The share market never stands still, and neither should your knowledge. In this 2026 webinar hosted by Jeni Wilcock, Director at Sullivan Dewing, we look at the economic and market developments shaping the outlook for Australian investors. Expert insights from Shaw and Partners Our guest speakers, Andrew Tyrrell and Maria Zapata from Shaw and Partners, share their analysis on: The outlook for Australian and global share markets Interest rates, company earnings and market valu

If you have private health insurance to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS), there’s an important detail that can easily be missed – your dependants need to be appropriately covered too. The MLS is an additional tax of between 1% and 1.5% that can apply to higher-income taxpayers who don’t have appropriate private hospital cover. And having cover just for yourself may not be enough. Watch out for older children This is particularly important as children get older. Your pr

The NSW Government has introduced a two-year freeze on workers compensation premium rates for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years, providing businesses with greater certainty over an important employment cost. For most NSW businesses, the freeze means the underlying prejmium rates will remain stable over the next two years, making it easier to budget and plan ahead. However, a rate freeze does not necessarily mean your actual premium will stay the same. Your individual wo

Own a holiday home that you also rent out? New ATO guidance means it is worth taking a closer look at how and when you use the property. Under the ATO's 2026 guidance, if a property is a holiday home, expenses associated with owning and using the property — such as interest, council and water rates, body corporate fees, and tax, repairs and maintenance — are only deductible where the property is mainly used, or held for use, to produce rental income. Importantly, this isn't s

The ATO is making greater use of data matching and technology to identify errors, inconsistencies and unusual activity in tax reporting. For businesses and individuals, this means it is more important than ever to make sure your records are accurate and your tax obligations are up to date. Here are some of the key areas attracting ATO attention in 2026–27. Income and ATO data matching The ATO receives information from banks, employers, government agencies, online platforms an

There are important changes on the horizon for Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs), including the new Division 296 super tax from 1 July 2026 and a broader package of reforms designed to strengthen consumer protections in the SMSF sector. Division 296 – New Tax on Larger Super Balances One of the most significant changes is the introduction of Division 296, which applies from 1 July 2026. The new rules impose additional tax on certain superannuation earnings for individ

When the 2026–27 Federal Budget was handed down in May, it included some significant proposed changes affecting family trusts, investors, businesses and individuals. Several measures have now become law, while others have been revised or remain under consultation. Here’s a recap of the key changes and what they may mean for you. STILL SUBJECT TO LEGISLATION Family Trusts One of the most significant Budget announcements was the proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary or fami

The ATO is sharpening its focus on how taxpayers generating income from personal services deal with that income for tax purposes. In a recent Spotlight bulletin, Small Business Assistant Commissioner Tony Poulakis highlighted the release of Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2025/5. This guideline clarifies the ATO’s compliance approach to the “alienation” of personal services income (PSI) — essentially, arrangements which involve routing income earned through your personal s

The Government’s Division 296 tax came into effect on 1 July 2026, and will be applied from 30 June 2027 to super fund members, where an individual member has a >$3M super balance across all funds. Although FY27 will be the first year the ATO will issue additional tax assessments to members who are required to pay Division 296 tax, there are things which need to be done at 30 June 2026 which may help minimise the impact of any Division 296 tax payable in FY27 and future yea

After more than 53 years with Sullivan Dewing and over 50 years as a Chartered Accountant, our Founder, Terry Dewing, has officially retired. On 1 July, our team had the privilege of celebrating Terry with a special luncheon, joined by his wife, family and the people who have worked alongside him, learned from him and been shaped by his leadership. Terry’s career has been extraordinary. Not only for the businesses he has helped build, the clients he has guided, or the contrib

IMPORTANT CLIENT NOTICE New AML/CTF Compliance Requirements from 1 July 2026 From 1 July 2026, a range of Australian professional service providers including accountants, lawyers, solicitors, and real estate agents will be subject to new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws. As a result, Sullivan Dewing will be regulated by AUSTRAC and, in certain circumstances, will be required to verify the identity of clients before providing specific

The ATO has announced a significant update that will affect anyone using electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for work or fleet purposes and where the vehicle is charged at the relevant individual’s home. From 1 April 2026 (for FBT purposes) or from 1 July 2026 (for income tax purposes), the ATO’s standard home-charging electricity rate will increase from 4.20 cents per kilometre to 5.47 cents. This rate acts as a simple, ATO-approved shortcut w

If you own a holiday home, or are considering purchasing one, two recent developments could significantly impact your tax position. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently released new guidance on holiday home deductions, while the Federal Government announced changes to negative gearing for future property purchases. While these measures were introduced for different reasons, together they create an important shift for holiday home owners and investors. A Significant C

The annual concessional contribution (CC) cap will increase from $30,000 to $32,500 from 1 July 2026. The annual non-concessional contribution (NCC) cap will also increase to $130,000. When considering contribution opportunities some individuals may have higher caps due to the carry forward CC rules or the NCC bring forward rules, while others with higher super balances may have a reduced or nil NCC cap. This will depend on your total superannuation balance (TSB) at the prior

It’s that time of the year again! If you haven’t started tidying up your financial affairs before the end of the financial year, you’d better get cracking. Here are some tips to help you get started. Superannuation Pay all superannuation before 30 June 2026 in order to claim a tax deduction this year. We suggest to pay today in order to allow the clearing house time to process before 30 June. If processed late then the contributions count towards next year’s contribution ca

Thank you to everyone who joined our 2026 Federal Budget Webinar on Wednesday 27 May 2026. Jeni Wilcock and Heather Locker hosted a practical session discussing the key announcements from the 2026 Federal Budget and what the proposed changes may mean for property investors, trusts, businesses, and individuals. The webinar focused on the proposed changes to: Negative gearing Capital gains tax Trust taxation rules The session included practical examples, planning considerat

May 2026 Federal Budget Summary SIGNIFICANT TAX CHANGES What This Budget Means For You The 2026–27 Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on 12 May 2026, includes significant tax changes that will impact many of you. There is a strong focus on housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures and supporting broader economic stability. Substantial tax and property-related changes have been proposed, particularly for negative gearing, CGT concessions and taxing di

Rising fuel prices continue to place pressure on many Australian businesses — particularly those reliant on transport, logistics and supply chains. In response, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has introduced a targeted payment plan initiative to support eligible businesses struggling to meet their tax obligations due to these increased costs. Who is eligible? To access this support, businesses must hold an ABN and be able to demonstrate that: Increased operating costs ar

We’re proud to share that Sullivan Dewing has been named a finalist in the 2026 Australian Accounting Awards, recognised in three categories: Partner of the Year (Boutique Firm) - Jeni Wilcock SMSF Firm of the Year Boutique Firm of the Year (less than 20 employees) These awards celebrate the individuals and firms shaping the future of the accounting profession across Australia. Being named a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects the impact of the work being done

The Federal Government has announced a $1 billion zero-interest loan scheme to support businesses impacted by the recent fuel crisis and supply chain disruptions. If your business has been affected by rising fuel costs or related pressures, this may be worth exploring. What’s on offer 0% interest loans (you only repay the principal) Up to $5 million for many small to medium businesses Designed for industries such as transport, logistics, fuel, manufacturing, and a