Get a jumpstart on your finances for 2026

Jack Staines • December 2, 2025

The new year is just around the corner and, while many are thinking about the holidays, a little planning now can help get your finances off to a flying start in 2026.

It’s not just about getting your paperwork done, it’s about spending some time considering the strategic side of your personal finances or business operations to make it more successful.


Where the ATO is focusing


With some changes to personal tax rules this financial year, it may be time to take a closer look at your tax affairs, particularly given the ATO’s focus is on personal deduction claims.


The tax regulator is continuing to emphasise its concern about some taxpayers’ work-related expense claims, deductions for investment properties and holiday homes, income from the sharing economy and cryptocurrency.i


Given this focus, it’s sensible to check you are following all the current tax rules and have the necessary documents to substantiate any deduction claims or income sources come 30 June.


For businesses, keep an eye on BAS lodgement dates and super contribution deadlines early in the new year to avoid missing them and copping a fine.


Upcoming tax rate changes


From 1 July 2026, the tax rate for individual income between $18,201 and $45,000 will be reduced from 16% to 15%.ii


From 1 July 2027, there will be a further reduction to 14% for individual taxpayers. It’s worth checking the potential impact of these changes as you may need to update your existing salary packaging or super contribution arrangement with your employer.


It may also be worthwhile reviewing any capital gains tax obligations for this financial year and offset them against any capital losses.


Review your super position

With higher non-concessional contributions and total super balance caps in place for 2025-26, if you intend to make extra contributions into your super account prior to 30 June, check your account balance for the prior year to avoid exceeding your annual cap limits.


People with higher super account balances (over $3 million) should also review the Treasurer’s revisions to the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions (Division 296) legislation.iii


These adjustments include the introduction of a second threshold on balances above $10 million and indexing of the threshold for balances between $3 million and $10 million.


Getting your business’ paperwork in order


Business taxpayers also need to focus on super, as 1 July will see the start of the new Payday Superannuation rules, which requires employers to make their Super Guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time they make wages and salary payments.iv


Preparations for this major change include checking whether your payroll software will be ready to cope with the shift from quarterly to more regular contribution payments.


At an operational level, employers traditionally paying their SG contributions on a quarterly basis should model the likely impact of the new payment rules on their business cashflow.


And don’t forget to ensure your digital records are secure and backed up. With the ever increasing threat of cybercrime, enable two-factor authentication, update passwords and review your data storage practices.


Strategic issues to consider


Now is also a good time to review your budget and financial position. Identify any potential bad debts that should be followed up in the new year.


Consider timing income and expenses strategically. For example, you may be able to defer income or bring forward tax deductible expenses. Depending on how the business is performing, start evaluating any planned deductible purchases or expenses now, rather than waiting until just prior to EOFY.


Although the government’s announced extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off to this financial year is yet to be made law, consider whether you will take advantage of it. For new business assets to be eligible, they must be installed and ready to use by 30 June.


If you need help preparing your tax affairs or business strategy for 2026, contact our office today.


i ATO unveils ‘wild’ tax deduction attempts and priorities for 2025 | Australian Taxation Office

ii Personal income tax - new tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer | Australian Taxation Office

iii Reforms to support low-income workers and build a stronger super system | Treasury.gov.au

iv Payday superannuation | Australian Taxation Office

Do you know how your super is performing?

By Nikki Ashurst • November 2, 2026
Many Australians don't know how their super fund has performed or what it invests in. Are you one of them? Here's what to check and why it matters. Do you know how your super fund performed over the last two years? Many Australians don’t and are working towards their financial future without fully understanding one of their most important assets and without a clear plan for how their super may support them in retirement. That's not surprising, as many people view super as something that should run quietly in the background while they're busy with careers, families and everything else that life throws at them. But when you’re not sure what’s happening behind your balance, it’s harder to know whether you’re on track, whether your current approach reflects your goals or what opportunities might be available to help you make the most of what you’ve built so far. Your super isn't sitting in an account, it's invested Super is invested by a fund on your behalf across a mix of assets, with those investments working to grow your balance over time. Those include: Shares Ownership in Australian and international publicly listed companies. Their value can rise and fall, sometimes substantially over short periods but shares can provide capital growth over the long term. Property and infrastructure Real assets like office buildings, shopping centres, airports and energy networks. They can produce income and don't always behave in the same way as share markets, helping diversify investment holdings. Fixed interest and bonds Lending to governments and companies in return for interest. They can provide regular income and be steadier than shares, although returns and risk vary depending on the investment. Cash Generally, the most stable and lowest risk investment type. It can provide stability and faster access to money but typically offers lower longer term return potential. The investment option you choose determines the mix of assets held in your super based on your risk appetite. Most super funds offer options from conservative to high growth. If you’re young, a growth option with a higher exposure to growth assets like shares could offer higher returns over time – but it also comes with higher risk. As retirement nears, you might want to consider a more conservative approach with more defensive assets, like bonds for example to protect your savings. If you've never made a choice, you're probably in your fund's default option, which is designed to suit a broad membership. It’s worth knowing whether the mix you're in matches your circumstances and goals, including how far you are from retirement. Why performance alone is not a true comparison If you're thinking about how your super compares, returns are often where people start. The trouble is that a return figure means nothing without context: What it's being compared to Growth and conservative options invest differently and with different levels of risk. Compare like with like or the comparison may not be genuine. The comparison period A single year can be heavily influenced by short term market conditions. Super is measured in decades, so five, seven and ten year returns tell you far more about whether a fund is consistently doing its job, albeit not a predictor of future performance. Fees and tax Published returns should reflect investment fees, costs and tax but administration fees may be charged separately from your balance. Two funds quoting the same return can leave you in meaningfully different places once all fees are accounted for. Then there are the things that returns can't show you at all. For example, what insurance is attached to your account and what it's costing you, whether the fund offers guidance, tools and advice or simply sends a statement once a year. Another consideration maybe the level of support available when you need it. When comparing funds, it's worth looking at the full picture, including performance, fees, investment options, retirement support and member benefits. What today’s decisions mean tomorrow To understand how your super stacks up, start here: Find your investment option It's on your annual statement and in your online account. Look at what's in it Your fund publishes the asset allocation (shares, cash etc.) for each investment option. Check the long-term return for that option Focus on five and ten year returns, not just last year and compare them with equivalent options. Understand the total cost Add together administration fees, investment fees and insurance premiums as an annual dollar figure. Comparing super is about working out which option will perform best for you. Before you jump in, it’s worth understanding what's behind the numbers so you can make decisions based on more than a headline return. Knowing where you stand is the first step A super balance tells you where you are today. Understanding how your super is invested, how it compares and whether it's aligned with your goals helps show whether you're heading in the right direction. Source: MLC The information in this article does not take into account your objectives, needs and circumstances. We recommend that you obtain investment and taxation advice specific to your investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs before making any investment decision or acting on any of the information contained in this document. Subject to law, Capstone Financial Planning nor their directors, employees or authorised representatives gives any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information; or accepts any responsibility for any person acting, or refraining from acting, on the basis of the information contained in this document. Principal Wealth Management Pty Ltd trading as BMO Financial Solutions ABN 53 109 336 601 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 277821) of Capstone Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 24 093 733 969 Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 223135.

The SMSF landscape is changing

By Jude Schofield • October 7, 2026
More Australians are choosing to take direct control of their retirement savings by establishing a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and according to the SMSF Association, Aussies now see their super as an important part of building and managing their overall wealth.