Property taxes continue to growth despite weak housing market conditions in 2011/12 financial year

tax

Property related taxes have remained the largest source of revenue for state and local governments and despite weaker market conditions over the 2011/12 financial year, property related taxes rose to new highs.

[Read more...]

Latest SMSF changes – what they mean to property investors [video]

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Tony Negline from Financial and Technical Solutions joins Peter Switzer to discuss the  potential impact of the recently announced superannuation (SMSF) changes impact  and what they might mean to property investors in this insightful video [Read more...]

Would you divorce to avoid property taxes?

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No one I know likes to pay more tax than they have to.  I know many property investors who begrudge their property taxes and I’ve heard of some pretty “interesting” tax dodges, but would you really divorce just to avoid paying tax?

Obviously some people would.. [Read more...]

6 common mistakes made when buying an investment property in an SMSF

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More and more investors, and particularly Baby Boomers, are using their Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) as a vehicle to buy an investment property.

So I’d like to share some of the most common mistakes I see people making so you can avoid them.

[Read more...]

What will happen to property investment when superannuation balances boom?

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With superannuation set to boom, how will this affect us and our property investments?

The Australian superannuation system is something of a marvel in many respects. Of course, as I’ve mentioned many times, the system has a great many flaws. [Read more...]

The 10 SMSF rules that need urgent reform

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Amid increasing pressure on trustees of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) to keep pace with the steady stream of quiet pronouncements from the ATO, we turn the spotlight on some overlooked SMSF guidelines in need of urgent reform in 2013. [Read more...]

Negative gearing ban would have far from positive repercussions

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Treasurer Wayne Swan has a tough road ahead. With Labor promising to deliver a balanced budget, he must find more tax revenue and fast.

Historically, when the federal government is in this type of predicament, they look for a way to rob Peter, pay Paul and attempt popularity damage control by targeting money making tax reform to small groups of tax payers – generally the wealthier ones.

So it comes as no surprise that many political commentators are suggesting the two areas on their hit list will soon be property investment portfolios and self managed super funds. [Read more...]

Maximising returns on your property portfolio – a simple deduction

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Knowing what tax deductions you’re entitled to claim is key to maximising your return on investment – but that’s only half the battle…

We have all heard the old saying about death and taxes being the only two certainties in life. This may not be the case when you take superannuation into account but that is for another article. Having said that, you should claim all legitimate property deductions, so as to maximise the return on your investment. [Read more...]

Why you can’t save your way to wealth

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 One of the reasons I advocate getting involved in property investment is that the rates of income tax in Australia are high, which makes it very difficult to become wealthy from a salary alone.
Let me explain…

How property investors can ease the pain of a tax audit

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It’s winter, and most of us are not at maximum enthusiasm. On top of this it’s tax season. To make matters worse you have received a letter from the ATO advising they will be conducting an audit of your tax affairs.

For many this is a daunting task and dare I say it; even a visit to the dentist is looking better. With an increasing number of ATO audits it is imperative that as a property investor we prepare ourselves for an easy passage that can be achieved by following a few simple steps. [Read more...]