The advantages of investing early

You may have heard it said, “No risk, no reward.” But did you know that time can actually decrease your risk while increasing your reward? 

Investing: Risky business?

When some people think of investing, they focus on the potential for great rewards—the possibility of picking a winning share that will increase in value over time.

Other people focus on the risk—the possibility of losing everything in a market crash or on a bad stock pick.

Who’s right? Well, it’s true that all investing involves some risk. It’s also true that investing is one of the best ways to build your wealth over time.

In fact, there’s typically a direct relationship between the amount of risk involved in an investment and the potential amount of money it could make.

Different types of investments fall all along this risk-reward spectrum. No matter what your goal is, you can find investments that could help you reach your goal without taking on unnecessary risk.

Time is on your side

Here’s the secret ingredient that can make investments less risky: time.

But there’s a caveat.

If you invest in just a handful of investments or only within the same industry, time won’t necessarily make your portfolio any safer.

The reason it works for diversified investment portfolios that incorporate a range of asset classes (i.e. bonds), regions and markets is that over time, there tend to be more “winners” than “losers.” And the investments that gain money offset the ones that don’t do as well.

The more time you have, the more you benefit from compounding

Not only can the passage of time help lower your investment risk, it can potentially increase the rewards of investing.

Imagine you place one checker on the corner of a checker board. Then you place two checkers on the next square and continue doubling the number of checkers on each following square.

If you’ve heard this brainteaser before, you know that by the time you get to the last square on the board—the 64th—your board will hold a total of 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 checkers.

While there’s no guarantee you can double your money every year, the principle behind this – known as “compounding” – is important to understand that when your starting amount is higher, your increases are higher too. And over time, it can add up to be a material increase.

For example, if you earn 6% on a $10,000 investment, you’ll make $600 in the first year. But then you start the second year with $10,600—during which your 6% returns will net you $636. This is a hypothetical example that does not take into consideration investment costs or taxes.

In the 20th year of this example, you’ll earn more than $1,800—and your balance will have increased more than 200%.

A caveat: reinvesting is key

If you take your earnings out of your account and spend them every year, your balance will never get any bigger—and neither will your annual earnings. So instead of making more than $20,000 over 20 years in the hypothetical example above, you’d only collect your $600 every year for a total of $12,000.

If you instead leave your money alone, your “earnings on earnings” will eventually grow to be larger than the earnings on your original investment – and that’s the power of compounding!

Understanding long-term investing can be confusing, that is why we are here to help. Contact us today to find out more. 

Source: Vanguard

Reproduced with permission of Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd

Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd (ABN 72 072 881 086 / AFS Licence 227263) is the product issuer. We have not taken yours and your clients’ circumstances into account when preparing this material so it may not be applicable to the particular situation you are considering. You should consider your circumstances and our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or Prospectus before making any investment decision. You can access our PDS or Prospectus online or by calling us. This material was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

© 2022 Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd. All rights reserved.

Important:
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Market movements & review video – January 2023

As 2022 drew to a close, investors remained focused on inflation, interest rates and recession worries.

The ASX200 index declined in December after two months of gains, ending a challenging year showing an overall loss through 2022 of over 7%.

Click the video below to view our January update.

January 2023 Market Update


Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Make yourself accountable for your success

When it comes to career or life goals, a crucial element often missing from the discussion is that of personal accountability. Accountability is fundamental to effective government and successful business, but we often neglect it in regards to our own ambitions. Practicing personal accountability isn’t easy, but if you embrace it, the effect can be transformative.

Transparency

A critical first step in any accountability process is transparency. This means being honest about your prior successes and failures. You can then use what you’ve learned from them to frame your strategy going forward.

Often what stops us from being honest with ourselves is an inability to accept responsibility for our own contribution to our successes or failures. This in turn can often result in a blame mentality. In every person’s life there is a mixture of internal and external obstacles that prevent us from getting what we want. The problem with always blaming what’s outside of us, is that we lose sight of what we can control. It reduces our power. The outcome can be inertia. To blame is to tread water. To be accountable is to build a raft.

Skin in the game

Indecision, procrastination and laziness are three common factors that get in the way of us achieving our goals. So how do we show some accountability and mitigate these habits? The answer is to put some skin in the game – to raise the stakes.

Let’s take the gym as an example. Your building has a free one for the tenants, but you never use it. Maybe it’s because it’s not very well equipped, but you’re also not really losing anything if you don’t go. But say the gym charges a fee. That might mean it’s better resourced, sure, but you’re also getting charged every week. Nobody wants to waste money so you go. You’ve got skin in the game.

