Ken is director of Metropole Wealth Advisory and gives strategic expert advice to property investors, professionals and business owners. He is in a unique position to blend his skills of accounting, wealth advisory, property investing, financial planning and small business. View his articles
There’s an old saying that the easiest tax to sell is one that only applies to “wealthy people.” Most Australians won’t complain too loudly if Canberra says it is closing a loophole used by high-income families, business owners or investors. But history shows that when governments start tinkering with the rules around wealth, tax and…
Want to avoid the taxman rejecting your claim? Even worse, do you want to prevent the taxman from digging deeper and auditing your affairs? The Australian Taxation Office has a lot of information on its website to help property investors. Whether you use a tax agent or choose to lodge your tax return yourself, the…
Australia has never had a death tax. We’ve long prided ourselves on that, and many Australians have structured their estates carefully, knowing their wealth could pass to the next generation without the government taking a cut simply because they died. But buried in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ 2026-27 Budget are changes that estate planning lawyers and…
Many Australians still believe they’ll finish work with a mortgage-free home and enough super to live comfortably. But the reality is shifting rapidly, and it threatens to reshape how we think about both retirement and property investing. More of us are likely to be renting in retirement, still paying off mortgages, and having to use…
Asset protection seems to be a recurring topic with clients over the past few months. So let’s have a look at the top issue of asset protection that every property investor should consider: 1. Should I have a will? The answer is yes if you want to control who gets what and not leave it to…
If you’re a property developer, tax isn’t something you deal with at the end of the project. It’s something that quietly shapes your profit from day one. And this is where many smart developers still get caught out. The moment you buy property with the intention of developing and selling for profit, the ATO stops…
If you think investing in commercial property is just about collecting rent and watching your wealth grow, think again. There’s a whole world of tax rules, GST obligations, and new Victorian reforms that can trip you up if you’re not prepared. Get them right, and you’ll keep more money in your pocket. Get them wrong,…
Most property investors spend years focusing on buying well, holding quality assets and riding the long-term growth of the market. But surprisingly few give enough thought to how they’ll eventually exit, and more importantly, how much of their hard-earned capital growth they’ll actually keep. That’s where the 50% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount comes in….
What if one of the greatest gifts you could leave your grandchildren wasn’t just money, but opportunity, security, and the freedom to make wiser choices throughout their lives? And what if you could pass on that wealth in a way that strengthens family harmony, protects vulnerable beneficiaries, avoids unnecessary tax, and preserves your intentions long…
Every business owner I’ve met has poured heart and soul into analysing market risks, competitors, and the unknowns that could derail success. But here’s the catch: while most entrepreneurs obsess over external threats, they often neglect one of the most critical success factors – how their business is structured. And that oversight can cost them…
