Khader Hasan 
The Australian Taxation Office has responded to feedback from trustees and their advisors by issuing guidance on trust reimbursement agreements. The guidance, which relates to reimbursement agreements where section 100A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 may apply, will not affect “the vast majority of small businesses operating through a trust”, according to the … Read more
The job market has improved from an employer’s perspective, but it’s still challenging to find good staff, based on the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. In December, the unemployment rate was just 3.5%, the same as the previous month, although the number of unemployed workers edged up slightly, from 492,600 to 494,200. … Read more
With property prices declining in many parts of the country, and many people’s borrowing capacity falling as well, this is a different market than we’ve seen in many years. So here are some important tips around buying, selling and securing finance right now. Buyers Buyers are usually the big winners in falling markets, because they … Read more
For property investors, 2022 was one for the history books. To begin with, capital city rents increased by 14.6% for houses and 17.6% for units, according to Domain – both of which were records. Furthermore, the year ended with an unprecedented seventh consecutive quarter of house rent rises and sixth of unit rent hikes. “Just … Read more
New or used? It’s a question that almost all car buyers ask themselves at some point and there are arguments for each. Based on our experience, with the help of our network of car dealers and feedback from clients, we’ve put together this guide to help you make the right choice for you. New vs … Read more
As of 16 January 2023, first home buyers in New South Wales have the option to opt out of paying upfront stamp duty and instead pay an annual tax. The First Home Buyer Choice scheme was introduced by the NSW Government in a bid to help reduce the entry cost for buyers looking to get … Read more
This is the eighth month in a row we have said “The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has increased the cash rate”. In its final meeting for 2022, the bank increased the rate from 2.85% to 3.1% in its ongoing bid to cool rising inflation. This is 3% higher than the start of the year, … Read more
The Federal Government last night announced the 2022 Federal Budget with a big focus on counteracting the impacts of escalating costs of living and house prices. The schemes announced are targeted at helping Australians with the challenges of building up a house deposit through the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme and assisting with costs to households. … Read more
With property prices falling and interest rates rising, you might be wondering if now is a good time to buy an investment property. Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said there were six questions to ask yourself as part of the decision-making process. 1. Can you get a home loan? Your ability to qualify … Read more
Building a home with a seven-star energy-efficiency rating doesn’t have to be costly or complicated, according to an industry expert. As part of the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), new homes will need to achieve a seven-star rating, up from the current six stars, from 1 October 2023 in most states and territories. Simple … Read more
