The final quarter of the financial year tends to flyby quite quickly, but this time of year is an opportunity to reflect on your goals and assess if any of your circumstances have changed, or finalise any tasks that needs to be wrapped up so we can adjust your strategy.
As your Wealth Managers, we review client portfolios regularly throughout the year, and in this final stretch we delve into what has occurred this year, what we expect in the future, and adjust your strategy to prepare. At the same time, there are also some items that you might consider looking at to make sure you are well-positioned to finish the year.
Super contributions
Super remains one of the most tax-effective investment vehicles, and there are several ways to optimise your contributions.
Additional contributions to your Super can be used to maximise your concessional super contributions (within the relevant limits), do a concessional contribution ‘catch up’ or simply make a non-concessional contribution. Alternatively, it could be used to boost your spouse’s super, particularly when your spouse is on a lower income.
These strategies are not applicable to everyone, and you need to consider what is right for your circumstances and to reach your goals. Before you make any changes or make additional contributions to your Super, you may consider reviewing the performance of your fund and your overall financial strategy.
Review investments, income and debts
With the end of financial year approaching, now is the time to review your income, debts and investments to determine if any additional steps should be taken to minimise your tax contributions.
If you have had a significant change to your cashflow this year such as a lump sum payout, reduced income, or are expecting a significant drop in your cashflow next year, this quarter is an opportunity to review your strategy to ensure that you are optimising your available resources in alignment with your financial goals.
Tax obligations
Tax planning is a key element of wealth creation. By fine-tuning your finances, such as salary packaging, superannuation, investments, and tax-deductible debt, we can strategically manage the amount of tax you pay. Because there are so many factors that contribute to the amount of tax you pay, it is important to obtain comprehensive advice.
As Wealth Managers, we don’t provide tax advice, however, we do work closely with your accountant to ensure your financial strategies are structured in a way that can reduce tax and optimise your returns on your portfolio.
Tax planning means making sure that you have the correct structures in place and are utilising any tax offsets or deductions that are available to you. It also means that if you are expecting a tax bill you can understand what your obligations will be so you can prepare and not be surprised at the end of the year.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and tax concessions can change each year, which is why it is important to speak with a professional who can help you navigate your obligations and ensure you remain compliant across your portfolio.
We recommend booking a tax planning session with your Accountant to review your strategy and be prepared for tax time. Your tax planning session may cover:
- Maximising your after-tax income.
- Salary packaging.
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) management.
- Borrowing to invest, or gearing.
- Small business and capital gains tax exemptions that may be applicable.
- Generic tax planning advice
- Pre-paying business expenses so they can offset this years’ income.
It’s never too late to get the structure of your asset ownership right. If your circumstances have changed over the year, you may consider whether the structure of your financial assets and resources should be updated.
Charitable donations
While many individuals make charitable gifts year-round, we find that charitable giving tends to increase at this time of year. Many take this opportunity to explore the most effective ways to contribute to their favourite causes by combining philanthropic contributions with a strategic financial approach, such as using trusts or tax-deductible donations, to ensure the greatest impact on both the receiving beneficiaries and our client’s portfolio.
Taking time to review your finances and make sure everything is in order can have a great impact on your wealth. It’s an important time of year to take stock of where you are financially and take steps to ensure stability and growth. This may include tax planning strategies, reviewing your superannuation contributions, or updating your will and succession plans to ensure that you are in a better position at the start of the next year. With careful planning, you can make sure you are financially ready for whatever comes your way.
Chat to our team about how we can help you with your Wealth Management plan today.
