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Depending on whether your finances are straightforward or more complex, you may choose to do your tax return yourself or engage a professional. If you have multiple sources of income, various investments, possibly your own business or have lots of deductible work-related expenses, using an accountant (who’ll need to be a registered tax agent1) to...Read More

Depending on the situation, you might get some of your ex-partner’s super, or they may get some of yours. A divorce from your husband or wife, or a separation from your de facto, could mean a division of your assets and debts, whether they’re held separately or together, and superannuation is no exception. Another thing...Read More

Driven by falling markets in Sydney and Melbourne, national house prices fell 0.1% in May, according to figures from property analytics group Core Logic. For the year from 31 May 2017 to 31 May 2018, prices were down 0.4% marking the first annual fall since October 20121. But AMP Capital’s Head of Investment Strategy and...Read More

With the ATO keeping a close eye on deductions, make sure you’re across what you can and can’t claim. If you’re claiming back some of the money you’ve spent as part of your job this year, it’s a good idea to ensure you’ve kept the appropriate records that may be required ahead of lodging your...Read More

Cold weather and faulty appliances can be a dangerous combination in winter - especially if your home is underinsured. As we head into winter, now is the time to check your home heating appliances – and your home and contents cover. The cooler months typically see an uptick in home insurance claims with a rise...Read More

The end of the financial year will likely bring the usual wave of scams. Here's what to look for. The Federal Budget is behind us, and amid the celebrations over tax cuts (around $500 annually for low to middle income earners if proposals are legislated), now is the time to be mindful of scammers pretending...Read More

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison handed down his third Federal Budget. Among the proposed changes, he announced tax cuts and changes to super and social security. Read on for a round-up of the proposals put forward and a look at how they might affect your household expenses and financial future, whatever your stage of life. Remember,...Read More

When it comes to housing affordability, our capital cities haven’t fared well. There are 28 ‘severely unaffordable’ major housing markets that exist internationally1—and of those, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth all rank among the top 212. These are the findings from the 2018 Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, which assesses housing markets across nine countries...Read More

While approximately 1.3 million Aussies run their own show, one in five has no superannuation at all. Many Australians see self-employment as a goal worth aiming for. But running your own show can mean retiring with very little in super savings – one in five self-employed people have no super at all compared to just...Read More

Changes aimed at improving housing affordability have passed through parliament. See what the new rules could mean for you. Government proposals around improving housing affordability in Australia were passed through parliament on 7 December 2017. As part of the changes, first-home buyers will be given a tax concession through the ability to save for a...Read More