Category: Economy and Policy

More than $29 billion in temporary business and personal income tax cuts, a $33 billion boost for care services and $4 billion more for training programs, are at the core of the government’s budget which aims to create 250,000 jobs by the end of 2022 and drive the unemployment rate below 5%.

Fringe benefits tax (FBT) is one of Australia’s most disliked taxes because it’s cumbersome and generates a lot of paperwork. The COVID-19 lockdowns have added another layer of complexity as many work patterns and behaviours changed.

Legislation that passed through Parliament last month prevents taxpayers from claiming a deduction for expenses incurred for holding vacant land. The amendments are not only retrospective but go beyond purely vacant land.

The ATO’s recently released interpretation of the tax treatment of capital gains distributed by an Australian discretionary trust to non-resident beneficiaries will have a significant negative impact for some.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is widely tipped to reduce interest rates again to historic lows. Easton Wealth economist Emmanuel Calligeris explores the impact. Australia and world volatility The ongoing trade war between the US and China has dominated financial market movements recently. The last two trading months have seen increased market volatility. In July,Read More »

Ten million hectares, lives lost, wildlife on the brink, billions in lost revenue and clean-up costs. For many, returning life to normal is a long way off this summer. We summarise the help available to those impacted by the bushfires.