Let’s extend the metaphor. You might decide to pay a bit more and join a class, or even splash out and get a personal trainer. Now you’ve really invested, because not only are you giving up your hard-earned cash, but you’ve got someone who will be disappointed in you if you don’t make the session. Someone else to hold you accountable.

Engaging an ally

When a task is set for you by someone else, the stakes are naturally higher because you’re accountable to them. It’s much harder to let someone else down, than it is yourself. This is why it is important to engage an ally, when working towards your goals. And to be honest, the more the better.

Allies can sort fact from fiction, give constructive feedback and encourage you when you’re feeling flat. And it is a lot harder to veer off course when you have a crowd cheering you on.

Practicing accountability

Practicing accountability becomes easier when you have in place a good set of processes. That’s why we’ve come up with this four-step process.

1. Make sure your goals are concrete. This means being specific about what they are and what they’re not. You can’t kick a goal if you don’t know where the goal posts are.

2. Record your progress. Ask any business leader, and they’ll tell you accountability requires accurate reporting. This is where transparency and diligence come in. Make sure you keep records of your successes and failures, the tasks you did, the time they took, and what they cost. Then let this frame your strategy going forward, including incremental deadlines.

3. Invest and put some more skin the game. This means giving up something that has currency to you in order to compel you to keep going. There needs to be an outcome, a material loss, that comes from not reaching your deadlines.

4. Finally, engage an ally. This can be a mentor or a friend. Someone who checks in with you and encourages you but can also give constructive criticism.

If you’ve got big dreams and need some help making them financially viable, come talk to us. We can help make a plan, and ensure you stay accountable each step of the way.

Mortgage vs super

With interest rates on the rise and investment returns increasingly volatile, Australians with cash to spare may be wondering how to make the most of it. If you have a mortgage, should you make extra repayments or would you be better off in the long run boosting your super?

The answer is, it depends. Your personal circumstances, interest rates, tax and the investment outlook all need to be taken into consideration.

What to consider

Some of the things you need to weigh up before committing your hard-earned cash include:

Your age and years to retirement

The closer you are to retirement and the smaller your mortgage, the more sense it makes to prioritise super. Younger people with a big mortgage, dependent children, and decades until they can access their super have more incentive to pay down housing debt, perhaps building up investments outside super they can access if necessary.

Your mortgage interest rate

This will depend on whether you have a fixed or variable rate, but both are on the rise. As a guide, the average variable mortgage interest rate is currently around 4.5 per cent so any money directed to your mortgage earns an effective return of 4.5 per cent.i

When interest rates were at historic lows, you could earn better returns from super and other investments; but with interest rates rising, the pendulum is swinging back towards repaying the mortgage. The earlier in the term of your loan you make extra repayments, the bigger the savings over the life of the loan. The question then is the amount you can save on your mortgage compared to your potential earnings if you invest in super.

Super fund returns

In the 10 years to 30 June 2022, super funds returned 8.1 per cent a year on average but fell 3.3 per cent in the final 12 months.ii In the short-term, financial markets can be volatile but the longer your investment horizon, the more time there is to ride out market fluctuations. As your money is locked away until you retire, the combination of time, compound interest and concessional tax rates make super an attractive investment for retirement savings.

Tax

Super is a concessionally taxed retirement savings vehicle, with tax on investment earnings of 15 per cent compared with tax at your marginal rate on investments outside super.

Contributions are taxed at 15 per cent going in, but this is likely to be less than your marginal tax rate if you salary sacrifice into super from your pre-tax income. You may even be able to claim a tax deduction for personal contributions you make up to your annual cap. Once you turn 60 and retire, income from super is generally tax free. By comparison, mortgage interest payments are not tax-deductible.

Personal sense of security

For many people there is an enormous sense of relief and security that comes with having a home fully paid for and being debt-free heading into retirement. As mortgage interest payments are not tax deductible for the family home (as opposed to investment properties), younger borrowers are often encouraged to pay off their mortgage as quickly as possible. But for those close to retirement, it may make sense to put extra savings into super and use their super to repay any outstanding mortgage debt after they retire.

These days, more people are entering retirement with mortgage debt. So whatever your age, your decision will also depend on the size of your outstanding home loan and your super balance. If your mortgage is a major burden, or you have other outstanding debts, then debt repayment is likely a priority.

All things considered

As you can see, working out how to get the most out of your savings is rarely simple and the calculations will be different for everyone. The best course of action will ultimately depend on your personal and financial goals.

Buying a home and saving for retirement are both long-term financial commitments that require regular review. If you would like to discuss your overall investment strategy, give us a call.


i https://www.finder.com.au/the-average-home-loan-interest-rate

ii https://www.chantwest.com.au/resources/super-members-spared-the-worst-in-a-rough-year-for-markets

11 tips for reducing costs in small business

Small businesses across the country will be looking for ways to reduce costs amid cost of living and rising price pressures.

