Reflection | Jane Clark Financial Management

Tax Deductions, Budget Changes, and Smart Refund Strategies

Reflection / June 25, 2026 June 24, 2026

Tax season is back, and this year it comes with more than the usual receipt hunt. Beyond the deductions you can claim right now, the 2026-27 Federal Budget has tabled some of the biggest tax changes in years, from a proposed $1,000 instant deduction to a major overhaul of negative gearing and capital gains tax. Most of it is not law yet, but knowing what is coming can shape how you plan your finances and your next refund.

The Tax Ruling That Could Affect Every Family Trust in Australia

Reflection, Tax Planning / June 18, 2026 June 16, 2026

The High Court’s recent decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Bendel marks a significant shift in tax law, confirming that an Unpaid Present Entitlement (UPE) owed to a corporate beneficiary is an equitable right rather than a "loan" under Division 7A rules. While this ruling offers welcome relief for many taxpayers who use family trusts, it is far from a "get out of jail free" card; the decision relies on specific legal facts and does not shield taxpayers from other critical integrity provisions like Section 100A and Subdivision EA. As the Australian Taxation Office prepares updated guidance, trust owners should look past the headlines and understand that their tax obligations remain deeply dependent on their specific trust deeds, historical conduct, and how funds are truly being distributed within their group.

Preparing for the 2027 Capital Gains Tax Changes

Investment, Property, Reflection, Tax Planning / June 11, 2026 June 9, 2026

For years, many of us relied on a simple 'buy and hold' approach to investing, trusting that time and standard tax discounts would naturally take care of the rest. However, the capital gains tax (CGT) reforms proposed for 1 July 2027 are about to fundamentally rewrite the rulebook for Australian investors. Moving far beyond just the property market, these sweeping changes will impact shares, managed funds, and business interests, introducing significant new factors like a 30% minimum tax rate that could easily catch modest income earners off guard. This guide cuts through the noise to explain what these reforms mean for your portfolio, outlining the proactive strategies you need to protect your hard-earned wealth.

Australia’s Biggest CGT Shake-Up in Decades is Coming

Reflection, Tax Planning / May 28, 2026 May 27, 2026

The 2026-27 Federal Budget has proposed the most significant overhaul of Australia's capital gains tax system in nearly three decades. From 1 July 2027, the familiar 50 per cent CGT discount, a cornerstone of investment planning since 1999, is set to be replaced by an inflation-adjusted indexation model accompanied by a new 30 per cent minimum tax on real gains. For property investors, shareholders, and anyone sitting on long-held assets, the changes will fundamentally alter how investment returns are calculated and taxed. With transitional rules, new build carve-outs, and the surprise inclusion of pre-1985 legacy assets all forming part of the package, understanding the detail now, well ahead of the 2027 start date, will be essential.

Is Your Family Trust Facing a Minimum 30% Tax Rate?

Reflection / May 21, 2026 May 19, 2026

The 2026-27 Federal Budget has put family trusts firmly in the government's crosshairs. If proposed new rules become law, trustees of discretionary trusts will be required to pay a flat 30 per cent minimum tax on trust income from 1 July 2028. This is a fundamental departure from the income-splitting flexibility that has made these structures so attractive to Australian families and small business owners for decades. With bucket company arrangements effectively penalised, transitional rollover relief on the horizon, and the fixed trust distinction harder to satisfy than many assume, the implications are wide-ranging. Here is what you need to know.

Federal Budget 2026-27

Reflection / May 14, 2026 May 13, 2026

The 2026-27 Federal Budget has landed with some of the most significant structural tax changes in a generation. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has overhauled the rules for property investors, winding back negative gearing to new builds only and replacing the long-standing 50% capital gains tax discount with inflation-indexed gains and a 30% minimum tax rate. Family trusts face a new 30% minimum tax from 2028, while workers get a $250 permanent tax offset and an immediate $1,000 work-related deduction. For motorists, fuel excise has been temporarily halved and the electric vehicle FBT exemption is being phased out over three years. Here is what it all means for your finances.

The Psychology of Grief and Wealth

Estate Planning, Reflection / April 30, 2026 April 30, 2026

When a loved one passes away, the profound emotional weight of grief can make financial decision-making incredibly difficult. The shock of bereavement can overwhelm individuals, sometimes leading them to spend an inheritance quickly to avoid painful reminders, or freeze completely out of a fear of making the wrong choice. Traditional estate planning focuses purely on the distribution of assets, often ignoring this heavy emotional toll. To truly support your family, a modern wealth transfer strategy must include a built-in psychological safety net. By implementing practical legal structures and clear communication, you can shield your loved ones from the immediate pressures of sudden wealth and give them the breathing space they need during their toughest days.

Why ‘Seeing is Believing’ is a Financial Risk in 2026

Investment, Reflection / April 23, 2026 April 21, 2026

Scammers are no longer easy to spot. In 2026, artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed the nature of online investment fraud, enabling criminals to produce seamless deepfake videos of trusted public figures, build polished fake trading platforms, and even hide their activity from the social media systems designed to stop them. In response, Australia's financial regulator removed nearly 12,000 scam websites in a single year, a record, yet the threat continues to grow. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.

Does Your Super Need a Review?

Reflection, Superannuation / April 16, 2026 April 13, 2026

Most people assume their super will quietly take care of itself, especially as retirement approaches. But what if the default settings guiding your investments are no longer suited to the way we live today? With longer life expectancies and decades to fund after work ends, the decisions being made inside your super right now could have a bigger impact than you realise.

The Overlooked Deadline in Family Trusts

Financial Planning, Reflection / April 9, 2026 April 8, 2026

Families across Australia rely on trusts to protect their hard-earned wealth and pass assets down to the next generation, often viewing these structures as permanent safety nets. However, many trusts contain a hidden expiry date known as a "vesting date". Passing this milestone unchecked does not cause the trust to simply vanish, but it can unexpectedly strip trustees of their decision-making power and trigger a messy web of tax obligations. Before assuming your financial setup is secure indefinitely, taking the time to uncover the lifespan written into your original deed could save your family from a costly administrative headache.