Viewing entries in
Investment

How high will interest rates go?

How high will interest rates go?

Low interest rates have been a mainstay since the global financial crisis of 2008. When the pandemic hit, Governments pushed stimulus measures through the economy and central banks reduced interest rates even further. Coming out of COVID, housing market demand was strong and prices boomed but at the same time, supply chains remained restricted and the problems amplified by geo-political tensions increasing input costs

Federal Budget 2020 - What you need to know

Federal Budget 2020 - What you need to know

On 6 October 2020 Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the Federal Budget for the 2020-2021 income year.

It is fair to say it will be remembered as Australia’s biggest spending budget with a forecast deficit of $214 billion for the 2021 fiscal year.

LMP update - we are still here for you

LMP update - we are still here for you

Due to Stage 4 restrictions, we will all be working from home as of tomorrow - Thursday 6 August 2020.

Please rest assured we can still be contacted on our normal office number and email addresses. If you are unsure of who to email please email info@lmp.com.au or contact your regular team member.

The Stimulus Package: What You Need To Know

The Stimulus Package: What You Need To Know

The Government has announced a $17.6 billion investment package to support the economy as we brace for the impact of the coronavirus.

The yet to be legislated four part package focuses on business investment, sustaining employers and driving cash into the economy.

Calculating Super Guarantee: The new rules

Calculating Super Guarantee: The new rules

From 1 July 2020, new rules will come into effect to ensure that an employee’s salary sacrifice contributions cannot be used to reduce the amount of superannuation guarantee (SG) paid by the employer.

Rental property expenses - what you can and can't claim

Rental property expenses - what you can and can't claim

It’s not uncommon for landlords to be confused about what they can and can’t claim for their rental properties. What often seems to make perfect sense in the real world does not always make sense for the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Are all your SMSF eggs in one basket?

Are all your SMSF eggs in one basket?

The investment strategies of Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) are under scrutiny with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) contacting 17,700 trustees about a lack of asset diversity.

ATO take the 'gloves off' on overseas income

ATO take the 'gloves off' on overseas income

Five years ago, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) offered a penalty amnesty on undisclosed foreign income. Five years on, the ATO has again flagged that underreporting of foreign income is an issue but this time the gloves are off.

Confusion over personal income tax changes – what are you really entitled to?

Confusion over personal income tax changes – what are you really entitled to?

The recent income tax cuts that passed through Parliament do not mean everyone automatically gets $1,080 back from the Government as soon as they lodge their income tax return. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has been inundated with calls from taxpayers wanting to know where their money is and how they can access the $1,080 they now believe is owing to them.

Are you ready for the end of financial year?

Are you ready for the end of financial year?

The end of financial year is upon us again (yep sneaks up doesn’t it!). Are you ready? Have you considered what you can do to maximise your opportunities at this time of the year? There are many ways to take advantage of tax planning initiatives to manage taxable income.

ATO doubles rental deduction audits

ATO doubles rental deduction audits

In the 2017-18 financial year, more than 2.2 million Australians claimed over $47 billon in deductions and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) thinks that is too much - one in ten is estimated to contain errors.

A Labor Government on Tax & Super

A Labor Government on Tax & Super

In general, taxpayers are able to deduct from their assessible income any expenses they incur generating or producing that income. An investment is negatively geared when the cost of owning the asset is more than the return. Negative gearing is not limited to property but can apply to other assets such as shares.

What do you do if you've been hacked, breached or scammed

What do you do if you've been hacked, breached or scammed

The latest data breach report from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is surprising for the simplicity of the problems - 37% of data beaches resulted from human error not malicious attack. In over 20% of reported cases, personal information was simply sent to the wrong recipient. Another 6% of complaints were attributed to system faults.

Travelling to and from your investment property

Travelling to and from your investment property

From 1 July 2017, new rules came into effect that prevent taxpayers claiming a deduction for expenses they incur travelling to and from their residential investment property.

Why women need to think about working with a financial planner

Why women need to think about working with a financial planner

Why is it that many women choose not to seek more professional financial advice?

In general, women have a longer life expectancy than men, living on average 6 years longer, so there is a high chance of women outliving a partner. This means that for many women, their superannuation will have to stretch further.