Guides for Australian business owners and families

These guides answer the questions our clients ask most, in plain English, with worked examples and the official sources. They are general information, not advice for your situation. If you want to know what a rule means for you, book a free strategy call.

The 30 June 2027 tax changes

• 30 June 2027 tax changes: what's law, what's proposed and what to do

  The 30 June 2027 tax changes explained: what is already law, what is still a Bill, the timeline, who is affected and the three choices to make before then.

• CGT discount changes 2027: how indexation replaces the 50% discount

  CGT discount changes 2027: how indexation replaces the 50% discount for growth after 1 July 2027, the valuation snapshot, and a worked example with numbers.

• Pre-CGT assets and the 2027 changes: what ends, what stays tax-free

  Pre-CGT assets 2027 changes explained: growth to 1 July 2027 stays tax-free, the market value cost base reset, the K6 75% test for companies and trusts.

• The 30% minimum tax on capital gains: who it hits and how to plan for it

  The 30% minimum tax on capital gains from 1 July 2027: who pays it, the pensioner exemption, how it's worked out, gifts that reduce it, and how to plan a sale.

• Negative gearing changes: what's grandfathered, what's quarantined and why new builds win

  Negative gearing changes explained: who keeps it, how losses on established homes bought after 12 May 2026 are quarantined from 1 July 2027, and new builds.

• Discretionary trust tax changes: the proposed 30% minimum tax from 2028

  Discretionary trust minimum tax: the proposed 30% tax on trusts from 1 July 2028 is a Bill, not law. What it would do, the rollover window and what to do now.

• Your 30 June 2027 checklist: what to gather, what to ask, what to do

  A printable 30 June 2027 checklist: what to gather, questions to ask yourself, and how to sort each asset into urgent, snapshot only or hold before the changes.

• Tax and asset protection strategies before 30 June 2027: all 41, in plain English

  41 tax and asset protection strategies before 30 June 2027, in plain English and grouped by threat, with who acts on each: accountant, solicitor or adviser.

Asset protection, trusts and structures

• Asset protection strategies in Australia: what works, what doesn't, and why timing matters

  Asset protection strategies for Australians: the five threats, the tools that work, the structures we use, worked examples and the mistakes courts unwind.

• Family trust explained: how it works, what it costs and who it suits

  Family trust explained in plain English: who controls it, how distributions are taxed, section 100A, family trust elections, the proposed 2028 tax and costs.

• Bucket company: how it works, what it really saves, and when it doesn't help

  Bucket company explained: how it caps trust tax, Division 7A, unpaid entitlements after Bendel, worked numbers and the proposed 2028 trust changes.

• Sole trader vs company vs trust: which structure suits your business?

  Sole trader vs company vs trust: a side-by-side comparison of tax rates, asset protection, costs and paperwork, with worked numbers and when to switch.

• Unit trusts explained: how they work and when they beat a family trust

  Unit trust explained: how it works, unit trust vs discretionary trust, investing with unrelated partners, CGT event E4 and the land tax traps to avoid.

• How to protect your family home from creditors

  How to protect your family home from creditors in Australia: safe spouse ownership, trusts, super, the main residence trade-off and the clawback timeline.

• Family trusts and divorce: what happens to trust assets when you separate

  Family trust and divorce: when trust assets count in a property settlement, why control matters most, the 2026 Caldwell case, BFAs and loans from parents.

• Trust distribution resolutions by 30 June, and how to stay clear of section 100A

  Trust distribution resolutions by 30 June: what they must say, capital gains by 31 August, section 100A, TR 2022/4 risk zones and the records to keep.

Estate planning and family trusts

• Special disability trusts: how they work and how to set one up properly

  Special disability trust explained: who runs it, the model deed, pros and cons, how it sits beside the NDIS and DSP, and the right order to set one up.

• Special disability trust eligibility, and what the trust can pay for

  Special disability trust eligibility: the three tests for adults, the rules for children, who can contribute, what the trust can pay for and the $15,250 cap.

