Tax Planning
Tax planning means managing your financial affairs such that the amount of tax you pay is minimised as much as legally possible. The idea is that you pay all the tax you have to – but no more.
Optimising your tax planning unlocks enormous potential for your financial plan. In fact, getting the tax planning right is typically more important to your financial performance than just about any other aspect – including things like choosing the right investment. A good investment can become a bad one if you find yourself with a bigger tax bill than you needed.
Australia’s taxation system is deliberately designed to encourage people to do some things and not do others. This means that when we take advantage of quality tax planning we are actually doing exactly what the community wants us to do.
That said, it can be difficult to know exactly what the community wants you to do! Australia’s taxation rules are complex – in fact, according to the government itself, each Australian faces a potential 125 taxes that they are liable to pay.
This makes it imperative that you seek qualified, quality tax advice provided by someone who is legally allowed to provide it.
Trevor Boyle
Director and Financial Planner
Trevor has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry, including a long standing position with one of our major banks where he was consistently rated in the top four financial planners in Australia.
In early March 2008, Trevor established Quay Financial planning in Geelong which offers traditional financial planning services specialising in retirement planning. Quay Financial Planning is the first and only financial planning practice in Geelong to offer a formal retirement counselling process and service to its clientele.
Trevor has extensive experience providing strategic planning advice and ongoing service to clients in various stages of their lives, ranging from those beginning their careers, families of all ages, retirees, companies and businesses both small and large.
Trevor has a unique ability to translate complicated financial planning concepts into a language others can understand and is passionate about educating and helping others. Trevor is a co-owner and developer of an educational board game called “Mazerro – Where Kids Learn to Master Money” which teaches children money handling skills and concepts. Mazerro was featured on the “Today Show” by Channel 9 finance expert Ross Greenwood and has been purchased by the public across Australia. Access to “Mazerro” is available via Quay Financial Planning’s website
Trevor Boyle is an authorised representative (322857) of Rimbal Investment Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 472548).
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Relevant Articles...
The Tax Ruling That Could Affect Every Family Trust in Australia
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
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
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.
The End of an Era for Negative Gearing?
For decades, negative gearing and the capital gains tax (CGT) discount have shaped the way Australians invest in property. Recently, with the Federal Government reviewing these policies ahead of the May 2026 budget, we could be looking at significant reform. In this article, we examine the proposed changes, including caps on investment property deductions and reductions to the CGT discount, while exploring the competing arguments from both sides of the housing debate. Whether you are saving for your first home or managing a rental portfolio, read on to find out what these potential tax shifts could mean for you and why they are happening.