As business owners get older and contemplate slowing down the question they often ask is ‘who is going to buy my business?’ However, selling the business is not the only succession strategy that should be considered. We often find that when we inform clients of the real value of their business they then realise that […]
The recent Reserve Bank increases to interest rates naturally create anxiety for those with home and investment loans. For quite some time, interest rates have been at unprecedented lows due to the Global Financial Crisis and the need to stimulate the economy. Inevitably, however, they must return to more natural levels. The last two rate […]
One of the most talked about aspects of the Fair Work Act is the unfair dismissal changes. They apply to all businesses although some concessions are made for small businesses. Unfair dismissal claims may include the circumstance where the dismissal was for reasons of performance related (poor performance) issues. Complying with the law The law […]
When purchasing a business, it is not unusual for the purchaser to be well into the acquisition before realising that there are key issues which were not contemplated either: during the early stages of their decision to acquire the business or around the time the business is transferred. The implications of such ‘surprises’ can range […]
Transition to Retirement Income Streams (TRIS) A TRIS is available to anyone who has reached their preservation age. Currently a member aged 55 or over can access their superannuation benefits while still working via a TRIS. If you were born before 1 July 1960 your preservation age is 55 and rises to 60 for those […]
Whilst always important, reviewing the investment strategy of your SMSF in these turbulent times, is even more critical so that the best possible investment choices can be made. Trustees need to prepare and implement an investment strategy that is centred on the requirements of the fund and its members. The strategy should enable the trustees […]
In our last newsletter we commented on how quickly things can change. None of us thought at that stage we would see the events of the last few months. However, the observations of massive change are not particularly helpful in themselves. The question is, what does this change mean for you. It is crucial that […]
In general, trustees of SMSFs are unable to acquire assets from related parties and may only maintain ‘in-house assets’ (i.e., assets involving dealings with related parties) when their value is less than 5% of the total value of the fund’s assets. However, an exclusion to these requirements applies in relation to ‘business real property’. When […]
Recent volatility in the world investment markets can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety for investors. At such a time, risks can be taken causing the loss of long-term, well earned benefits. Market downturns are inevitable and it is impossible to predict movements accurately. Moving in cycles It might be tempting to move money out […]
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recently released two new interpretative decisions relating to Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). They concern the payment of money to an employee’s associate (e.g. a spouse) and to an organisations social club and whether those payments attract FBT. A ‘fringe benefit’ is a benefit provided by an employer to an employee […]
Saward Dawson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Level 1, 20 Albert Street, Blackburn VIC 3130
PO Box 1212, Blackburn North VIC 3130
contact@sawarddawson.com.au | +61 3 9894 2500
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
