​Self managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) can offer significant flexibility, allowing the members to make investments and enter arrangements that may not be available through retail or industry superannuation funds. However, being an SMSF trustee does come with important responsibilities to ensure that all dealings comply with superannuation law.

​The ATO has issued a Draft Taxation Determination TD 2026/D1 which looks at how inherited family homes are treated for CGT purposes. Some industry commentators have dubbed it a “death tax by stealth”, but it is a bit more complex than this. The draft guidance focuses on a specific aspect of the rules around applying the main residence exemption to inherited properties, potentially exposing deceased estates and beneficiaries to significant tax if not planned correctly.

Here’s what you need to know in practical terms.

Running a business from home, whether as a sole trader, freelancer, or small operator, has many perks. But when it comes to selling your home and potentially saving on tax, recent guidance from the ATO serves as a reality check.

​Running a successful business is hard work—and sometimes, despite best intentions, tax obligations slip. If the business is being operated through a company structure, then the ATO can potentially issue a Director Penalty Notice (DPN), holding company directors personally liable for unpaid taxes.

​In 2024–25, DPNs skyrocketed by 136%, reaching over 84,000 notices, affecting directors of around 64,000 companies. The stakes are high, and now the Tax Ombudsman is reviewing how the ATO issues and manages these notices, a development all directors should take seriously.

​If you are in a business partnership - have you considered what would happen to the ownership you hold in your business, if something was to happen to you or your business partner/s?

Have you thought about running the business with your partner’s family if the partner is no longer here, or capable?

We have heard many times that “if my partner died, there’s no way I would want to have to deal with their husband/wife telling me how to run my business!”

So how do we avoid this problem? Here’s a case study to show you how it can be done.

​When clients sell a long-held family home, they may be able to channel part of the proceeds into superannuation by using the downsizer contribution rules.

​As a business owner or investor, time is always tight. So it’s no surprise many people now turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for quick answers on tax deductions, super contributions or structuring ideas. The responses sound confident, arrive instantly and cost nothing. What could go wrong?

Plenty.

​Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice. By late 2025, they account for more than 8% of new car sales in Australia, driven in no small part by generous tax incentives. One of the most significant is the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount, introduced in mid-2022. For many businesses and employees, it has materially reduced the cost of owning or leasing an EV.

That said, the rules are now under review. While no immediate changes are proposed, this is an important moment to understand the benefits, assess whether they suit your circumstances, and consider timing.

​For many Australians, a holiday home does double duty. It’s a place to escape with family and friends, and during the rest of the year it’s listed on Airbnb or Stayz to help cover the costs.

Until recently, many owners assumed they could claim most of the usual deductions for the property without much trouble, as long as appropriate apportionments were made. However, that position is now under more scrutiny than ever following the release of some new draft guidance documents by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) - TR 2025/D1, PCG 2025/D6 and PCG 2025/D7.

At the recent IPA National Congress, the ATO made one thing very clear: they’re tightening their approach to small business compliance. With a reported $27.2 billion small business tax gap, the ATO says it’s time for businesses to get back on track with timely lodgements, accurate reporting and consistent engagement.