COVID-19 has forced workplaces to adopt flexible work arrangements for staff. The problem is, employees might struggle to remain productive and happy once they’ve made the transition from the familiar structure of the office. Self-discipline is crucial when working at home. If you find it hard to stay on track, you’re going to have to […]
The Etax Blog: Tax Tips
Loyalty Tax – What is it and how to avoid paying it.
What is Loyalty Tax? Firstly, it’s important to note that Loyalty Tax has absolutely nothing to do with the ATO. Loyalty tax is a sneaky, underhanded way that companies extract money from all of us us. Fortunately, loyalty tax is avoidable. Some of the most well-known and trusted companies in Australia apply a loyalty tax […]
What are franked dividends and how do franking credits work?
Approximately one-third of Australians own shares held directly in their name. It’s really quite common, and many of them receive dividends on those shares. But when it comes to how dividends are taxed, it can suddenly seem very confusing. What are the tax benefits of fully franked dividends and franking credits? Think back to the […]
Worried about job security? Up-skill to protect yourself!
Up-skilling to protect your existing job seems tough, but in recent years it’s become the norm across many industries. Plenty of jobs that used to be common just don’t exist anymore. When was the last time you saw a milkman doing the rounds? (Or, have you ever seen a milkman?) The flipside is that change […]
How to save money – 3 money saving tips to ignite your savings
Not feeling the love for your savings account? With so many increases in the cost of living, many of us are feeling the pinch in our savings accounts. We regularly hear of people actually having to dip into their savings to make ends meet, or make purchases that just couldn’t be put off any longer. […]
Property investors: Is your investment property tax smart?
With the ATO cracking down on investment property expense claims, making sure you’re ‘tax smart’ and in control of your finances is more important than ever. How do you keep your investment property expenses, taxes and finances in order? And how do you keep the ATO out of your hair? It all starts with good […]
Unpaid Internships: The Experience Problem
If you’re studying or looking to change careers, you’ve probably encountered the ‘experience paradox’. Most job ads prefer that you have previous experience in the industry, but you can’t get that experience without a job in the first place. Enter: unpaid internships. They can give you the experience you need to flesh out your resume […]
Getting Married and Taxes: What you need to know for your next tax return
Marriage is an exciting and joyful time, but when it comes tax and your spouse, it’s also a source of confusion amongst taxpayers in Australia. At Etax, prospective newlyweds often ask us about the tax implications of getting married. Often, they want to know whether a joint tax return is needed when their relationship status […]
Heading overseas to Work? You need our Australian expat tax guide!
Traveling to work or study overseas is hugely exciting but when it comes to Australian expat tax obligations, there can be a bit of administration and paperwork that comes with the move. Read on to make your transition to working overseas easier! Australian residency and tax All Australian residents are required to lodge tax returns […]
APRA Super-fund or a Self-Manged Super Fund?
Choosing the Right Super Option for Your Unique Needs Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are growing in popularity and more Australians are using them to build their retirement funds. But what are SMSFs and, most importantly, are they worth it? We provide you a comparison between the two most popular options, self-managed and APRA-regulated funds, to […]
Saving Money: How to save a million dollars (really) – plus how to save money faster
How to be great at saving money It’s a comfort to know you can get your hands on some money quickly if you need it – without resorting to a loan from a bank, family or friends. It’s also a comfort to know you’ll be able to reach goals like buying a home and retiring comfortably. […]
How To Claim Tax Deductions Without Receipts
What deductions can I claim without receipts? Claiming expenses without a receipt can be risky, because the ATO is watching for false claims. But in some cases it’s okay to claim tax deductions without receipts! Let’s dig into this to ensure you maximise your refund AND avoid ATO troubles. Tax deductions are the best way […]
PAYG Payment Summary: “I Didn’t Get a PAYG This Year”
A lot of people are saying they didn’t get a PAYG summary/group certificate and are wondering what to do about it. Let’s clear this up… Do I need a PAYG to do my tax return? No, you don’t need a PAYG summary/group certificate if, like most Australians, you do your tax return with a tax agent […]
We’ve Made Your Tax Return Even Easier
Here at Etax, we know you have better things to do than your taxes, so we want to help you get them done FAST! We listened to your feedback – and we’ve given you just that – a way to do our tax return even faster! Use the ‘Any Other Questions’ section in our tax […]
The Top 5 Forgotten Tax Deductions
Now is a great time to discuss tax deductions – especially the ones too many people miss out on We surveyed our senior accountants and asked them: What are the top 5 forgotten deductions on individual tax returns? – that is, deductions people can claim, but often forget or don’t know about. We’ve compiled the […]