme comes to an end it is important to consider the assessability of the payments and how they may affect or impact your tax planning measures heading towards 30th June.

As we near the end of March 2021 and head towards 30th June, there are a number of key measures for businesses to consider particularly for entities where they use their Motor Vehicles for personal use. The provision of cars by employers to employees remains an issue that continues to create confusion for some business taxpayers.

International Women’s Day for this year fell on Monday 8 March 2021. We’ve put together a list of action items to spur people forward in their investment journey, and let’s face it, the list applies to everyone! There are two key practices that all women and men should learn as early as possible to help them map out a future financial plan.

Hearing someone being able to confidently state they have enough may provoke some envy, but it shouldn’t. Enough will always mean different things to different people. ‘Enough’ can be a mental luxury; the ability to assess what really matters. It’s being able to identify our needs, wants, motivations and any triggers that might derail our contentment.

At the end of 2017, Bitcoin was indisputably the hottest topic in the investment world. Christmas parties and family barbecues alike were filled with curiosity surrounding the rapid rise of cryptocurrencies. It truly felt like everyone else was making a fortune from an investment that didn’t seem well understood. Now, three years down the track, Bitcoin is once again back in vogue. Having quadrupled in value last year and comfortably eclipsing its 2017 heights, we ponder whether this is simply a case of déjà vu or if there is evidence to suggest that it might be different this time around?

The aim of the loss carry-back legislation is to provide temporary cashflow support to Australian companies that were in a tax-paying position prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but who now find themselves in a tax-loss position as a result of the pandemic and/or through obtaining accelerated deductions for depreciation under the new instant asset write-off measures.

It’s very tough to earn a dollar without risk and effort these days. While that’s always been the case for our labour, we’ve previously enjoyed the illusion of some free cream from our money in the bank. We may have even neglected the reality of tax and inflation eroding our savings, while there was still a certain risk free return. If an investor thought they were getting a good enough return, then they wouldn’t go out of their way to chase one. However, an RBA cash rate of 0.10% presents a whole new mind game for investors.

It’s that time of year and we know a lot of your New Year’s resolutions may include money. Saving more, spending less, increasing earnings - most of us include some form of financial health as one of our goals for the New Year. Getting started can be a daunting task, and many are intimidated to do so - but you don’t have to be a sophisticated investor to manage your finances well.

In media forecasts for 2020, a global pandemic and the worst recession since the 1930s weren’t high on everyone’s list of threats. But even had these events been foreseen, who would have tipped global equities to reach record highs a year later?

This week we thought we’d address that fast approaching date on the 25th of December with a tips list. If the festive season usually leaves you out of pocket and feeling like you spent more time and money battling the crowds than relaxing with friends and loved ones, why not simplify things this year?

The psychology around gifting isn’t so straightforward. It’s money, it’s family, and it’s real people with various influences. They may behave differently than we expect or hope.