Economic challenges are expected to continue into the 2024 financial year, from inflation and supply chain lags to higher interest rates and reduced consumer spending.

Businesses will need to keep a close eye on their income and expenses to maintain positive cashflow, Small Business Loans Australia founder, Alon Rajic says.

“As Australian businesses continue to face the repercussions of the last two years, a significant proportion will have challenges, particularly without a savings buffer or strategy to help meet their expenses,” said Rajic.

Small Business Loans Australia research set out to find out if fast-rising interest rates and inflation would impact small business’ ability and motivation to invest in themselves. Specifically, more than a quarter (29 percent) of respondents had not planned to invest in their business at all this financial year.

Three quarters of respondents (76 percent) admit their cashflow will be impacted by interest rate rises and inflation over the next year, it also found.

Specifically, 30 percent believe their cashflow will be impacted because it will be harder to collect customer payments, while 26 percent say it will be harder to attract sales. A further 20 percent say both issues will impact cashflow.

But before you take any extreme actions like reducing staff hours or letting workers go, here are 11 straightforward tips to begin minimising business costs today.

Take a systematic approach
The best starting place is to consider your key cost centres, such as purchasing, sales, finance, and administration, for example.

Go over your profit and loss statement for the past 12 months and rank your expenses from highest to lowest and comb through each one in search of cost saving potential.

Make sure you go back and look over your budgets and forecasts and see how you’re tracking.

Also, benchmark your business against industry standards. For example, your waste levels could be higher than the industry average, or others in your industry could be introducing sustainable business measures, which could be bringing them savings.

Uncover hidden costs
Costs aren’t always easy to spot in business, but they can add up quickly.

Hidden costs could be the rising cost of insurance policies, unused subscriptions, permits and industry memberships you pay each month even though you never enjoy any of the perks they offer.

Sit down and go through your bank account and track the expenses to see where you can make savings or do without.

Also, be sure to double check supplier invoices for any overcharging, double billing or discounts that haven’t been applied.

Sell off unwanted equipment
If you’re no longer using tools and equipment, don’t let them sit in the garage or stockroom gathering dust. Conduct an audit and convert what you can back into cash wherever appropriate.

Selling used or unwanted items brings in some extra cash, you’ll be able to put that money back into keeping the business running.

Negotiate with suppliers
Taking half a day out to shop around for lower prices could end up making you more money than you realise.

Call your bank and see if they will offer you a better deal on your business loans, and shop around energy providers to see how you might reduce your utilities overheads.

Start with your biggest expenses and work your way down the list.

Separate personal and business expenses
Put simply: don’t make personal purchases from the business credit card.
Separating out your expenses will mean you can account for them easily and it’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on tax deductions.

It can also make sure you aren’t mistakenly claiming for personal expenses, which will be frowned upon by the Australian Taxation Office.

Reduce spending
After all, a penny saved is a penny earned.

And that means it’s much easier to hold onto the cash you already have.

Set a budget, and follow it, and analyse where your money is being spent and where you can cut costs.

Even simple things like packing your lunch and purchasing a coffee
machine for the office can add up over time — that five dollars a day for takeaway coffee will wind up being around $1,300 over the course of a whole year.

Conduct a tech audit
Technology costs can add up, but if you’ve implemented tech a year ago that you’re no longer using, it can be a huge waste.

Go through your licenses and subscriptions that you don’t need or use to see what you can be culled.

It may be that you’re also haemorrhaging money due to inefficiencies in your systems — for example, if you’re wasting time and resources on manual data transfers between multiple software solutions.

A business management platform should include a broad variety of built-in features, allowing you and your staff to accomplish all your core business processes, such as accounting, payroll, inventory management and more.

Improve staff productivity
Employees not pulling their weight in the business can reduce efficiency and become a costly liability.

Assessing and improving staff performance can be a great way to reduce costs before resorting to reducing staff hours.

Set ambitious but achievable goals your staff can get behind and consider what business management tools you might need to help track productivity and performance.

Realign marketing budgets with performance
The sole purpose of marketing is to drive interest in your business’ products and services.

When times are tough, taking a close look at your marketing performance should be a regular occurrence to determine whether you’re getting value for money.

For instance, doubling down on your customer service may drive word of mouth outcomes that effectively boost the effectiveness of other marketing activities, or a targeted letter could deliver a new favourite customer.

Whether your analysis results in less spend or more, auditing your marketing budgets will help you gain a better understanding of where and when sales are coming in, and where your money is spent.

Reduce your space
Do you really need that shopfront or office space anymore?

We all learnt the virtues of running a virtual business over the past few years, so if you’re still leasing an office space, now could be the time to consider whether there are more cost-effective alternatives.

Seek out an expert
If you’re finding it challenging to cut costs, consider hiring an expert to suggest other cost reduction strategies.

The right advisor can help you audit your existing systems and processes, business and sales strategies, and make suggestions on how to sustain and grow your operations.

Don’t leave the hard decisions until too late. If you’re facing challenges as a result of the current high-cost environment, now’s the time to get active.

Source: MYOB November 2022

Reproduced with the permission of MYOB. This article by Nina Hendy was originally published at myob.com

Important:
This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.

Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Tax Alert December 2022

Tax compliance, higher fines in spotlight

Business taxes remained largely unchanged in the second Federal Budget of 2022, but employees working from home can expect less generous deduction rules for the 2022-23 financial year. Here’s some of the latest tax developments.

All quiet on the small business tax front

There were no significant tax changes affecting small business in the October 2022 Federal Budget, although there was a big focus on tax compliance.

The ATO will receive $685 million over four years to help it raise $2.1 billion from a crackdown on shadow economy activities. This may be of concern to some small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs), as the ATO believes the bulk of these activities occur among smaller business taxpayers. The Budget also included a $15.1 million boost for the existing small business debt helpline and programs focused on the financial and mental wellbeing of small business owners. Help with rising energy costs included $63 million to improve SME energy efficiency and energy use.

It’s unknown whether measures of the popular instant asset write-off and carry back of losses will be extended past 30 June 2023. We may need to wait for the May 2023 Budget for the answer.

STP Phase 2 deadline soon

With Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 reporting now well underway, small business employers need to remember their next reporting deadline is 1 January 2023.

Common STP reporting mistakes seen by the ATO this year include incorrect re-mapping of pay codes and not separately itemising bonuses, overtime and commissions; failure to correctly input existing year-to-date amounts; and incorrectly categorising allowances. The ATO has a range of factsheets and resources available to help employers get their STP reporting right.

Draft guidance on work from home deductions

Taxpayers working from home are likely to face significant rule changes when claiming tax deductions this financial year following release of the ATO’s draft guidance on the issue.

Under the new guidelines, employees will only be permitted to claim a deduction of 67 cents for every hour they genuinely work from home, instead of the 80 cents under the short-cut method available prior to 1 July 2022.

Asset depreciation on items used for work purposes will require a separate depreciation calculation. Employees will not require a separate home office or dedicated work area to claim the deduction, but normal substantiation rules apply.

Alternatively, employees working from home can claim a deduction for their expenses using the traditional actual cost method.

Increase in ATO penalty units

Taxpayers running afoul of the taxman will find themselves facing bigger bills this year after the Federal Budget included measures to increase the fines for regulatory penalty units. From 1 January 2023, fines will jump from $222 to $275 per penalty unit, a 19.3 per cent increase.

This is on top of regular indexation by the CPI, which is every three years, and this will remain in place, with the next one due to take effect on 1 July 2023.

Enhancing tax transparency

Large private business entities will face more scrutiny of their tax affairs after new legislation passed through Parliament to require greater transparency of the tax affairs of private companies.

The reform reduces the tax information reporting threshold for private corporate tax entities to companies with a total income of $100 million or more (previously $200 million or more). This lower threshold applies to reporting for 2022-23 and subsequent financial years.

The previous grandfathering of the exemption applying to certain large proprietary companies from the normal obligation to lodge their annual reports with ASIC was also removed.

Super for holiday season employees

Employers planning to hire staff on a short-term basis for the holiday season need to remember changes to the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rules mean temporary staff may be eligible for super contributions.

From 1 July 2022, employers must make SG contributions at 10.5% for eligible employees regardless of how much they earn after removal of the $450 per month eligibility threshold.

For new employees who are offered choice of super fund but fail to choose, you must request their stapled super fund details from the ATO to meet your super obligations.

Tax Alert September 2022

With the tax regulator taking a more aggressive approach to tax debts and reviewing work from home deduction rules, tax issues could become a higher priority in 2022-23.

Here’s a roundup of some of the latest developments in the world of tax.


Consultation on working from home deductions

Taxpayers could face the prospect of new rules when it comes to claiming working from home deductions after the ATO announced it was undertaking a targeted consultation.

Now the temporary shortcut method for working from home deductions has ended (available 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2022), the ATO is currently refreshing its approach to the traditional fixed rate method of calculating work from home deductions.

The regulator is consulting tax practitioner representatives and expects discussions to be completed in October 2022, with any new rules for the current financial year to be announced after this.

Offsetting of tax debts resumes

After taking a lenient approach during the pandemic, the tax man has begun chasing outstanding tax debts by sending taxpayers letters reminding them about existing debts placed on hold.

During the 2022-23 financial year, the ATO will recommence offsetting tax refunds or credits to pay off a taxpayer’s existing tax debts.

In some cases, tax credits will also be used to pay off debts owed to other government agencies such as Centrelink.

JobMaker Hiring Credit open

The seventh claim period for JobMaker Hiring Credit payments is now open and will end on 31 October 2022.

The scheme allows businesses to claim the credit for up to a year for each eligible employee hired between 7 October 2020 and 6 October 2021.

Eligible employers can nominate additional eligible employees through their STP-enabled software and claim using ATO Online Services or their accountant.

ATO app for sole traders

The ATO is encouraging sole traders to download and use the ATO app for a more personalised experience when viewing their tax lodgments and payment due dates.

Did you know you can access the ATO app via our RGM app, if you don’t have our app you can download via the Apple Store – RGM app or Google Play – RGM app.

The app also allows sole traders to check the progress of their tax return, view their income tax and activity statement accounts, access transactions and payment plan details and make payments in ATO online.

Useful tools and calculators such as myDeductions and the Tax Withheld Calculator are also available, together with a Business Performance Check Tool allowing you to compare your business performance with others in your industry.

Thresholds for 2022-23 car claims

The maximum value for calculating depreciation on the business use of a car first used or leased during 2022–23 has increased to $64,741.

The car limit is indexed annually in line with CPI movements and represents the threshold limit on the cost you can use to work out depreciation on a passenger vehicle.

If you purchase a vehicle priced over the car limit, your maximum claimable GST credit is $5,885 in 2022-23.

From 1 July 2022, the luxury car tax (LCT) threshold has also increased. The new threshold for fuel efficient vehicles is $84,916 (up from $79,659) and for all other vehicles it increases to $71,849 (up from $69,152).

Crypto not taxed as foreign currency

The government has announced crypto currencies will continue to be excluded from foreign currency arrangements for tax purposes. Capital gains tax (CGT) will continue to apply to crypto assets held as investments.

The announcement will be backdated to 1 July 2021 to ensure a consistent tax requirement for crypto asset holders.

New rate for claiming car expenses

Taxpayers electing to use the cents per kilometre method when calculating work related car expenses in their income tax deductions have a new kilometre rate to use.

From 1 July 2022, a 78 cents per kilometre rate applies. This rate will remain in place in subsequent income years until varied by legislation.

Director ID reminder

The deadline is approaching for directors to apply for their director ID – a unique 15-digit identifier. If you need assistance with your Director ID please email or contact our office on 03 5120 1400.

From 1 November 2021 directors of all businesses, including directors of self-managed super fund (SMSF) corporate trustees, need a director ID. Anyone who was a director before that date has until 30 November 2022 to apply.

Directors appointed between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 had to apply within 28 days of their appointment. From 5 April 2022, intending directors must apply before they are appointed.

If you need any questions in relation to our articles, please email or contact our office on 03 5120 1400.

Material contained in this publication is a summary only and is based on information believed to be reliable and received from sources within the market. It is not the intention of RGM Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 36 419 582 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 229471, RGM Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 69 528 723 510 that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. No representation is given, warranty made or responsibility taken as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or recommendation contained in this publication and RGM and its related bodies corporate will not be liable to the reader in contract or tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising as a result of the reader relying on any such information or recommendation (except in so far as any statutory liability cannot be excluded).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.




When bankruptcy is the best way forward

As interest rates and debt levels rise, many individuals and small business owners are feeling the pinch. Most will make it through with some belt-tightening, but some may need to take further action.

As a last resort, a debt agreement or bankruptcy may be an option. But what are the implications?

Solutions to financial pressure

There are many reasons consumers and businesses are finding it harder to pay their bills, with pandemic closures, natural disasters and now an energy crisis piling on the pressure.

Figures from the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) show in April 2022 there were 700 new personal insolvencies across the country, with the majority (61.4 per cent) being bankruptcies. Within these, 37.7 per cent were business-related bankruptcies.

But bankruptcy is not the only option. If you find yourself unable to pay your debts, you can also consider making a debt agreement, a personal insolvency agreement, or seeking temporary debt protection (TDP).

A TDP prevents creditors from seizing your assets or wages and gives you time to seek advice, while the other formal insolvency options (such as debt and personal insolvency agreements) are a longer-term answer for pressing financial problems.

Debt and declaring bankruptcy

The best-known formal insolvency option is bankruptcy. This is a legal process where you are released from most of your debts and can make a fresh start with your finances.