• Special disability trust gifting concession, Centrelink and tax

  The special disability trust gifting concession, the $862,750 asset limit, what happens to a parent's Age Pension, s95AB tax, CGT and stamp duty, with examples.

• Child maintenance trusts: funding your children's costs at adult tax rates

  Child maintenance trusts explained: how separated parents fund children's costs from income taxed at adult rates, the conditions, the costs and the steps.

• Testamentary trusts: what they do, how they're taxed and how to set one up

  Testamentary trusts explained: adult tax rates for children, protection for an inheritance, how to set one up in your will, and what the 2027 changes mean.

• Estate planning checklist for Australians: what to put in place and what to check

  A practical estate planning checklist for Australia: wills, enduring powers of attorney, super nominations, trust control, NSW notional estate and executors.

Business tax and payroll

• Small business tax deductions: what you can claim in 2026–27, and how to prove it

  Small business tax deductions for 2026–27: what you can claim, the conditions and records for each, timing tricks that are legal, and the mistakes we see.

• Instant asset write-off: the $20,000 rules for 2026–27 and beyond

  Instant asset write-off for 2026–27: the $20,000 threshold is now permanent. Who's eligible, GST, cars, pooling, the 30 June timing rule and worked examples.

• BAS due dates for 2026–27: every date, and how to get more time

  BAS due dates for 2026–27 in one table: quarterly, monthly and tax agent lodgment program dates, weekend rules, and what happens if your BAS is late.

• Payday Super: the new rules for paying employee super from 1 July 2026

  Payday Super started 1 July 2026: super must reach the fund within 7 business days of payday. Deadlines, the new SG charge, worked dates and employer steps.

• When do I need to register for GST? Thresholds, timing and how to do it

  When do I need to register for GST? At $75,000 turnover, or day one for ride-share. How to measure turnover, 21-day deadline, voluntary pros and cons.

• FBT on cars and electric vehicles: how it's worked out, and when it's zero

  FBT on cars explained: statutory vs operating cost method, the EV FBT exemption, the end of PHEVs, novated leases, logbooks and proposed 2027 changes.

• Division 7A: taking money out of your company without a tax surprise

  Division 7A explained: when company money becomes a dividend, complying loans, the 8.77% benchmark rate for 2026–27, UPEs after Bendel, and fixes.

• Company tax rate in Australia: 25% or 30%, and how to know which applies

  Company tax rate in Australia for 2026–27: 25% for base rate entities, 30% for the rest. The passive income test, franking rate traps and worked examples.

• Payroll tax by state: 2026–27 rates, thresholds and how it works

  Payroll tax by state for 2026–27: thresholds and rates for every state and territory, what counts as wages, grouping, contractors and a worked example.

• Employee vs contractor: how to tell the difference in Australia

  Employee vs contractor in Australia: the Fair Work whole-of-relationship test, the ATO test, super for contractors, sham contracting and payroll tax.

Capital gains tax and property

• Small business CGT concessions: the conditions, the four concessions and the 2027 changes

  Small business CGT concessions in plain English: the basic conditions, all four concessions, a worked example, and how the 1 July 2027 CGT changes affect them.

• Tax on selling a business in Australia: what you'll pay and how to plan it

  Tax on selling a business in Australia: asset vs share sale, CGT and the 2027 changes, GST going concern, restraints, earn-outs, timing and an example.

• The main residence exemption: when your home is CGT-free, and when it isn't

  The main residence exemption explained: the 6-year rule, renting out your home, foreign residents, deceased estates, trust-owned homes and the 2027 CGT changes.

• Rental property tax deductions: what you can claim, when, and what changes in 2027

  Rental property tax deductions in Australia: what you can claim now, capital works, repairs vs improvements, interest, and the 2027 negative gearing changes.

