End of Financial Year

Clear Vision • August 3, 2015

Tax Questionnaires
We are starting to send out our Year End Questionnaires – and will do throughout the year according to when work has been scheduled.
The questionnaires have gone through a “make-over” and should be fast and user friendly.
The questionnaires can be sent back with your tax work using Hightail. Hightail is a secure online drop box, that allows files to be sent electronically. This is especially handy when the files are too large to email. We will provide a link to Hightail in our email or letter, all you have to do is attach your file – it couldn’t be easier. We are more than happy to help if you need some assistance.

Medical Expenses Tax Offset
The 2014-2015 tax year is the final year the tax offset for medical expenses can be claimed. To be able to claim this taxpayers have had to claim it in both 2012-2013 & 2013-2014 tax years.
For the 2015-2016 tax year taxpayers can claim this if they incur payments for:
1. relates to an aid for a person with a disability; or
2. relates to services rendered by a person as an attendant of a person with a disability; or
3. relates to care provided by an approved provider (within the meaning of the Aged Care Act 1997) of a person who:
(i) is approved as a care recipient under that Act; or
(ii) is a continuing care recipient within the meaning of that Act.
This means for most people there is no need to keep records for out of pocket medical records from 1 July 2015.

Are You Turning 50?
Contribution caps for SMSF’s have not changed this financial year except for those turning 50 in this tax year.
If you are turning 50 in this financial year your concessional cap will increase to $35,000 from 1 July 2015.
Just a quick reminder of the contribution caps:
Concessional – under 49 years $30,000
Concessional – 49 years or over $35,000
Non-concessional – standard $180,000
Non-concessional – bring forward mode $540,000

Office Gossip…
Karen has had a baby girl! Karen & Zane are now proud parents to 2 daughters…should keep them busy for the next 20 years or so!!

By Caroline Gillies March 26, 2026
More data doesn’t mean better decisions. Many business owners are drowning in numbers but starving for direction, tracking everything and understanding nothing. The result? Decisions based on gut feel, cash flow surprises, and growth that looks good on paper but doesn’t actually strengthen the business. Vanity metrics can be misleading. Total revenue, website traffic, or social media likes might feel positive, but they don’t always reflect real performance or profitability.  Real KPIs tell a different story. They give you clarity, control, and confidence in your decisions. While every business is different and the right KPIs will vary, here are some examples of powerful KPIs businesses often track: • Profit Margin – Are you actually making money? • Cash Flow – Do you have enough cash to operate and grow? • Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) – What does it cost to win a new customer? • Debtor Days – How quickly are you getting paid? • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) – How much is each customer worth over time? If you’re not tracking the right numbers for your business, you’re essentially flying blind. Because success isn’t about more data—it’s about the right data.
By Caroline Gillies March 1, 2026
From 1 July 2026, the Federal Government will introduce one of the most significant changes to superannuation administration in recent years: “Payday Super.” These reforms fundamentally shift how and when employers meet their Superannuation Guarantee (SG) obligations. What’s Changing? Under the new rules, SG contributions must be paid at the same time as salary and wages and received by the employee’s super fund within seven business days of payday. This replaces the current quarterly payment system. The changes apply to all eligible employees, including those captured under the expanded definition of “employee,” and extend to salary sacrifice amounts and other qualifying earnings (QE). Employers will calculate SG at the legislated 12% rate on QE, which includes ordinary time earnings and relevant additional payments. Contributions remain subject to the Maximum Contribution Base, limiting employer liability to approximately $30,000 per employee per financial year. Employers will also be required to report QE and SG liabilities through Single Touch Payroll (STP), enabling the ATO to monitor compliance more closely and identify underpayments earlier. Operational Impact for Employers The shift to payday reporting and payment means payroll systems must be updated to calculate, process, and remit super contributions each pay cycle. Businesses will need to ensure their software can manage QE calculations and facilitate timely electronic payments to super funds. Cash flow management will also require attention, particularly for small businesses accustomed to quarterly payments. Super will become a real-time obligation rather than a periodic liability. Importantly, failure to meet the new deadlines will trigger the revised Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), including penalties and interest. While late contributions and SGC amounts remain tax deductible, interest and penalties do not. Employers currently using the Small Business Superannuation Clearing House must transition to alternative payment solutions before its closure on 30 June 2026. Preparing Now Although implementation begins in 2026, early preparation is essential. Reviewing payroll systems, assessing cash flow impact, and updating internal processes will help ensure a smooth transition and minimise compliance risk. Payday Super represents a move toward greater transparency and timeliness, but it also demands proactive planning from employers. If you would like assistance preparing your business for Payday Super, our team at Clear Vision Accountancy Group is here to help. Please contact us on 4688 2500 to discuss how we can support your transition and ensure you remain compliant. We drew inspiration for this article from the ATO
By Caroline Gillies December 11, 2025
The ATO is cracking down on people who claim too many tax deductions for properties that they use both personally and as rentals — especially holiday homes. A new draft ruling says that if you use a property for both personal use and renting it out, you must split (apportion) the expenses in a fair and reasonable way. You can only claim deductions for the portion of time or space used to earn rental income. If the ATO thinks your property is really a holiday home — for example, you block out peak times for your own use and only rent it occasionally — they can classify it as a “leisure facility.” If that happens, you cannot claim big expenses like mortgage interest, council rates, land tax or maintenance. You’ll only be allowed to claim small costs like cleaning, advertising and platform/agent fees. The ATO says many owners of holiday homes have been claiming too much by showing “rental losses” every year. They are now looking more closely at cases where the owner keeps the property unavailable for rent during busy periods.  How do I stay off the ATO naughty list? If you mix personal use with rental use, be careful. Only claim the rental part of your expenses, or the ATO may deny most of your deductions.