Blog
2016-17 budget superannuation reforms
Nov 11, 2016
On 9 November 2016, the Government introduced legislation to implement its 2016-17 Budget superannuation reforms. The package of superannuation bills has been referred to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee for report by 14 February 2017. One of the bills...
US Election & Australian Markets
Nov 11, 2016
Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States of America. This surprising election result has unsettled markets across the world. Count Financial Limited have prepared a market watch article summarising Trump's policy priorities and giving some insight...
Oliver’s Insights – Five ways to help manage the noise and turn down the worry list
Oct 26, 2016
Dr Shane Oliver, the AMP's Chief Economist and Head of Investment Strategy and Economics, is responsible for AMP Capital's diversified investment funds. He also provides economic forecasts and analysis of key variables and issues affecting, or likely to affect, all...
Postcodes with the most lost super
Oct 1, 2016
According to ATO data released in August 2016, $11.7bn is sitting in lost super accounts. Super is considered 'lost' when a fund is unable to contact the individual and hasn't received a contribution to an account for 5 years. The ATO reports that the postcode with...
The deadline for small businesses to be SuperStream compliant is drawing near
Sep 30, 2016
The next due date for quarterly SGC super contributions is 28 October 2016 and you need to be SuperStream ready to make this contribution. What Are The New Requirements? Under the new SuperStream system, the contribution information and the payment must be submitted...
New withholding obligations for Australian real estate
Sep 30, 2016
The new Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding (FRCGW) regime commenced on 1 July 2016 and imposes withholding obligations on purchasers of certain assets which are classified as Taxable Australian Property (TAP). TAP includes direct interests in land, leases and...
5 financial challenges that women face
Aug 31, 2016
Are you a woman who would like to grow your wealth and save for the future? Do you sometimes feel that it’s impossible to get ahead? If that sounds like you these could be some of the reasons why. Read the full article
Borrowing to invest with your SMSF – Part 2
Jul 25, 2016
Criteria for borrowing within an SMSF For the trustee of an SMSF to be permitted to borrow for investment purposes the borrowing must be set up under an arrangement that satisfies certain criteria. These include that: The loan is used to purchase an allowable asset...
Superannuation policy up in the air
Jul 22, 2016
The main superannuation policy changes proposed by the Coalition going into the recent election are summarised below. The most controversial of these changes is the introduction of a lifetime non-concessional contributions cap of $500,000 that includes any...
What does Brexit mean for the financial markets?
Jul 21, 2016
On Friday 24 June news came through that Britain had voted to 'Leave' the European Union (EU) 52 - 48 per cent. But the debate about the implications for economies and financial markets is just beginning. For an overview of what this may mean for you take a look at...
It’s time to lodge your tax return
Jul 21, 2016
As the new financial year commences consider getting in early with your 2015-16 tax return information so you can lodge this sooner rather than later. A reminder of documents you may need to compile to complete your tax return: Payment Summaries from your employer and...
Borrowing to invest with your SMSF – Part 1
Jul 11, 2016
Many investors borrow to invest. But did you know that Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) are also a vehicle to borrow for investment purposes? This means that your SMSF can borrow to acquire assets that it may not otherwise be able to afford, such as...