Watch out for tax scams

Watch out for tax scams Tax time is approaching and that means a juicy refund may be just around the corner. It’s a busy time for scammers too, and last year alone 48,000 Australians fell prey to tax scams between July and October. Already this year, the Tax Office has registered over 17,067 scam reports with victims collectively losing $1.5 million to fraudsters. That makes it worth knowing what to watch out for to keep …

It pays to contribute to your partner’s super

It pays to contribute to your partner’s super If your spouse is a stay-at-home parent, working part-time or out of work, adding to their super could benefit you both financially. If your spouse (husband, wife, de facto or same-sex partner) is a low-income earner or not working at the moment, chances are they’re accumulating little or no super at all to fund their retirement. The good news is, if you help by contributing some of …

Selfie obsessions – What’s it all about?

Selfie obsessions – What’s it all about? Mirror on the wall In 2013, “selfie” was officially added to the Oxford Dictionary. It refers to a person taking a photo of themselves with their own phone or camera. The idea of taking a self-portrait isn’t really new. It seems since the beginning of time we’ve felt the need to capture ourselves in some way – cave drawings, painted portraits, photo-booths. And now with the reverse camera …

Five tax deductions to know about

Five tax deductions to know about You’re probably well aware you can claim a tax deduction for general work-related expenses. But did you know you may be able to claim if: 1. You take a course or study. You may be able to claim a portion of self-education expenses if it’s related to your ability to earn an income. 2. You travel to inspect your investment property. You may be able to claim for expenses …