Westpac Bank will increase variable interest rates for both residential owner occupied and investment loans, despite the RBA keeping the cash rate on hold for the past two years at 1.5%. The bank blames an increase in wholesale funding costs squeezing margins for the out-of-cycle hike.
Month: August 2018
Time Is Up For Dodgy Accountants%3$s>
By Pat Mannix
I absolutely love the way that the ATO has singled out the presence of about 500 dodgy tax agents amongst us in the Aussie tax community. How’s this for a recent quote by ATO assistant commissioner, Adam Kendrick, about these dodgy agents eating into market share of quality and well trained tax agents…
Superannuation Guarantee Amnesty Proposal%3$s>
A chance to catch up! If legislated, the Amnesty will provide a once-off opportunity for employers to disclose super guarantee (SG) shortfalls which occurred between 1 July 1992 and 31 March 2018 without penalty.
Discretionary Trusts: Still The Best?%3$s>
By Pat Mannix
There has been much conversation surrounding what the best structure for property investment is. Stop and consider what will work in favour of you.
Taxes On Property%3$s>
By Pat Mannix
There is one thing you must do before purchasing property. It’s not hard, but it will save you greatly in the future!
The Basics of Land Tax%3$s>
By Pat Mannix
When investing in property in Victoria, this is something you need to be aware of.
Economic Update August 2018%3$s>
An update on the Australian and global economic environment.
Role-Reversal: When Your Parents Are Relying On You%3$s>
In the later stages of life, many seniors want to stay independent for as long as possible, but there usually comes a time when they need more support. So how can you do more for your parents to keep them safe and comfortable, without taking away their sense of independence and dignity? Here are some practical tips to guide you through the process and minimise stress for everyone involved.
Retire On Your Own Terms%3$s>
Retirement should be the start of a new chapter in your life – perhaps the most exciting of all. The big question, of course, is how you pay for it without a regular pay cheque. A simple way to think about retirement income is by splitting your needs into two parts:
New Rules To Benefit Those Downsizing For Retirement%3$s>
Australians aged 65 and over who are downsizing for retirement can now contribute the proceeds from the sale of their main residence (up to $300,000) into super.
How To Spend More To Save%3$s>
The old saying “penny wise, pound foolish” couldn’t ring truer than in today’s throw-away world of overconsumption and excessive production of disposable items.
Could Your Home Deposit Be Helped By Your Super?%3$s>
It’s no secret that saving for a house is tough. Raising the money for a deposit can seem to take forever, even if you’re consistent with your savings plan. Want some good news? There’s a new way to save, and it’s called the Government’s new First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS).