Insights

Clear thinking for your next decision.

Explore Andrew’s articles on tax, property structures and SMSF strategy.

36 articles

Tax Minimisation Strategies for High-Income Earners in Australia: A Chartered Accountant's 2026 Guide

Eight tax planning areas for higher-income Australians in 2025-26, including super, property, trusts, CGT and business structures. General information only.

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How to Structure Your Investment Property in Australia: Personal Name vs Trust vs Company vs SMSF

Personal name, trust, company or SMSF? Compare every investment property structure in Australia with tax rates, CGT impact and case studies.

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Family Trust Income Splitting in Australia: How It Works, Who It Suits, and What the ATO Is Watching

Learn how family trust income splitting works in Australia, the real tax savings using 2025-26 rates, Section 100A risks, and the NSW land tax trap.

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SMSF Property Investment in Australia: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

SMSF property investment Australia: tax rates, LRBA rules, eligibility, and who should and shouldn't buy. A complete guide by Sydney CA Andrew Romano.

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RBA Inflation Warning: How High-Income Australians Can Stress-Test Cashflow and Tax Strategy (2025-26)

RBA inflation warnings are a reminder to stress-test your cashflow and tax strategy. A practical 2025-26 guide for Australians earning $120k+ on what to review now.

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End-of-Financial-Year Tax Checklist for Australians Earning $120k+

The EOFY tax checklist I give my high-income clients - super, CGT, trust distributions, deductions and more. Act before June 30.

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First Home Buyer Schemes Are Pushing Up Prices - What It Means for Property Investors

Labor's first home buyer scheme has pushed prices up 6.7% in qualifying areas. What it means for investors and high-income earners in 2026.

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Negative Gearing vs Positive Gearing: Which Strategy Suits You?

Negative gearing vs positive gearing explained for Australian property investors. Tax treatment, cash flow impact, and how to decide.

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NSW Land Tax and Investment Properties: How Your Structure Affects the Bill

How NSW land tax works for investment properties and why your holding structure matters. The family trust trap, thresholds, and planning.

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CGT Discount Replaced: How the New Inflation Indexation Changes Everything from 2027

The 50% CGT discount is out from 1 July 2027. Inflation indexation and a 30% minimum tax replace it. Here's what that means for shares, property, and whether to sell before the deadline.

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Commercial Property in an SMSF: Why Business Owners Use This Strategy

How business owners buy commercial premises through their SMSF and lease it back. Tax advantages, rules, and how the leaseback strategy works.

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SMSF Borrowing Rules: How Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements Work

How SMSF borrowing works through LRBAs. The bare trust structure, rules, restrictions, and what you need to know before borrowing in super.

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Negative Gearing Changes 2027: What Property Investors Must Do Now

The negative gearing crackdown is in Parliament. Who's grandfathered, what changes from 1 July 2027, and what high-income property investors should do before it's too late.

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Payday Super SMSF Readiness Checklist: What Trustees Must Fix Before 1 July 2026

Payday Super starts 1 July 2026. SMSF trustees need their ESA active, NPP-ready bank account, and fund details correct or contributions will bounce. Here's the complete checklist.

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Build vs Buy: Property Investment Strategy When Negative Gearing Favours New Builds

New build property investment Australia strategy: comparing house and land packages vs established property after negative gearing changes. Construction loans, cashflow, holding costs, and how to model the real numbers.

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NSW First Home Buyer Duty 2026-27: Thresholds and Checklist

NSW first home buyer duty rates for 2026-27: current price caps, what full exemption vs reduced duty means, and a before-you-exchange checklist.

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SMSF Residential LRBA Ban: The Contract-Date Deadline Checklist

The ban on new SMSF residential LRBAs is now law. Here's the contract-date deadline checklist to beat it: what qualifies, what evidence you need, and your alternatives if you miss it.

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CSLR Levy Reform: Why SMSF Trustees Might Pay (And How to Plan)

The government wants to widen the CSLR levy beyond financial advisers. Large super funds and SMSFs are on the table. Here's what's actually being proposed and how to plan for it.

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Trust Tax Return 2026: What Trustees Must Change This Year

Trust tax return changes for Tax Time 2026: new distribution pre-fill, why beneficiaries see it in their return, and the trustee checklist to avoid delays.

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Payday Super for Business Owners Running Their Own SMSF

Payday super business owner obligations explained - cashflow timing, payroll software changes, and how to pay yourself super on 1 July 2026 when you run an SMSF.

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Tax Cuts 2026 and 2027: A Cashflow Planning Guide

The legislated tax cuts from 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027 change your take-home pay. Here's how to model it and three smart uses for the extra cashflow.

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Trust Capital Gains Distribution Planning After the CGT Discount Is Removed

Family trust CGT planning after 1 July 2027: streaming capital gains, beneficiary selection, trust deed amendments, the 30% minimum tax interaction, and whether to realise gains pre-2027.

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The $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off Is Now Permanent

The permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off starts from 1 July 2026. A practical buy-and-record checklist for eligible Australian small businesses.

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Proving Your Property Is Grandfathered: The Evidence Checklist

The documents that prove a property was held or under binding contract before 7:30pm AEST, 12 May 2026.

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Inheriting an Investment Property: What Happens to Negative Gearing

What the August 2026 draft consultation means for spouse inheritance, property records and grandfathered negative gearing.

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Company Loss Carry-Back Returns: Plan for a 2026-27 Refund

Company loss carry-back returns from 1 July 2026. A practical guide to planning the two-year look-back and potential tax refund for eligible companies.

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WA First Home Owner Rate: New $600k and $800k Thresholds

WA first home owner rate thresholds from 7 May 2026: $600,000 no-duty homes, concessions to $800,000, and $450,000/$550,000 vacant-land rules.

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Land Tax Across Multiple States: The Trap Investors Miss

A state-by-state 2026-27 guide to land tax thresholds, trust rules, surcharge risk and portfolio planning for Australian property investors.

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Victoria Commercial Property Tax: Check CIPT Status Before Buying

Victoria commercial property tax buyer checklist: check qualifying use, entry date, 10-year transition and future duty treatment before buying.

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Division 7A Rate Rises to 8.77%: Check Your Company Loan

The Division 7A benchmark interest rate is 8.77% for 2026-27. A practical repayment and records review for Australian owner-directors.

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Queensland Home Concessions: Temporary Residents Must Recheck Duty

Queensland's 1 August 2026 transfer-duty change can remove home, first-home and vacant-land concessions for temporary residents. Check your visa, buyers and contract date before signing.

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I Did 17 Open Homes In Melbourne: What Weak Buyer Demand Can Tell Us About the Property Market

A practical Australian property market discussion based on 17 Melbourne open homes: weak attendance, interest rates, affordability and vendor expectations.

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$34 Billion Off Australian Homes: What It Means If You Bought With a 5% Deposit

The ABS says Australia's dwelling stock fell $34.1 billion in the June quarter 2026. Here's which cities fell, what negative equity means on a 5% deposit, and the proposed 30% trust tax.

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Queensland Land Tax 2026-27: Check Your Assessment Notice

Queensland land tax 2026-27 assessment notice checklist: review landholdings, taxable value, exemptions and QRO contact details before you pay or dispute.

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Diesel at $2.50, Excise Back in Full: The Cost Squeeze Before the RBA's 29 September Call

Diesel is near $2.50 a litre, fuel excise is back to 53.7c and the RBA decides on 29 September. What rising fuel costs mean for Australian business cashflow.

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Your Builder Just Went Into Administration. What Happens to Your Deposit and Your Loan?

Bathla is in voluntary administration. What NSW off-the-plan deposit trust rules protect, what home building compensation cover pays, and the finance and refinancing traps buyers hit.

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