Investment Outlook: Picks for 2018
The Australian Equities market in 2017 can be best described as three distinct periods: 1) the Trump trade; 2) the Range trade; and 3) the Goldilocks trade. The Trump trade carried into the year the…
Taxing Bitcoin
Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are independent and not regulated by any central authority. Until recently, these digital currencies were not treated in the same way as cash for tax purposes in Australia. New legislation passed by…
Santa’s Tax Crises
A light-hearted look at the complexity of Australian taxation laws. Dear Santa, Thank you for the opportunity to provide tax advice for your operation. We are pleased you have initiated this advice as the Australian…
Why ‘property flipping’ is the next ATO target
The tax law does not allow you to ‘flip’ a property tax-free even if you are living in it. Most people think that they can move in to a property, renovate it, and then sell…
Investment Outlook: A cure for short-termism
Global economic indicators suggest that the outlook for the world economy is improving, providing further support for growth asset performance, but valuations remain expensive across many asset classes and investors appear to be under appreciating…
New SMSF reporting requirements
The 1 July 2017 superannuation reforms introduced a new reporting regime for funds. Funds now need to advise the ATO of key events within the fund that impact on retirement income streams (pensions): When you…
Investment Outlook: Making the most of market conditions
The market’s sideways trading still accurately reflects an economy that has failed to break decisively out of its postmining slump. It will take some acceleration in business activity before investors are likely to see growth…
Director’s fees: what and how to pay them
The issue of Director’s fees often comes up – should we pay directors, how to pay, and if we do pay fees how should they be paid? We answer the common questions for private companies.…
Investment outlook: recalibrating expectations
The very modest gains in share prices at a time when other developed markets have generally been rising faster, reflect the difficulty the local economy has faced in breaking out of its post-mining slump. Although there are…
Investment Update: Corporate Reporting Season
The limelight turns to corporate performance and the resilience of earnings in the midst of rising energy costs, a subdued consumer and higher funding costs. The Australian economy continues to grow, but at below trend…
