Tax-Aware Financial Planning
Structuring ownership, contributions and investments with their tax consequences in view — in collaboration with your accountant.
Why tax belongs inside the plan
Tax planning is not about making decisions solely for a deduction. It is about ensuring each financial decision is made with its tax consequences understood.
The ownership structure of an investment — individual, joint, company, trust or superannuation — can have a significant impact on tax, both during the investment period and when it is eventually sold. Holding investments within superannuation, for example, means earnings are taxed at a maximum of 15%, and 0% in the retirement phase, allowing more of each return to compound.
We integrate tax considerations into your broader financial plan and work alongside your accountant, so the investment, superannuation, tax and estate planning pieces are considered together rather than separately.
Strategies we consider
- Superannuation contributions — tax-deductible contributions can lower taxable income while building retirement savings in a concessionally taxed environment
- Gearing strategies — borrowing to invest in growth assets, where interest expenses may be tax-deductible, weighed carefully against the risks of leverage
- Trust structures — which can distribute income efficiently among family members, where appropriate
- Capital gains tax management — holding an investment for more than 12 months generally halves the CGT payable for individuals, so timing matters
Growth versus income, from a tax perspective
Income investments such as savings accounts and term deposits generate income taxed at your marginal rate each year — which can mean losing a substantial share of the return to tax annually, and missing the full benefit of compounding.
Growth investments such as shares and property can offer tax advantages: franking credits on many Australian shares, allowable deductions against rental income, and capital gains tax deferred until the asset is sold. That deferral keeps investment gains compounding untaxed while they grow.
Common pitfalls we help clients avoid
- Missing superannuation contribution opportunities that could reduce taxable income
- Selling assets at the wrong time and creating a higher CGT liability than necessary
- Overlooking available deductions on investment properties or investment loans
- Holding duplicate superannuation funds and paying unnecessary fees
- Choosing investments for the tax benefit alone, without considering the quality of the investment itself
A transparent process, with fees disclosed upfront
We are paid only by our clients. We receive no third-party payments and do not charge insurance commissions, removing financial conflicts so we can work in your best interest.
Understand your position
An initial discovery meeting, at no cost or obligation, to understand your circumstances, priorities and the decisions in front of you.
Clarify the decisions
We identify what matters most, separate immediate needs from longer-term goals and explain the trade-offs in plain language.
Agree the terms of engagement
Where there is mutual fit, we prepare terms of engagement setting out our approach, how we would work together and the fees involved — disclosed fully, on a 12-month upfront basis, before you commit to anything.
Implement and review
We help put the agreed strategy into practice and review it as markets, legislation and your circumstances change.