Clarke McEwan Accountants and Business Advisors

On Tuesday, 12 May 2026, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the ‘most important and ambitious Budget in decades’. Certainly, the 2026-27 Federal Budget was ambitious, announcing significant reforms to capital gains tax and negative gearing in a bid to support home ownership and improve the fairness of the tax system.

Federal Budget 2026-27: Key Announcements Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals | Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

The ATO has issued a Draft Taxation Determination TD 2026/D1 which looks at how inherited family homes are treated for CGT purposes. Some industry commentators have dubbed it a “death tax by stealth”, but it is a bit more complex than this. The draft guidance focuses on a specific aspect of the rules around applying the main residence exemption to inherited properties, potentially exposing deceased estates and beneficiaries to significant tax if not planned correctly. Please read our article for further details.

ATO Update on Inherited Homes: What it Means for Your Family’s Wealth Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

When clients sell a long-held family home, they may be able to channel part of the proceeds into superannuation by using the downsizer contribution rules. For more information, read our latest client article at the link below.

Downsizer Contributions and the Main Residence Exemption Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice. By late 2025, they account for more than 8% of new car sales in Australia, driven in no small part by generous tax incentives. One of the most significant is the Federal Government’s Electric Car Discount, introduced in mid-2022. For many businesses and employees, it has materially reduced the cost of owning or leasing an EV. If you are considering buying an EV its important to understand the rules and the potential changes ahead.

Electric Car Discounts Under Review: What It Means for Your Business (and What You Should Do Now) Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

For many Australians, a holiday home does double duty. It’s a place to escape with family and friends, and during the rest of the year it’s listed on Airbnb or Stayz to help cover the costs. However, that position is now under more scrutiny than ever following the release of some new draft guidance documents by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) - TR 2025/D1, PCG 2025/D6 and PCG 2025/D7. For further details, please read our recent website article at this link.

Holiday Homes Under the Microscope: What the ATO’s New Guidance Means for You Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

When you work in healthcare, your time is best spent where it matters most: caring for people. But for many healthcare practices, that mission is being held back by outdated systems, manual admin, and time-consuming compliance tasks. By embracing technology, practices can improve operational efficiency, enhance the patient experience, and even boost their financial health.

With years of experience working alongside medical practices, Clarke McEwan understands that healthcare accounting isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. Contact our office today for a no obligation consultation. Accounting for medical practices is what we do—and we’ve been doing it well for many years!!

Better systems, better care: How automation is transforming the future of healthcare | Xero Blog Smart digital tools give healthcare providers the freedom to focus on delivering high-quality care while staying financially healthy and compliant.

Payday super is due to begin in July 2026. Is your payroll process ready? We’ve outlined the key requirements and how payday super could impact your small business.

Super on Payday: Fundamental Changes for Employers Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

SME conditions for the Aussie manufacturing sector are up 11 points in the latest NAB survey. Here are four things you can do to build on this improved outlook for manufacturing.

Key steps for stabilising your manufacturing business Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

The Government has reworked the proposed new tax — part of the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions (BTSC) policy — attempting to make it simpler, fairer, and more practical. After a wave of industry criticism, the revised version keeps the broad policy intent (reducing tax concessions for very large balances) but removes some of the more problematic features.

Super Tax Shake Up: Big Balances Beware Accountants, Tax Agents and Advisors to Professionals, Businesses and Individuals - Brisbane + Sunshine Coast Offices

What many people don’t know is that your super, and any life insurance in your super account, doesn’t automatically form part of your estate, and may therefore not be covered by your will. That’s why it’s important to consider what would happen with this money (referred to as your ‘death benefit’) when you pass away. If you don’t nominate a beneficiary, your super fund will – subject to the fund rules and super laws – decide who should receive your death benefits.

Who receives your super when you pass away? One of the most important parts of an estate plan is generally your will. A will is a legal document that governs how your estate (all the money and property you own) will be distributed when you pass away. Having a will in place can give you some certainty and peace of mind.