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
The use of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF) has skyrocketed over the past decade. Among the many reasons for this increase is the ability to purchase residential property in your SMSF with borrowings – debt via what’s called a Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement, or LRBA. In essence, the LRBA structure allows an SMSF to borrow and…
Capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax that is levied on the sale of certain assets, including real estate, shares, and other investments purchased with the intention to keep as opposed to buying with the intention to sell for a profit. In Australia, CGT is generally paid on the profit made from the sale of…
When you set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) you need to understand what it is, and also what it isn’t. Firstly, an SMSF is a trust and, like all trusts, it’s not a legal entity. Therefore the fund needs a trustee who makes decisions, opens up bank accounts, completes the tax return, and so…
Why is it important to understand the difference between a repair and an improvement to your investment property? The property investor is often grappling with whether an expense is a repair or an improvement. This is critical because a repair can be written off immediately whereas an improvement must be written off over a longer…
The difference between repairs and improvements can be confusing for property investors. I mean… what is a repair? When does a repair become an improvement? And how do you know what’s tax-deductible and what isn’t? Fortunately, the Australian Tax Office sheds some light on these questions. What is a repair? A repair replaces a part…
As an Australian property investor, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to boost your returns and trim your tax bill. Well, here’s the thing: understanding investment property depreciation could be your secret weapon. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of rental property depreciation schedules, helping you confidently navigate the…
I’ve always believed that the start of every year is the ideal time to consider your wealth creation goals. So, why don’t you ask yourself this question: Will this be like most other years where good intentions are forgotten or put aside because of the pressures of everyday life? As the saying goes: Why put…
Low supply, strong demand and high interest rates mean that it is harder than ever for Australians to buy property in the current market. High property prices mean many buyers, particularly first-home buyers, need a six-figure deposit at a time when their borrowing capacity is at an all-time low. And even for investors, the low…
What happens to your loans and debts when you die? It’s probably not something you’ve given much thought to, but understanding the way debt works after we pass on is important for all investors to consider, so as to ensure that our loved ones are financially taken care of – and not burdened – afterwards….
While it’s always advisable to have a will, not every will is created equally. Amateur wills are generally not worth the paper you’ve written them on, so you should always use a lawyer who specialises in the preparation of wills. Fundamentally, the transfer of assets held in your name (which are also called estate assets)…
