Sciacca's Accountants + Advisers

15/10/2026

“Should we set up a self-managed super fund?” It’s one of the questions we’re often asked. The answer depends on what you want from your super.

A self-managed super fund offers control. You decide how your savings are invested, and you can hold assets many large funds don’t, such as direct property or shares.

That control comes with responsibility. As trustees, members are accountable for the fund’s investment strategy, record keeping, annual audit and compliance with super law. It takes time, and a willingness to stay across the rules as they change.

For some people, that trade-off is a good one. For others, a retail or industry fund may be a better fit.

13/10/2026

Tax, super, investments and your estate plan are all connected, and a decision in one area tends to ripple through to the others. When each is handled separately, it’s easy for the connections to be missed.

At Sciacca’s, accounting, tax and financial planning sit under one roof, so we can look at your situation as a whole rather than in parts.

At life’s bigger moments, whether that’s selling a property, stepping towards retirement or helping your children find their feet, it’s good to have one team alongside you.

08/10/2026

Here are the important dates for small business owners in October:

✅ 21 October - Pay your annual PAYG instalment notice. Lodge only if you vary the instalment amount or use the rate method to calculate the instalment.
✅ 21 October - Lodge and pay your September 2026 monthly business activity statement.
✅ 28 October - Lodge and pay quarter 1, 2026-27 BAS if electing to receive and lodge by paper.
✅ 28 October - Pay quarter 1, 2026-27 instalment notice. Lodge the notice only if you vary the instalment amount.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like help.

06/10/2026

As your wealth grows, your financial life can become more complex. Multiple super accounts. Investment properties. Shares. Bank accounts. Insurance. Different advisers.

You can be financially successful and still feel like your finances are all over the place. Having wealth is one thing. Knowing how all the pieces fit together is another.

If your financial life has become a little complicated, a conversation with a Sciacca’s Financial Planner can help bring everything into perspective.

01/10/2026

Are you still working because you want to, or because you need to?

For many people in their 50s, the goal isn't necessarily to stop working completely. It might be having the financial freedom to reduce your hours, change direction or simply say no to work that no longer suits you.

Financial planning can be about creating that choice.

29/09/2026

Thinking about downsizing? If you're 55 or older, selling the family home may open the door to contributing up to $300,000 of the proceeds directly into superannuation ($600,000 for a couple). This is known as a downsizer contribution, and it sits outside the usual super contribution caps.

There are conditions to meet, including having owned the home for at least 10 years. The contribution also counts toward your total super balance and transfer balance cap, which can affect your pension eligibility and future contribution options.

24/09/2026

If you’re deciding whether to hold or sell your investment property, here are a few questions to consider:

🏘️ Is the property generating a reasonable income, growing in value, or costing more than it returns each month?
🏘️ Does the property still align with your broader financial plan?
🏘️ Have your circumstances and appetite for risk changed?
🏘️ What is the true cost of selling?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for help understanding precisely where you stand, so that you can make an informed decision and plan for the future.

22/09/2026

We've talked a lot about the legislative changes that could affect you as an investor. Here's exactly what's changing.

From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount that's applied since 1999 will be replaced with a new system: cost base indexation combined with a minimum tax on the real gain. In practice, this changes how much tax is payable when an investment property is eventually sold.

Negative gearing is changing too. From 1 July 2027, losses on established residential properties purchased after 12 May 2026 will only be deductible against rental income or capital gains from residential property - not against salary and wages, as is currently the case.

If you hold an investment property, or are considering one, these changes are worth factoring into your planning now, well ahead of the effective date (which is closer than it might seem).

17/09/2026

If you own an investment property, there's a good chance this question has crossed your mind more than once lately. Between the recent changes to capital gains tax, interest rates that have been anything but predictable, and a property market that continues to shift, it's worth stepping back and looking at the facts before drawing any conclusions.

If you own an investment property, there's a good chance this question has crossed your mind more than once lately. Between the recent changes to capital gains tax, interest rates that have been anything but predictable, and a property market that continues to shift, it's worth stepping back and loo...

15/09/2026

How much do you actually need to retire comfortably? 🤔

According to the latest ASFA Retirement Standard, a comfortable retirement - think private health insurance, a reliable car, regular travel and the ability to enjoy your lifestyle - costs around $54,800 a year for a single person, or $77,400 for a couple. To fund that ongoing cost, ASFA estimates you'd need to have saved roughly $630,000 (single) or $730,000 (couple) by the time you retire.

These figures assume you own your home outright and will receive a part Age Pension to supplement your savings - so the right number for you will depend on your own circumstances, lifestyle expectations and existing assets.