Blog

With the end of the financial year (EOFY) 2025 approaching, I’ve been reflecting on how far Freshwater Taxation has come since its launch back in 2012. What began as a solo venture has grown into an award-winning firm I’m proud of — though it’s been far from easy. Being a single mum, raising two young girls, and running a busy accounting firm (in one of the busiest industries you could choose!) has stretched me in ways I never imagined. There’s been joy, exhaustion, growth, tears, and plenty of late nights. But there have also been hard-won lessons that I know will resonate with anyone trying to balance business, parenting, and life.

Investing in property is about more than just picking the right house in the right suburb. To truly maximise your returns and avoid costly mistakes, you need to understand how property ownership works from a tax and legal perspective. The choices you make at the beginning—like whose name goes on the title, how you handle expenses, and what you can claim—can have long-term impacts on your wealth and cash flow. In this blog post, we break down the key things every smart investor should consider before signing on the dotted line.

As we approach the end of the 2025 financial year, now is the time to be proactive with tax planning, especially with a federal election around the corner and potential future policy changes ahead.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist of what to consider before 30 June 2025:

This morning, I had the absolute honour of speaking at the Bayview Golf Club about one of my favourite topics: the common traps small business owners fall into — and how to avoid them. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for a few years and are feeling burnt out, these lessons are golden.

When you hear the words “tax planning,” you might assume it’s only relevant for the wealthy or large companies. In reality, tax planning is one of the most powerful tools available to small business owners, sole traders, and individuals with investments or multiple income streams.

When done properly, it can help you legally reduce the amount of tax you pay, avoid unwelcome surprises at tax time, and plan ahead with confidence.

The 2025–26 Federal Budget was handed down on 25 March, and with an election on the horizon, it’s no surprise this one is heavy on headlines and light on deeper reform. There’s something in it for most Australians — but there’s also a lot it doesn’t address, particularly for small business owners.

This week, I had the honour of speaking on the main stage at the Accounting & Business Expo 2025 in Sydney, where I shared the journey of Freshwater Taxation along with common mistakes that small business owners can easily make. I also discussed how these mistakes can be fixed, and – most importantly- how to avoid them altogether.

Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is a tax that employers must pay on non-cash benefits provided to employees (or their family members) in addition to salary or wages. It applies to all business structures, including companies, partnerships, and sole traders with employees. It even applies to non-profit organisations (although some exemptions apply for charities).

If you’ve recently started a company or transitioned from being a sole trader or partnership, understanding Division 7A of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 is essential. These tax rules prevent private companies from distributing money to shareholders and associates without the correct tax being paid.