• Property development tax: how subdivisions and developments are taxed in Australia

  Property development and subdivision tax in Australia: income or capital, one-off projects, GST and the margin scheme, structures and the 2027 changes.

• GST on property sales: when it applies and how to get it right

  GST on property sales in Australia: when it applies, going concerns, farmland, the margin scheme, GST at settlement withholding and contract clauses.

• Crypto tax in Australia: what's taxed, what isn't, and what changes in 2027

  Crypto tax in Australia explained: CGT events, personal use, staking, airdrops, DeFi, losses, the 2027 CGT changes and a records checklist.

• Tax residency when you move overseas from Australia

  Tax residency when moving overseas from Australia: the residency tests, CGT event I1 on leaving, your home and the main residence exemption, and super.

Dealing with the ATO

• ATO payment plans: how to set one up and keep it on track

  ATO payment plan guide: the $200,000 online limit, interest-free plans, GIC (no longer deductible), what happens if you default, and how to set one up.

• Overdue tax returns: how to catch up when you haven't lodged in years

  Overdue tax returns or haven't lodged in years? What the ATO actually does, the real penalty amounts for 2026–27, how to catch up and what to gather first.

• Director penalty notices: what they mean and what to do in the 21 days

  Got a director penalty notice? What lockdown vs non-lockdown means, your options within 21 days, the defences, Payday Super changes and how to prevent one.

• ATO audit: what to expect and how to handle it

  ATO audit: what to expect from the first letter to the outcome. Review vs audit, your rights, records, penalties and how to dispute the result.

• GIC remission requests: how to ask the ATO to cancel interest and penalties

  GIC remission request guide: when the ATO will cancel interest and penalties, what it weighs, how to lodge, and the outline of a request that gets a yes.

• ATO private rulings: when to get one and how the process works

  ATO private ruling guide: when it's worth applying, cost, timing, how binding it is, objection rights and how to write an application that gets an answer.

Choosing and working with an accountant

• How to choose an accountant for your small business

  How to choose an accountant for small business: what to check, 15 questions to ask, red flags, when a cheaper option is fine, and how AI-native firms differ.

• How much does an accountant cost in Australia?

  How much does an accountant cost in Australia? Hourly vs fixed vs subscription fees, what drives the price, what's usually extra, and real BPAG prices.

• Xero vs MYOB: an accountant's honest comparison

  Xero vs MYOB for Australian small business: an honest accountant's comparison of payroll, inventory, desktop history, add-ons, switching and when MYOB is fine.

• How to do a cash flow forecast (with a free template)

  How to do a cash flow forecast for an Australian small business: a 13-week template, the 3-way forecast, the assumptions that matter and a worked example.

Self-managed super

• Self managed super fund guide: how SMSFs work, who they suit and the rules

  Self managed super fund guide for 2026–27: what an SMSF is, who it suits, the rules that matter, and 20 plain-English guides from setup to wind-up.

• SMSF business real property: buying your business premises in super

  SMSF business real property explained: what qualifies, buying your business premises in super, leasing to your own business at market rent, and an example.

• Super contribution caps for 2026–27: concessional, non-concessional, carry-forward and the timing traps

  Super contribution caps for 2026–27: $32,500 concessional, $130,000 non-concessional, carry-forward, bring-forward, Division 293 and the timing traps.

• SMSF corporate trustee vs individual trustees: which is better, and how to switch

  SMSF corporate trustee vs individual trustees: penalties per trustee, succession, asset titles, ASIC costs for 2026–27, and the steps to switch your fund.

• Binding death benefit nominations in an SMSF: types, tax and the traps that void them

  Binding death benefit nomination for an SMSF: lapsing vs non-lapsing, who you can nominate, death benefit tax, the capacity trap and deed wording to check.

• Division 296 tax: the extra tax on super balances over $3 million, explained

  Division 296 tax is now law from 1 July 2026. How the extra 15% (and 10% over $10m) is calculated, the SMSF cost base election, key dates and what to plan.

