The federal government announced in the 2026–27 Budget a new tax offset called the Working Australians Tax Offset, or WATO. It will be a permanent annual tax offset of up to $250 for Australians who earn an income from their job.
Tax Rebates
Tax Advice: 2026 Tax Return | Increase Your Tax Refund | Tax Deductions | Medicare and Health Insurance | Tax Rebates
ATO Late Lodgement Penalty: What Happens If Your Tax Return Is Late?
Missed the tax return deadline? The best step is usually to lodge your overdue tax return as soon as possible. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) may apply a failure to lodge on time penalty if you miss your due date. You may also face interest if your late return results in unpaid tax. The longer […]
The $1000 Instant Tax Deduction: What It Really Means for Your Tax Refund
Sometimes called the ‘$1000 automatic tax deduction’, this new $1000 Instant Tax Deduction is coming in 2027. Here’s the short version: First mentioned in the lead-up to the April 2025 federal election, the Government announced a “$1000 instant tax deduction” and also confirmed it in their 2026 Federal Budget in May. NEW 2026 Budget Update: […]
Stage 3 Tax Cuts explained – what do they mean for you?
Stage 3 Tax Cuts in a snapshot Stage 3 tax cuts were adjusted from 1 July 2024, aiming to give a bit of a tax break to lower and middle income earners, compared to earlier tax changes that favoured workers already enjoying large salaries. Compared to the original tax cuts, the new changes help low […]
What is negative gearing? How it works and whether it’s right for you
Negative gearing happens when an investment property costs more to own and run than it earns in rent. As the investor, you cover the gap between what the property costs and what it earns. The shortfall isn’t always easy to cover, but the tax benefits make negative gearing an attractive strategy for many Australian investors. […]
Tax deductions for IT professionals – what you can claim
There’s no denying it, IT professionals are the unseen frontline heroes of a business. Whether you’re a developer, a support guru or a security ninja, it’s never an easy job to keep services and people working, 24/7. What is surprising is the number of available tax deductions for IT professionals. So, let’s get our IT […]
Paying GST at Settlement: What you need to know
What is GST Withholding If you buy a new residential property, or land with the intention to build a residential property and you make this purchase from a GST registered business, you need to withhold an amount for GST to pay directly to the ATO on settlement. When does the GST Residential Withholding payment apply […]
The Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO) is Over – What Does it Mean for You?
We all enjoy an extra boost in our tax refund. Most recently, the low and middle income tax offset (LMITO) has helped boost refunds for millions of Aussie workers. The government introduced LMITO in the 2018-19 tax year and increased in value in 2021-22 with an additional “cost of living tax offset”. Unfortunately, the end […]
Salary Sacrifice and Tax: The Basics
Salary sacrifice arrangements, also known as salary packaging, can be a smart way to get ahead, but it can also get confusing. Essentially, salary sacrificing means you use a portion of your pre-tax income in exchange for certain benefits or items. And, as you use your pre-tax income, you pay less tax overall. Many employers […]
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
Whether you receive fringe benefits as part of your employment contract or a salary sacrifice package, it’s important to understand how fringe benefits tax affects your tax return. Your employer must pay any tax applied to the fringe benefits you receive, but you will also need to report them on your tax return. What are […]
Claim tax deductions to get a better tax refund
If you’re not sure how to claim tax deductions or what you’re actually allowed to claim, you’re not alone! The most common things our clients ask us is, “exactly what tax deductions can I claim on my tax return?” When you claim tax deductions the right way, you get more cash back in your pocket at […]
