Whaling and spear phishing and bank change notice scams. Are you protected?

Whaling and spear phishing and bank change notice scams. Are you protected?

In a recent article that appeared in the itnews.com.au, financial scams have been brought squarely into the spotlight again.

It was reported that in South Australia, police have recently issued a warning to companies after a local business was scammed out of $1.5 million by offshore attackers masquerading as a supplier, having obtained sensitive business information through a targeted phishing campaign

Beware! If the ATO or the Sheriff calls you....it is probably a scam!

Beware! If the ATO or the Sheriff calls you....it is probably a scam!

It’s tax time…..and we all know what that means! Yes, it’s time to get the shoebox out, sort the receipts and get organised for your dreaded tax return.

But the start of a new financial year also tends to bring another issue altogether….scammers who are keen to cash in on peoples confusion and lack of time when it comes to filing their return.

Extension to SuperStream Deadline

Extension to SuperStream Deadline

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has given small businesses some breathing space by extending the deadline for compliance with the new SuperSteam to October 28 this year.

Foreign Resident Capital Gains Tax Withholding Payments

Foreign Resident Capital Gains Tax Withholding Payments

On 13 May 2013 the Federal government announced that it would introduce a 10% withholding tax on payments made to foreign residents who dispose of certain taxable Australian property. Do you know what this means and does it affect you?

The MyGov Portal and ATO Correspondence

The MyGov Portal and ATO Correspondence

Please be aware that if you have created a MyGov account and linked it to MyTax, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has advised that any assessments or other important information will be delivered to your MyGov inbox and not directly to us as it has been in the past.

Super Stream – will your business be compliant by 1 July?

Super Stream – will your business be compliant by 1 July?

SuperStream is a new initiative introduced by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) designed to standardise processing of superannuation data and payments electronically, allowing the process of employers paying superannuation entitlements to employees more streamlined.

The Long Ride 2016 - by Leigh Gesthuizen

The Long Ride 2016 - by Leigh Gesthuizen

In March we wrote about our friend and client Leigh Gesthuizen who was embarking on The Long Ride - a ride of more than 500kms raising much needed awareness and funds for the fight against Prostate Cancer. LMP are proud to support Leigh on this epic journey.

In this blog Leigh shares with us his experiences.

The Long Ride - LMP gets on board to support Leigh Gesthuizen

The Long Ride - LMP gets on board to support Leigh Gesthuizen

The Long Ride is more than 500kms and many days on the back of a motorcycle travelling with groups of other riders across the Australian countryside.

Why? It’s all in the name of raising much needed awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer. And, of course, doing something different, adventurous and fulfilling with your life.

Cloud computing and cyber security

Cloud computing and cyber security

Cloud computing has become a $100+ billion industry across the globe. For users it is easy to access and easy to use because for users on a desktop computer or handheld device, the cloud provides instant access to data anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection.

Should you really buy a rental property?

Should you really buy a rental property?

So…you are thinking about getting into the property investment market, but you haven’t quite worked out what the strategy is. Everyone else is doing it so maybe I should.  There are a lot of people that spruik rental property purchases but they focus heavily on the tax benefits.  Is that a good reason to buy or is there something else?  What does negative gearing mean and why has there been so much talk in the media about it.

Are you a tradie? Here's some tips about what you can claim as tax deductions

Are you a tradie? Here's some tips about what you can claim as tax deductions

If you work in a particular trade that involves manual labour then you are undoubtedly a tradie…or trades person.

Any financial outlay that you have in order to be able to carry out your job is classed as an expense. Tradies have many costs in doing their business, including transport, tools and safety or particular types of clothing.

Self-Managed Super Funds: Should you make the switch?

Self-Managed Super Funds: Should you make the switch?

Given recent ups and downs in the share market, Self Managed Super Funds (SMSF's) have become a hot topic once again. SMSFs allow you to control your Super input and investments more than an Industry Super Fund would. However, it's important to know a little bit more about them before you decide to take the leap.

China: Opportunities, investment & appetite

China: Opportunities, investment & appetite

There has been a lot of discussion about China lately – Free Trade Agreements, financial stability and growth and the impact on the Australian economy, and Chinese investment in Australia. With the help of our international contacts, we explore the impact of China on Australia and give some context to the debate. 

Bad Deeds: Is your SMSF at risk?

Bad Deeds: Is your SMSF at risk?

Your SMSF’s trust deed is its rulebook. If the deed does not allow or recognise something then the trustees can’t do it. Despite this, a lot of trustees are unaware of what their trust deed says – it was just something that was required when the fund was established. The problem with any document is that unless you amend it, it is only current for the circumstances that existed at that time. However, the law changes regularly and so do individual circumstances. 

This month, we shortcut the review process and highlight the key SMSF trust deed problem areas.