In 2020-21, around 6,800 Australians declared bankruptcy. This was 46.7 per cent down on the previous year, due largely to the special debt forgiveness rules in place due to COVID-19.

Although bankruptcy is tempting when you or your business are drowning in unpaid bills, it’s a serious step so please speak to us to understand the consequences before taking any action.

Once you file for bankruptcy, a Trustee is appointed to manage your ‘bankrupt estate’ and dispose of assets to pay your debts. If you earn over a set amount during your bankruptcy, you may be required to make compulsory ‘contributions’ from your income to your Trustee.

Impact of bankruptcy

Bankruptcy has serious consequences. Your name will permanently appear on the National Personal Insolvency Index, which is likely to affect your ability to obtain credit in the future. When applying, you must inform any credit provider you are bankrupt and credit reporting agencies will keep a record of your bankruptcy for five years from the date you become bankrupt.

You are required to request written permission from your Trustee to travel overseas, even if it’s for work. Travelling without permission could extend your bankruptcy or result in a prison sentence.

Bankruptcy doesn’t stop you from working and normally the AFSA doesn’t inform your employer, but there are limitations when operating as a sole trader. Court permission is required to be a company director or manage a company.

Your Trustee may sell your assets to help repay your debts, although you are able to keep ordinary household goods, tools up to a set amount used to earn your income and vehicles valued under a threshold.

Recoverable debts

Once you are discharged from bankruptcy (which usually lasts for three years and one day), your creditors can’t recover any remaining pre-bankruptcy debts.

Bankruptcy doesn’t, however, release you from all your debts. If you have secured debts (such as a mortgage over your home), creditors have the right to take possession of your property even if you are in bankruptcy.

While most unsecured debts (such as credit cards, personal and pay day loans, utility bills and unpaid rent) are covered by bankruptcy, some debts must be paid. These include court-imposed penalties, child support and debts incurred after your bankruptcy starts.

Tax and bankruptcy

If you declare bankruptcy, you still need to lodge a tax return and outstanding personal returns and Business Activity Statements must be filed.

The ATO ranks equally with other unsecured creditors, so if it’s one of your creditors, your Trustee will not necessarily pay this debt first. The only priority tax claims are unpaid Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) debts if you have employees.

If your Trustee decides to sell some of your assets to clear your debts, this may create a capital gain or loss and the CGT event must be recorded in your annual tax return. The ATO may also offset any tax refunds you become entitled to against any tax, child support or family assistance debts.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact your adviser to discuss your options via email or call us on 03 5120 1400.

Source: Australian Financial Security Authority

Material contained in this publication is a summary only and is based on information believed to be reliable and received from sources within the market. It is not the intention of RGM Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 36 419 582 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 229471, RGM Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 69 528 723 510 that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. No representation is given, warranty made or responsibility taken as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or recommendation contained in this publication and RGM and its related bodies corporate will not be liable to the reader in contract or tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising as a result of the reader relying on any such information or recommendation (except in so far as any statutory liability cannot be excluded).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Federal Budget 2022-23 Analysis

A balancing act

Billed as a Budget for families with a focus on relieving short-term cost of living pressures, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s fourth Budget also has one eye firmly on the federal election in May.

At the same time, the government is relying on rising commodity prices and a forecast lift in wages as unemployment heads towards a 50-year low to underpin Australia’s post-pandemic recovery.

While budget deficits and government debt will remain high for the foreseeable future, the Treasurer is confident that economic growth will more than cover the cost of servicing our debt.

The big picture

The Australian economy continues to grow faster and stronger than anticipated, but the fog of war in Ukraine is adding uncertainty to the global economic outlook. After growing by 4.2 per cent in the year to December, Australia’s economic growth is expected to slow to 3.4 per cent in 2022-23.i

Unemployment, currently at 4 per cent, is expected to fall to 3.75 per cent in the September quarter. The government is banking on a tighter labour market pushing up wages which are forecast to grow at a rate of 3.25 per cent in 2023 and 2024. Wage growth has improved over the past year but at 2.3 per cent, it still lags well behind inflation of 3.5 per cent.ii

The Treasurer forecast a budget deficit of $78 billion in 2022-23 (3.4 per cent of GDP), lower than the $88.9 billion estimate as recently as last December, before falling to $43 billion (1.6 per cent of GDP) by the end of the forward estimates in 2025-26.

Net debt is tipped to hit an eye-watering $715 billion (31 per cent of GDP) in 2022-23 before peaking at 33 per cent of GDP in June 2026. This is lower than forecast but unthinkable before the pandemic sent a wrecking ball through the global economy.

Rising commodity prices

The big improvement in the deficit has been underpinned by the stronger than expected economic recovery and soaring commodity prices for some of our major exports.

