Rawson Verco Need

The $30 Million "Gift" That Wasn't - Most people assume gifts from family overseas aren't taxable. The Cheung case - decided by the Full Federal Court in May 2026 - is a costly reminder of how quickly that assumption can unravel.

https://rvn.com.au/news/rvn-next-move-august-2026/

Rene Cheung received more than $30 million from his sister in Vanuatu across 99 deposits over a decade. He said they were gifts. He won at the Federal Court in 2024 - and then lost when the Commissioner appealed. The Full Court found the documentation and consistency of evidence wasn't enough to discharge the onus of proof. The entire amount became taxable income.

The burden in a tax dispute sits with the taxpayer, not the ATO. That means having a deed of gift, the donor's bank statements, formal ID, and a clear paper trail - gathered at the time of the transfer, not years later when a review arrives. Every international transfer over $10,000 is already reported to AUSTRAC.

If family overseas is planning to send you money of any kind, contact us before the transfer — a short conversation and the right paperwork can save an argument worth far more than the gift itself.

👉 Read the article: https://rvn.com.au/news/rvn-next-move-august-2026/

If you've borrowed money and lent it to your family trust interest-free, you may be claiming an interest deduction you're not entitled to - and the ATO takes a firm view on this exact arrangement.

https://rvn.com.au/news/rvn-next-move-august-2026/

The rule is straightforward: to claim interest, the borrowed money must be earning you assessable income. Lending it to your trust at no interest means the loan earns you nothing. The distribution you later receive is the trustee's discretion - it's not a return on your loan, and with a discretionary trust, no one is guaranteed one.

There are two clean ways to structure this correctly: a genuine loan to the trust at a commercial interest rate, properly documented, or an agency arrangement where the trust is the true borrower from the outset. Both work - but only if they're in place before you borrow. Neither can be fixed after the fact.

If you're thinking about borrowing to invest through your family trust, let's talk before anything is signed - the right structure needs to be set up from the start.
👉 Read the article: https://rvn.com.au/news/rvn-next-move-august-2026/

"But I Can't Do My Job Without It" - There's a common misconception in tax law: if an expense is unavoidable for your job, you can claim it. The truth is, unavoidability is just the first of three questions your deduction has to answer.

https://rvn.com.au/news/rvn-next-move-august-2026/

Whether it's a suit, a daily parking fine, or a business logo on the car the expense might be completely real and genuinely necessary. But the tax law doesn't reward necessity. It asks whether the cost is private in nature, whether it's really the purchase of a lasting asset, and whether a specific rule blocks it entirely.

Suits are conventional clothing. Grooming is personal. Parking fines are specifically blocked by legislation - no matter how unavoidable the situation. An expense has to clear all three questions, and being unavoidable only helps with the first.
If you're unsure whether a work-related expense qualifies, reach out to us before lodgement - we're happy to talk it through.

👉 Read the article: https://rvn.com.au/news/rvn-next-move-august-2026/

New AML / CTF Laws - From 1 July 2026, Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws will apply to a wider range of professional services, including certain services provided by accountants.

What does this mean for you?

You may notice that we occasionally request additional information when assisting with matters involving companies, trusts, business structures, asset transactions and other services covered by the new legislation.

This may include:

• Identity documents • Details of directors, trustees, shareholders or beneficiaries • Information about the purpose of the work we are undertaking • Source of funds or wealth information where required • Updates if your ownership or contact details change

These checks are part of our legal obligations and help protect our clients, our firm and the Australian financial system.

In many cases, the information requested will be straightforward and may already be on file.

We are updating our procedures to make the process as simple, secure and efficient as possible, and we will always explain what information is needed and why.

📌 No action is required unless we contact you directly.

If you have any questions about how the new AML/CTF requirements may affect the services we provide to you, please contact our office.

Don't Let Tax Drive Your Investment Decisions

Tax rules can influence investment decisions - but they shouldn't be the only factor.

From 1 July 2027, negative gearing for residential property will be limited to new builds, with changes also proposed to the capital gains tax rules.

While tax concessions can be valuable, history has shown that quality, well-located established properties often outperform new builds over the long term through stronger capital growth.

When evaluating an investment property, ask yourself:

🏡 Is the location in demand?
📈 Does it have long-term growth potential?
🚉 Is there good infrastructure and employment nearby?
💰 Will the investment still make sense if tax rules change?

The best investment decisions are built on strong fundamentals - not just tax outcomes.

If you're planning to invest or review your property portfolio, we'd be happy to discuss how the upcoming changes may affect your strategy. See more information regarding the tax changes in our newsletter - https://rvn.com.au/news/

When was the last time you reviewed your will?

Recent proposed tax changes could affect how testamentary trusts created through a will are taxed in the future.

While the legislation has not yet been passed, it highlights the importance of having an estate plan that is flexible enough to adapt if the rules change.

