Simmons Livingstone & Associates

Simmons Livingstone & Associates Simmons Livingstone & Associates are a proactive and forward thinking accounting firm committed to offering a highly personalised and innovative approach.

If you own a holiday home that’s also rented out, the tax rules are changing - and the ATO is taking a much closer look....
23/06/2026

If you own a holiday home that’s also rented out, the tax rules are changing - and the ATO is taking a much closer look.

From 1 July 2026, some properties may lose access to deductions like mortgage interest, rates, insurance and maintenance if the ATO determines the home is primarily used for personal holidays rather than genuine income production. Your rental income, however, will still be taxable.

Simply listing the property on Airbnb is no longer enough. The ATO will be looking at how the property is actually used, especially during peak holiday periods.

If you own a holiday property, now is the time to review your setup before the transition period ends.

📞 1800 618 800 📧 [email protected]

The structure that worked when you started, may not be working now.With new tax and regulatory changes coming from 1 Jul...
18/06/2026

The structure that worked when you started, may not be working now.

With new tax and regulatory changes coming from 1 July 2026, now is the time to review whether your business structure still makes sense.

As profits, assets and responsibilities grow, the wrong structure can cost you more in tax, risk and missed opportunities.

If you haven’t reviewed your setup in a while, it’s worth a conversation.

📞 1800 618 800 📧 [email protected]

The rules of the family trust are changing, and for many Australians, so is the tax strategy behind them.From 1 July 202...
08/06/2026

The rules of the family trust are changing, and for many Australians, so is the tax strategy behind them.

From 1 July 2028, discretionary trusts will face a minimum 30% tax rate - significantly reducing the long-standing benefits of income splitting across family members.

Translation? The “keep it in the family” tax advantage may not work the way it used to.

A few key things to know:
• Existing family trusts are not grandfathered
• Company beneficiary strategies are also being targeted
• Asset protection benefits still remain
• A restructuring window opens in July 2027

2028 might sound far away, but smart planning starts now - not when everyone else is scrambling.

If you have a family trust, it’s worth reviewing your structure sooner rather than later.

📞 1800 618 800 or simmonslivingstone.com.au/contact-us/

From tax cuts and easier deductions to major changes for investors, trusts and small businesses, the 2026 Budget comes w...
02/06/2026

From tax cuts and easier deductions to major changes for investors, trusts and small businesses, the 2026 Budget comes with a few strings attached (and a few savings too).

A few headline acts:
• Tax cuts from July 2026
• $1,000 work expense claim - no receipt scavenger hunt required
• Capital gains tax changes from 2027
• Permanent $20k instant asset write-off for small business
• Big trust structure changes on the horizon

Some measures still need to pass through parliament, but if you own investments, run a business or have a family trust, timing now matters.

Budgeting just got more interesting.

👉 Contact our team on 1800 618 800 or visit simmonslivingstone.com.au/contact-us/ to discuss your situation.

Last Thursday, the Simmons Livingstone team proudly took part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, coming together to rai...
28/05/2026

Last Thursday, the Simmons Livingstone team proudly took part in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, coming together to raise funds for a cause that is close to many of us.

Thanks to the generosity of our team, clients and supporters, we’ve raised $781 so far, with donations still coming in. Every contribution helps support vital cancer research, prevention programs, advocacy and support services for Australians impacted by cancer.

We’re proud to support the Cancer Council each year through the Biggest Morning Tea initiative and to play a small part in helping make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

To make a contribution, visit: www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/CareyBatchelor

Cash flow keeps a business alive – but shortcuts always catch up.The ATO is actively targeting businesses underreporting...
26/05/2026

Cash flow keeps a business alive – but shortcuts always catch up.

The ATO is actively targeting businesses underreporting income, skipping GST and PAYG, and paying workers off the books. The penalties aren't just financial, compliance investigations can disrupt your entire operation.

It also hurts the people you employ. Workers miss out on super, insurance, and basic protections they're entitled to.

If your books need a second look, our team can help you get ahead of it, before the ATO does.

👉 Contact our team on 1800 618 800 or visit simmonslivingstone.com.au/contact-us/ to discuss your situation.

A scheme designed to help first home buyers into the market may also be doing something else… nudging prices up 🏠📈New da...
20/05/2026

A scheme designed to help first home buyers into the market may also be doing something else… nudging prices up 🏠📈

New data shows homes eligible under the five per cent deposit scheme have outpaced broader market growth, rising 6.7% in the first six months since changes were introduced, compared with 3.6% for other properties.

With more buyers able to enter at the lower end of the market, competition in that bracket has heated up — and prices have followed.

While the scheme is helping more people take their first step onto the ladder, it’s also showing how quickly demand can shift the rungs 🪜

👉 If you’re navigating the property market or weighing up your next move, speak to the team at Simmons Livingstone - 1800 618 800 or visit simmonslivingstone.com.au/contact-us/

With two RBA cuts already in 2026 and more potentially on the way, the question borrowers are sitting with right now is:...
14/05/2026

With two RBA cuts already in 2026 and more potentially on the way, the question borrowers are sitting with right now is: do I fix, or do I stay variable?

There's no universal right answer – it depends on your loan size, how long you plan to hold, and your tolerance for rate movement.

What we do know is that 'set and forget' isn't a strategy in this market. A 30-minute conversation with our mortgage team could save you thousands over the life of your loan.

👉 Thinking about your options? Chat with us to review your rate and see what makes sense for you - 1800 618 800 or visit simmonslivingstone.com.au/contact-us/

Happy Mother's Day to the ones who've always had a plan, even when no one else knew there was one.The budgeting before i...
10/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day to the ones who've always had a plan, even when no one else knew there was one.

The budgeting before it was budgeting. The quiet problem-solving at the kitchen table. The 'don't worry, I've already sorted it' that kept everything on track.

It's a kind of financial intelligence that doesn't get talked about enough.

From all of us at Simmons Livingstone & Associates – thank you. Today and every day.

30 June is closer than it feels, and the decisions you make in the next few weeks can meaningfully change your tax posit...
05/05/2026

30 June is closer than it feels, and the decisions you make in the next few weeks can meaningfully change your tax position.

Here's what's worth looking at before EOFY:

✅ Prepay deductible expenses (subscriptions, insurance, rent)
✅ Top up your super – concessional contributions are capped at $30,000
✅ Write off bad debts before 30 June
✅ Review any asset purchases you've been sitting on
✅ Check your income against last year – there may be opportunities to defer

This isn't a checklist you want to rush at the end of June. Talk to us today.

📞 1800 618 800 | simmonslivingstone.com.au/contact-us/

Address

30/340 Hope Island Road
Gold Coast, QLD
4212

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61755618800

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