Iron ore prices have jumped about 75 per cent since last November on strong demand from China, while wheat prices have soared 68 per cent over the year and almost 5 per cent in March alone after the war in Ukraine cut global supply.iii,iv

Offsetting those exports, Australia is a net importer of oil. The price of Brent Crude oil prices have surged 73 per cent over the year, with supply shortages exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.v Australian households are paying over $2 a litre to fill their car with petrol, adding to cost of living pressures and pressure on the government to act.

With the rising cost of fuel and other essentials, this is one of the areas targeted by the Budget. The following rundown summarises the measures most likely to impact Australian households.

Cost of living relief

As expected, the Treasurer announced a temporary halving of the fuel excise for the next six months which will save motorists 22c a litre on petrol. The Treasurer estimates a family with two cars who fill up once a week could save about $30 a week, or $700 in total over six months.

Less expected was the temporary $420 one-off increase in the low-to-middle-income tax offset (LMITO). It had been speculated that LMITO would be extended for another year, but it is now set to end on June 30 as planned.

The extra $420 will boost the offset for people earning less than $126,000 from up to $1,080 previously to $1,500 this year. Couples will receive up to $3,000. The additional offset, which the government says will ease inflationary pressures for 10 million Australians, will be available when people lodge their tax returns from 1 July.

The government will also make one-off cash payments of $250 in April to six million people receiving JobSeeker, age and disability support pensions, parenting payment, youth allowance and those with a seniors’ health card.

Temporarily extending the minimum pension drawdown relief

Self-funded retirees haven’t been forgotten. The temporary halving of the minimum income drawdown requirement for superannuation pensions will be further extended, until 30 June 2023.

This will allow retirees to minimise the need to sell down assets given ongoing market volatility. It applies to account-based, transition to retirement and term allocated superannuation pensions.

More support for home buyers

A further 50,000 places a year will be made available under various government schemes to help more Australians buy a home.

This includes an additional 35,000 places for the First Home Guarantee where the government underwrites loans to first-home buyers with a deposit as low as 5 per cent. And a further 5,000 places for the Family Home Guarantee which helps single parents buy a home with as little as 2 per cent deposit.

There is also a new Regional Home Guarantee, which will provide 10,000 guarantees to allow people who have not owned a home for five years to buy a new property outside a major city with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent.

Support for parents

The government is expanding the paid parental leave scheme to give couples more flexibility to choose how they balance work and childcare.

Dad and partner pay will be rolled into Paid Parental Leave Pay to create a single scheme that gives the 180,000 new parents who access it each year, increased flexibility to choose how they will share it.

In addition, single parents will be able to take up to 20 weeks of leave, the same as couples.

Health and aged care

One of the Budget surprises in the wake of the Aged Care Royal Commission findings, was the absence of spending on additional aged care workers and wages.

Instead, $468 million will be spent on the sector with most of that ($340 million) earmarked to provide on-site pharmacy services.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is also set for a $2.4 billion shot in the arm over five years, adding new medicines to the list. PBS safety net thresholds will also be reduced, so patients with high demand for prescription medicines won’t have to get as many scripts.

A $547 million mental health and suicide prevention support package includes a $52 million funding boost for Lifeline.

And as winter approaches, the government will spend a further $6 billion on its COVID health response.

Jobs, skills development and small business support

As the economy and demand for skilled workers grow, the government is providing more funding for skills development with a focus on small business. It will provide a funding boost of $3.7 billion to states and territories with the potential to provide 800,000 training places.

In addition, eligible apprentices and trainees in “priority industries” will be able to access $5,000 in retention payments over two years, while their employers will also receive wage subsidies.

Small businesses with annual turnover of less than $50 million will be able to deduct 20 per cent of the cost of training their employees, so for every $100 they spend, they receive a $120 tax deduction.

Similarly, for every $100 these businesses spend to digitalise their businesses, up to an outlay of $100,000, they will receive a $120 tax deduction. This includes things such as portable payment devices, cyber security systems and subscriptions to cloud-based services.

Looking ahead

With an election less than two months away, the government will be hoping it has done enough to quell voter concerns about the rising cost of living, while safeguarding Australia’s ongoing economic recovery.

The local economy faces strong headwinds from the war in Ukraine, the cost of widespread flooding along much of the east coast and the ongoing pandemic.

Much depends on the hopes for the rise in employment and wages to offset rising inflation, and the timing and extent of interest rate rises by the Reserve Bank.

If you have any questions about any of the Budget measures, don’t hesitate to call us on 03 5120 1400.

Information in this article has been sourced from the Budget Speech 2022-23 and Federal Budget support documents.

