One tax that does look a little daunting and still sparks confusion amongst Aussies, particularly at this time of the year, is the Capital Gains Tax (CGT). So, what is it?
June 30: Maximise your tax return...
FEDERAL BUDGET ALERT: Tax relief on its way
A Guide To Super Contributions
How to max your tax refund...
Tax Cuts Passed
2018 Federal Budget
Shortsighted Tax Proposals
What happens to your super when you die?
Alert: Residential Property Deductions
Mistakes To Mastery (Free eBook)
Life doesn’t revolve around money. Lots of other things - like family, friends, and health - can be much more important to you than your bank balance. But some personal goals are hard to achieve if you don’t have much money. That’s why the FPA have put together this handy guide to getting to grips with the do’s and don’ts of your finances...
STARTING A NEW BUSINESS?
ESTATE PLANNING: A cautionary tale...
2016/17 Review
The past financial year turned out far better for investors than had been feared a year ago. This was despite a lengthy list of things to worry about: starting with the Brexit vote and a messy election outcome in Australia both just before the financial year started; concerns about global growth, profits and deflation a year ago; Donald Trump being elected President in the US with some predicting a debilitating global trade war as a result; various elections across Europe feared to see populists gain power; the US Federal Reserve resuming interest rate hikes; North Korea stepping up its missile tests; China moving to put the brakes on its economy amidst ever present concern about its debt levels; and messy growth in Australia along with perennial fears of a property crash and banking crisis.
Predictions of some sort of global financial crisis in 2016 were all the rage. But the last financial year provided a classic reminder to investors to turn down the noise on all the events swirling around investment markets and associated predictions of disaster, and how, when the crowd is negative, things can surprise for the better. But will returns remain reasonable? After reviewing the returns of the last financial year, this note looks at the investment outlook for the 2017-18 financial year.
Federal Budget 2017: Snapshot
On Tuesday 9 May, the Federal Government handed down its Budget for the 2017–18 financial year.
According to Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, this year’s Budget is founded on the principles of fairness, security and opportunity. Mr Morrison claims that the government’s proposed measures will raise almost $21 billion in revenue over the next four years, returning Australia’s budget to surplus by 2021.
Here are some of the key Budget announcements. Note that each of these proposals will only become law if it is passed by Parliament...
Read Budget Summary Here (Colonial First State)
The July 1 Super Changes...
We're now only a few months away from sweeping changes to the superannuation and pension environment, but for most people, the impact of these changes will be either positive or neutral.
At the end of the day, super remains a very attractive place to save for retirement. So with all of the 'noise' surrounding the super changes coming on July 1st, its important to remember some basic super facts...
Fact 1: While you are building your super, pre-tax contributions and investment earnings will generally continue to be taxed at the low rate of up to 15%, not your marginal tax rate of up to 49%. That alone is a massive advantage in favour of super versus other forms of savings.
Fact 2: When you eventually retire, you can still transfer a generous amount into a superannuation pension, where no tax is paid on investment earnings - and payments are generally tax-free from age 60.
The major changes the are occurring from July 1st, primarily revolve around 'limits' - limits on how much you can contribute to super (pre or post tax), and limits on how much you can start a super pension with (i.e. $1.6 million each).
In addition, the 15% contributions tax will be doubled if your income is greater than $250,000 - this single rule change is an unpopular one, and might be a 'game changer' for some higher income earners.
Moving closer to July 1, there is some work to do, especially if you run your own self-managed super fund. Please, contact your financial adviser asap to see if any of the upcoming changes will impact you, and if so, find out what action you need to take, before it's simply too late.
Rick Maggi
WILL THE SUPER REFORMS HURT?
From 1 July 2017, a range of super reforms announced in the 2016 Federal Budget will take effect.
For most people, the impact of these changes will be positive or neutral.
Super remains a very attractive place to save for retirement. And there may be opportunities to grow your super and retire with more.
If your income is below $250,000 (for 2017/18), while you build up your super, pre-tax contributions and investment earnings will generally continue to be taxed at the low rate of up to a maximum of 15%, not your marginal tax rate of up to 49%.
Also, when you retire, you can still transfer a generous amount into a superannuation pension, where no tax is paid on investment earnings and payments are generally tax-free at age 60 and over.
Next steps...
Once you have read through this guide, you should consider making an appointment with your financial adviser. They can assess the impact the super reforms could have for you, as well as review your retirement savings plans and the strategies you are using.
Beyond that, as we head towards the end of another financial year, now is a great time to see if there is anything else you could be doing to tax-effectively build and protect your wealth.
If you don’t have an adviser, you call us (Westmount Financial) on 9382 8885 to arrange an appointment.
View a basic, 'at a glance' guide here.
Rick Maggi
Where are we now?
It’s now a decade since the first problems with US sub-prime mortgages started to appear and nearly eight years since share markets hit their global financial crisis lows. From those lows in 2009 lows US shares are up 239%, global shares are up 167% and Australian shares are up 80% (held back by relatively higher interest rates, the absence of money printing, the plunge in commodity prices from their 2011 highs and the high $A).
An obvious question is how close the next downturn is, which ultimately relates to where we are in the investment cycle.
The US Presidential Election
The attached note looks at the US Presidential and congressional elections that are looming large, especially now that the polls between Donald Trump and Hillary clinton are neck and neck.
Super: Further Clarification
The Federal Government has provided further clarity on how the proposed 'bring forward' and $1.6 million eligibility threshold will work with regard to superannuation. The details can be found here - all very interesting, but if you would prefer a plain-english explanation, please call me personally.
Rick Maggi