• SMSF investment strategy: what the law requires and what a good one covers

  SMSF investment strategy explained: what the law requires, what to include, insurance, single-asset funds, when to review it, and why templates fail audits.

• NALI and NALE in an SMSF: how mates' rates turn into 45% tax

  NALI and NALE for SMSFs in plain English: what triggers 45% tax, general vs specific expenses, the 2x rule, LCR 2021/2, worked examples and how to avoid it.

• 13.22C unit trusts: how an SMSF co-invests in property with family

  13.22C unit trust guide: how an SMSF co-invests in property with family debt-free, the conditions, the 13.22D one-strike rule, four blueprints and 10 traps.

• SMSF in-house asset rules: related parties, the 5% limit and the exceptions

  SMSF in-house asset rules explained: who is a related party, the 5% limit, what counts and what's excluded, buying assets from related parties, and fixes.

• How to set up an SMSF: the steps, in the right order

  How to set up an SMSF step by step: trustee choice, trust deed, ABN and TFN, ESA, bank account, rollover and investment strategy, with a realistic timeline.

• Six member SMSFs: pooling family super, and what it really costs in control

  Six member SMSF guide: when adding adult children makes sense, family business premises, control and voting, death benefits, trustee rules and risks.

• SMSF annual return due date: every lodgement date and deadline that matters

  SMSF annual return due dates for 2025–26 returns, new fund dates, auditor appointment deadlines, the full SMSF calendar, and the penalties for lodging late.

• SMSF audit: what the auditor checks, what gets reported, and how to prepare

  SMSF audit explained: what the independent auditor checks, the contraventions they must report to the ATO, audit deadlines, and a checklist to pass cleanly.

• SMSF borrowing: how LRBAs work, and what changed on 10 August 2026

  SMSF borrowing and LRBAs explained: how the bare trust works, the 10 August 2026 business real property rule, grandfathering, and related-party loan terms.

• SMSF costs: what you'll pay to set up, run and close a fund

  SMSF costs explained: setup, accounting, audit, the ATO levy and ASIC fees, what's optional, what's deductible, and how your balance changes the maths.

• SMSF succession planning: incapacity, enduring powers of attorney and what happens when a member dies

  SMSF succession planning: how an enduring power of attorney lets someone act as trustee, why a corporate trustee helps, and what happens when a member dies.

• SMSF pension rules: starting one, minimum drawdowns, the transfer balance cap and tax

  SMSF pension rules for 2026–27: minimum drawdowns by age, the $2.1m transfer balance cap, TBAR deadlines, tax-free pension income and mistakes to avoid.

• SMSF property: what your super fund can buy, and the rules that come with it

  SMSF property rules in plain English: residential vs commercial, related parties, renovations, tax, and the 10 August 2026 borrowing change explained.

• SMSF vs industry fund: an honest comparison, including when an SMSF is the worse choice

  SMSF vs industry fund, compared honestly: running costs at different balances, control, insurance, protections you lose, and when an SMSF is the worse choice.

• How to wind up an SMSF: the steps, in order, and what to watch

  How to wind up an SMSF step by step: trustee decision, selling assets, rolling over benefits, final audit and return, and the mistakes that delay closure.

Articles

• Bookkeeping for construction business: stop bleeding profit per job

  Bookkeeping for construction business done right: real-time job costing, retentions tracked, TPAR-ready and cash flow forecasting. Generic doesn't cut it.

• Proactive accountant: 7 signs your business needs one

  A proactive accountant works in your books weekly and plans your tax position ahead — not after the year closes. Seven signs your business needs one now.

• EOFY tax tips small business owners can actually use

  EOFY tax tips small business owners can actually use, in any year. A calm, evergreen playbook from BPAG. Swap last-minute panic for proactive tax planning.

• What is a fractional CFO? (And do you actually need one?)

  What a fractional CFO actually does, what one costs in Australia, and three honest questions to tell you if your business is ready for the role — or not yet.