It is important to note that the policies outlined in this publication are yet to be passed as legislation and therefore may be subject to change.

i https://tradingeconomics.com/australia/gdp-growth-annual

ii https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/annual-wage-growth-increases-23

iii https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/iron-ore

iv, v https://tradingeconomics.com/commodities

Material contained in this publication is a summary only and is based on information believed to be reliable and received from sources within the market. It is not the intention of RGM Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 36 419 582 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 229471, RGM Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 69 528 723 510 that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. No representation is given, warranty made or responsibility taken as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or recommendation contained in this publication and RGM and its related bodies corporate will not be liable to the reader in contract or tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising as a result of the reader relying on any such information or recommendation (except in so far as any statutory liability cannot be excluded).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Tax Alert March 2022

New super and tax rules passed in Parliament

Some of the last sitting days before this year’s Federal election saw changes to the tax and super rules finally pass through both houses of Parliament. Here’s a roundup of some of the key developments.

Loss carry back extended and super rules changed

Several reforms to the tax and super rules were legislated during the final marathon full Parliamentary session before this year’s Federal election. They include an extension of the business loss carry-back tax offset for the 2022-23 financial year and an extension to 30 June 2023 for the temporary full expensing regime.

Removal of the current $450-per-month threshold for payment of Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions means from 1 July 2022, employers will be required to make contributions for employees earning less than this amount.

Other key changes to the super rules include application of the work test to super contributors aged 67 to 74 who claim a deduction for personal contributions. However, from 1 July 2022 contributors over age 67 will be able to make or receive non-concessional super contributions using a bring-forward arrangement.

The new legislation also includes a reduction in the age limit for downsizer super contributions to 60 and an increase to the maximum allowable amount of contributions under the First Home Super Saver Scheme from $30,000 to $50,000.

Loss carry back tool launched

To help businesses correctly claim the loss carry back (LCB) tax offset in their company tax return, the ATO has launched a new online tool to help prevent errors and ensure correct completion of LCB labels in your return.

The interactive tool helps companies work out their eligibility for the tax offset and calculate the maximum offset they can claim. It also displays labels that must be completed in the company tax return.

FBT deadline approaching

Employers need to remember the annual fringe benefits tax (FBT) deadline is rapidly approaching on 31 March 2022.

The FBT year runs from 1 April to 31 March, and you are required to self-assess your FBT liability for certain benefits you have provided to your employees or their families and other associates.

As an employer, you may be able to claim an income tax deduction for the cost of providing fringe benefits and for the amount of FBT you pay, so it’s important to get your paperwork in order.

New ‘right’ for businesses to request B2B eInvoicing

The government is currently consulting on whether to introduce a Business eInvoicing Right (BER) giving businesses the ‘right’ to ask other businesses to send an eInvoice for transactions.

The BER would be established as part of a new regulatory framework or under the Corporations Act 2001.

Implementation of the BER would be in three phases starting with large entities before moving to medium and finally small businesses.

Add industry codes to your ABN details

Holders of an Australian Business Number (ABN) can now include up to four additional business activities when updating their ABN details.

The extra information will help government agencies better target appropriate business support and stimulus measures.

If you offer business services other than those listed as your main business activity, it may be time to update your ABN details with some additional industry codes.

Focus on small business CGT concessions

The ATO has announced it’s paying closer attention to businesses mistakenly claiming small business capital gains tax (CGT) concessions to which they are not entitled.

Anyone claiming one or more small business CGT concessions in a recent income tax return may receive an ATO letter asking you to check your claim and ensure you meet the basic eligibility conditions.

The taxman is also encouraging taxpayers planning to claim a small business CGT concession to check what attracts its attention in this area.

Trading stock taken for private usage

If you take goods from your business’ trading stock for private use, you will need to check the updated values applying for both adults and children aged four to 16 when preparing your tax return.

The tax man has updated the value of goods it will accept for certain industries during 2021-22.

The new amounts will apply to owners of businesses such as cafes, greengrocers, takeaway food shops, mixed businesses, butcheries and bakeries.

Material contained in this publication is a summary only and is based on information believed to be reliable and received from sources within the market. It is not the intention of RGM Financial Planners Pty Ltd ABN 36 419 582 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 229471, RGM Accountants & Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 69 528 723 510 that this publication be used as the primary source of readers’ information but as an adjunct to their own resources and training. No representation is given, warranty made or responsibility taken as to the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or recommendation contained in this publication and RGM and its related bodies corporate will not be liable to the reader in contract or tort (including for negligence) or otherwise for any loss or damage arising as a result of the reader relying on any such information or recommendation (except in so far as any statutory liability cannot be excluded).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.