Rather than locking your beneficiaries into one structure, a well-drafted will can give your executor the flexibility to establish the most appropriate trust based on the laws in place at the time.

Estate planning isn't just about distributing assets—it's about protecting your family and preserving your options.

If it's been a while since you reviewed your will, now is an ideal time to revisit your estate plan. See more information in our latest newsletter - https://rvn.com.au/news/

From 1 July 2026, employers will no longer pay super quarterly. Instead, super contributions must be paid every payday and received by your employees' super funds within 7 business days.

This means businesses should review their:

✔ Payroll software
✔ Super clearing house arrangements
✔ Cash flow planning

Late payments can trigger the Super Guarantee Charge, with interest and significant penalties applying.

If you're currently relying on the quarterly payment schedule to manage cash flow, now is the time to adjust your processes before the new rules take effect.

Need help preparing your business? Our team can help ensure you're ready before your first payroll under the new system.

https://rvn.com.au/news/

If you run a self-managed super fund (SMSF), there are important end-of-financial-year obligations that must be completed by 30 June 2026. Missing key deadlines can lead to unnecessary tax consequences and compliance issues.

Before the financial year ends, make sure you:

✔️ Pay the minimum pension amount if your fund is paying an account-based pension or transition to retirement income stream.
✔️ Check that all contributions are within the current concessional and non-concessional contribution caps.
✔️ Ensure all SMSF assets are valued at market value as at 30 June.
✔️ Review your investment strategy to confirm it still reflects your fund's objectives and current investments.
✔️ Update member records and confirm any binding death benefit nominations are still valid.
✔️ Organise your records so your auditor has everything needed to complete the annual audit on time.

**Also important:** If any member's super balance is approaching or exceeds $3 million, now is the time to seek advice. The new Division 296 tax applies from 1 July 2026, and for SMSFs holding illiquid assets such as property, it may have significant implications.

With the 30 June deadline fast approaching, now is the time to make sure your SMSF is compliant. If you're unsure whether you've met your obligations, contact us today - we're here to help.

**Disclaimer For External Distribution Purposes**

The information contained in this publication is for general information purposes only, professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. The receiver of this document accepts that this publication may only be distributed for the purposes previously stipulated and agreed upon at subscription. Neither the publishers nor the distributors can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of the contents of this publication.

EOFY is the perfect time to check your business isn't just busy—but profitable.

With 30 June fast approaching, now is the ideal time to review your business's financial performance and identify opportunities before the new financial year begins.

Here are four key areas to focus on:

Gross Profit Margin
Has your margin dropped compared to last year or your budget? Rising costs, outdated pricing, or a shift to lower-margin work could all be impacting your profitability.

Cash Flow & Debtor Days
How quickly are customers paying their invoices? Increasing debtor days can put pressure on cash flow. Review overdue accounts, tighten your invoicing process, and check that supplier payments are under control too.

Revenue vs Forecast
Compare your year-to-date revenue against your original budget. If you're behind, identify why. If you're ahead, consider whether it's time to invest in the business before 30 June.

Tax Planning
Now is also the time to review bad debts, obsolete stock, unused assets, and whether bringing forward eligible purchases or prepayments could benefit your tax position. These decisions should always be discussed with your accountant.

Businesses that regularly monitor their numbers make better decisions than those that only look at them at tax time. A simple review now can help uncover issues early, improve cash flow, and set your business up for a stronger year ahead.

If you'd like help reviewing your business performance or planning before 30 June, get in touch with our team. We're here to help you finish the financial year with confidence.

Does your private company have a loan to you or a related party? Don't overlook Division 7A before 30 June.

If your private company has lent money to you, a family member, a trust, or another entity you control, Division 7A may apply. If these loans aren't managed correctly, the ATO can treat them as an unfranked dividend, adding the amount to your personal taxable income with no franking credits to reduce the tax payable.

To remain compliant, Division 7A loans generally need:
• A written loan agreement that meets ATO requirements.
• Interest charged at least at the ATO benchmark rate (8.77% for 2025–26).
• Repayment within the required term (typically 7 years unsecured or up to 25 years if secured by a registered mortgage).
• The agreement in place by the company's tax return lodgement date.

Remember, Division 7A doesn't just apply to formal loans. It can also cover personal expenses paid by the company or debts that are forgiven.

**Before 30 June, make sure you:**
✅ Have made the minimum yearly repayment on existing Division 7A loans.
✅ Review any new loans made during the year and ensure the required documentation is prepared.
✅ Seek advice if repayments may create cash flow issues, as there may be legitimate planning options available.

Getting Division 7A wrong can result in unexpected tax, penalties and interest, and it's an area the ATO monitors closely.

If you're unsure whether Division 7A applies to you, or you have a loan from your company, contact us before 30 June. We'll review your arrangements, ensure repayments are up to date, and help you avoid an unexpected tax bill.