The way compulsory HELP and other study and training loan repayments are calculated has recently changed. If you have one of these loans, the new system may affect how much you repay.

If you’re thinking about taking a job overseas, don’t assume you’ll automatically become a foreign resident for Australian tax purposes. A recent Federal Court case involved an engineer who lived and worked in Dubai for around five years. Despite spending most of that time overseas, he remained an Australian tax resident under one of the residency tests.

Most people know to be cautious of unexpected texts, emails or phone calls claiming to be from the ATO. But not every costly mistake starts with a scam. Sometimes it starts with information that sounds convincing but turns out to be wrong.

You may be tempted to lodge your tax return on 1 July to tick that job off the list, or to chase a refund to help with cost of living pressures. However, the ATO has a clear message this year: slow down and get it right. Early lodgers are far more likely to make mistakes, but patience and taking time to get all your financial information together usually leads to a smoother result.

The 2026–2027 Federal Budget’s headline personal tax measures will reshape financial planning strategies from 2027. A new $250 working Australians tax offset (WATO) will apply from 1 July 2027, effectively increasing the tax-free threshold for work income to $19,985. Combined with the previously announced $1,000 standard deduction for work-related expenses, workers could see substantial tax savings.

In the Budget, the Government did not announce any further changes to the personal tax rates. However, the proposed new $250 working Australians tax offset (WATO) from 1 July 2027 is expected to increase the effective tax-free threshold for income derived from work by nearly $1,800 to $19,985 (or up to $24,985 for workers eligible for the low income tax offset (LITO).

The Federal Government has released draft legislation for a new “instant” standard tax deduction that would allow eligible taxpayers to claim work-related expenses at tax time without receipts. This would replace the current $300 no-receipt immediate deduction limit.

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming increasingly popular for answering money-related questions. While these tools can be helpful for summarising information and helping you work out what to research next, convenience doesn’t equal accuracy.