EW Accountants

13/05/2026

⚠️ Significant Tax Reforms on the Horizon ⚠️

The 2026–27 Federal Budget includes some of the biggest proposed tax changes in nearly 30 years — covering capital gains tax, negative gearing, trust distributions, superannuation, and EV FBT rules.

As the Budget notes, “many of these changes interact with each other… the combined effect is considerably larger than any single measure on its own.”

🏡 Investors
👩‍💼 Business owners
🧾 Trust beneficiaries
💼 Anyone planning to sell assets
💰 Those with growing super balances

…these proposals could affect you.

📞 If you want to understand how these changes may apply to your situation, get in touch — early planning gives you more options.

19/02/2026

🚀 Keeping our finger on the "Pulse" in Adelaide!
​We are currently at the SMSF Association National Conference, joining hundreds of the country’s leading specialists to dive into the future of self-managed super.

​The theme this year is "Pulse: Powering Momentum," and after the opening sessions, it’s clear why. With the SMSF sector growing at its fastest rate in years, staying ahead of the curve isn't just a choice—it’s a necessity for providing the best advice to my clients.

​What’s been on the agenda:
📚​The Legislative Outlook: Hearing directly from CEO Peter Burgess on the "On the Pulse" updates regarding Division 296 and the latest tax reforms.

🔬​Compliance & Strategy: Deep dives into the ATO’s current focus areas to ensure our funds remain bulletproof.

🤖​The Future of Advice: Exploring how new tech and AI are changing the way we manage SMSF administration and strategy.

​It’s a massive few days of learning and networking with the best minds in the business. I’m looking forward to bringing these insights back to the office to help our clients navigate the complexities of 2026 and beyond.

27/01/2026

🎉 New Year, New Goals — Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?

As we step into a fresh year, it’s the perfect moment to pause and review the structures that protect your wealth, your family, and your future. Estate planning isn’t just about wills — it’s about making sure your assets are managed tax‑effectively and in line with your long‑term intentions.

If you’re considering updates to your estate plan or want clarity around the tax implications of trusts, asset transfers, or succession strategies, I’m here to help you navigate the details with confidence.

📩 Reach out if you’d like to review your estate planning strategy. A well‑structured plan today can make a world of difference tomorrow.

24/12/2025

Wishing all of our wonderful clients a very Merry Christmas and a joyful festive season.
Thank you for your trust, support, and partnership throughout the year — it truly means the world to us.
May the year ahead bring you good health, prosperity, and meaningful moments with the people who matter most.
We look forward to supporting you in 2026 and beyond.

03/12/2025

💡 Thinking about forming an SMSF?
A Self-Managed Super Fund can give you greater control over your retirement savings, but it also comes with serious responsibilities. Before you take the leap, it’s important to understand the rules, trustee obligations, and compliance requirements.
The Australian Taxation Office has a clear step‑by‑step guide to help you navigate the process: 👉 https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/self-managed-super-funds-smsf/setting-up-an-smsf

Forming an SMSF can be empowering, but it’s not for everyone. Make sure you’re informed, prepared, and supported with the right advice.

How to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) correctly to comply with tax and superannuation laws.

28/11/2025

🚨 ATO crackdown alert for SMSF trustees 🚨
The Australian Taxation Office has revealed that over 110,000 SMSFs currently have overdue annual returns, with 24,000 funds never lodging their first return. In fact, more than 300,000 returns remain outstanding across the past three years.
👉 Lodging your SMSF Annual Return (SAR) is not optional – even if your fund had no activity or tax liability. Failure to lodge can lead to:
- Penalties and compliance action
- Loss of SMSF status
- Increased scrutiny from the ATO

💡 If your SMSF is behind, now is the time to act. Our team specialises in SMSF compliance and can help you:
- Catch up on overdue lodgments
- Navigate ATO requirements with confidence
- Protect your fund’s compliance status
✅ Don’t risk your retirement savings. Contact us today to get your SMSF back on track.

24/11/2025

🎄 **Planning Your Staff Christmas Party or Gifts? Don’t Forget the Tax Rules!** 🎁

The festive season is a great time to celebrate your team’s hard work, but the ATO reminds businesses to keep tax implications in mind:

✅ **Christmas Parties**

* **On-site, during a workday**: No FBT for employees if food and drinks are consumed on business premises.
* **Off-site or with guests**: FBT may apply unless the **minor benefits exemption** kicks in (cost per person under $300).
* **Taxi travel**: Exempt if to/from work for on-site parties; counts toward the $300 limit for off-site events.

✅ **Gifts for Staff**

* Keep gifts **under $300 per person** to avoid FBT.
* Gifts like hampers or vouchers are generally fine, but entertainment gifts (e.g., event tickets) may not be deductible.

💡 **Tip**: If your party or gifts are FBT-exempt, you **can’t claim tax deductions or GST credits**. If FBT applies, deductions and credits may be available.

Celebrate smart and stay compliant! For more details, check the ATO’s guidance on Christmas Parties & Gifts -

Examples of how FBT applies to businesses for Christmas parties, recreation days, seminars and other events.

30/10/2025

There's a new tax scam doing the rounds online. Here's what it looks like 👇
If you’re being asked by the ATO to click on a 'DocuSign' link to release your tax return – don’t. It is not them. It's a scam and should be reported.

The ATO do not use DocuSign.

There's a new tax scam doing the rounds online. Here's what it looks like 👇

If you’re being asked by the ATO to click on a 'DocuSign' link to release your tax return – don’t. It's not us.

It’s a scam designed to steal your personal info to:

💰 Commit refund fraud
💰 Access your tax and super details
💰 Sell your identity to organised crime groups

We never use ‘DocuSign’ to finalise tax refunds. If you receive an email like this, here's what you need to do 👇

29/10/2025

💚☕ Grateful to have joined this morning’s Trading Mate Networking Coffee Catch-Up, held in support of Mental Health Month. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow local business owners and reflect on the importance of wellbeing in our work and lives.
A special shoutout to Couch Cairns — the incredible team providing compassionate cancer wellness support across our community. Hearing more about their services was truly inspiring, and it’s heartening to see 100% of raffle proceeds going directly to such a vital cause.
Thanks to Trading Mate for creating space for meaningful conversations, great coffee, and community connection. 🌿✨

💚☕ This Month’s Trading Mate Networking Coffee Morning – Supporting Mental Health Month! ☕💚

We’re so excited to welcome all our www.tradingmate.com.au
members and guests to this month’s FREE Networking Coffee Morning, dedicated to raising awareness for Mental Health Month – a vital reminder for business owners of all sizes to look after themselves as well as their ventures. 🌿✨

Join us for a relaxed and uplifting morning of connection, conversation, and community, where we’ll share ideas, support each other, and celebrate the incredible resilience within our small business network. 🙌

This month, we’re proudly supporting COUCH Cairns (Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health) — with 100% of raffle proceeds going directly to this phenomenal local service that provides essential wellness and cancer support across FNQ. 💚

📅 Wednesday, October 29
🕤 9:30am – 11:00am
📍 On the Verandah at Cairns Harbourside Hotel, 209–217 Esplanade, Cairns North

So grab your business cards, your brightest smile, and join us for great coffee, even better company, and some truly meaningful conversations. ☕💬

🎟️ Book your FREE spot here:
👉 https://events.humanitix.com/mental-health-week-coffee-morning

Let’s keep the conversations flowing — for business, for wellbeing, and for each other. 💛



https://www.tradingmate.com.au/toolbox-talk/2652--this-months-trading-mate-networking-coffee-mo

15/10/2025

📣 Div 296 Update: Key Wins for SMSFs
The government has just announced major revisions to the proposed Div 296 tax — and they’re worth celebrating 🎉

Here’s what’s changed:
✅ Start date deferred
The tax will now commence from 1 July 2026, based on balances at 30 June 2027 — giving more time for consultation and legislative clarity.
✅ Tiered tax thresholds introduced
A progressive model will apply:
- Up to $3M: taxed at 15%
- $3M–$10M: taxed at 30%
- Over $10M: taxed at 40%
✅ Indexation added
Both the $3M and $10M thresholds will be indexed to align with the Transfer Balance Cap and inflation.
✅ Only realised earnings taxed
Unrealised gains are out. The tax will apply only to future realised earnings, easing concerns for SMSFs with illiquid assets.
These changes reflect strong advocacy from the SMSF sector — and a welcome shift toward fairness and practicality.
📌 Treasury will consult further on how realised gains are calculated and attributed.

If you’d like help understanding how this affects your fund, feel free to reach out.