![There are a variety of errors that taxpayers can commit when filling out their tax return – whether mistakenly or otherwise.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/x/i/l/3/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gy3x6f.png/1503622283471.jpg)
Tax
![There are a variety of errors that taxpayers can commit when filling out their tax return – whether mistakenly or otherwise.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/x/i/l/3/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gy3x6f.png/1503622283471.jpg)
How super contributions can reduce capital gains tax
![Superannuation contributions can be used to reduce your capital gains tax liability.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/q/t/q/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gy3bm2.png/1503553806322.jpg)
Making tax-deductible superannuation contributions to reduce capital gains tax is now a strategy available to more people.
Our obsession with tax deductions is peculiarly Australian ... and pointless
![Artist: Matt Davidson](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/2/r/l/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gy23en.png/1503532874675.jpg)
Most of us have better things to do than juggling boxes of receipts.
The $75 a year reason women need 'their heads read'
![Australians claim about $23 billion in tax deductions for work-related expenses each year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/0/h/l/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxw153.png/1502809318690.jpg)
It's time for women to change their thinking on tax deductions.
Labor's war on trusts not all it's cracked up to be
![Opposition Leader Bill Shorten claims that family trusts are used to avoid paying a 'fair share of tax'.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/o/5/0/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxo4z7.png/1502186222273.jpg)
The parliamentary landscape got even murkier last week with opposition Bill Shorten's rant against "inequality" and his promise to make the rich pay "their fair share of tax".
Shorten channels Howard, Costello and Hockey
![Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has said tackling inequality will be Labor's defining mission going into the next election.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/l/m/h/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxltqu.png/1501625346927.jpg)
Every living Liberal treasurer but the latest has wanted to tighten the tax treatment of trusts.
Australia's multibillion-dollar legal tax avoidance loophole
![Trusts are an increasingly popular - and legal - way to minimise tax.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/n/6/w/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxf3k7.png/1500696730676.jpg)
Billions of dollars of tax revenue is being lost due to wealthy Australians using family trusts.
Investors falling foul of rules on tax-deductible interest
![If you're claiming interest on an investment loan for a tax deduction, you need to keep it 100 per cent separate from ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/f/4/3/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gxf3qe.png/1500651734196.jpg)
It is still common for people to find themselves in financial strife because they do not understand the tax implications of their actions.
Tax time: top work-related expenses ATO's eyeing
![Australians claim about $23 billion in tax deductions for work-related expenses each year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/0/h/l/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gx0gny.png/1502805595803.jpg)
Higher-than-expected tax deductions relating to cars, travel, clothing, internet and mobile phones, and self-education expenses are among the top claims the tax man will be keeping a close eye on this tax time.
Transition to retirement still worthwhile – but not for the tax perks
![Your 50s can be a time to try new things in work and leisure.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/0/a/5/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gx09ck.png/1498622587915.jpg)
Despite limited tax incentives, there are some compelling reasons why a TTR income stream might still be for you.
Sharing economy, rental property and work deductions in ATO's sights
![Each tax return is now scrutinised by the Tax Office, matching 650 million pieces of data.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/h/l/f/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwzj1n.png/1501201579434.jpg)
Those working as Uber drivers, letting rooms on Airbnb and offering services through AirTasker are in the sights of the Tax Office this year.
No tax revolt as Australians happy with what they pay
![Treasurer Scott Morrison's efforts to distinguish "good debt" from "bad debt" in the lead-up to the budget appear to ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/i/f/w/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwph15.png/1497417517988.jpg)
Most of us think high earners pay too little, corporations pay too little, and what we pay is about right.
Ten things you're doing wrong at tax time
![Some argue that changes to the tax treatment of family trusts will not turn many people off them because of their role ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/x/i/m/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwo5p1.png/1501848775104.jpg)
Putting together a tax return isn't something most people relish.
Meet the real high taxpayers. They're not high earners
![Illustration: Matt Davidson](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/c/c/z/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwbt6t.png/1500510934044.jpg)
The budget pushed low-income earners' marginal tax rate up towards 100 per cent.
The one thing most investors get wrong
![Remember: An investment's tax benefits are the cream on the cake.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/p/8/9/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7lft.png/1495206701987.jpg)
There is anecdotal evidence that regulatory measures and budget proposals are having an effect on the housing market, which is a sad reflection on the mentality of the average property investor.
Buying property with your super fund has drawbacks
![If you're investing in property, you're probably better off buying it in your personal name than your self-managed super ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/b/g/f/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvt6ke.png/1493249063492.jpg)
Whether or not the government removes the ability of self-managed super funds to borrow to purchase property or other investments, the implications for investors are relatively minor.
You'll lose 2 per cent of your taxable profit selling before June 30
![Vendors will potentially pay less tax if the hammer falls after June 30.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/g/y/v/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvrbrv.png/1493131711651.jpg)
There's nothing like a forewarned tax change to distort behaviour.
Meet the 48 millionaires who pay no income tax
![The ATO's services have been continually taken offline for hours, proving especially frustrating for Australians looking ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/0/9/d/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvnkxh.png/1502065036528.jpg)
A million dollars' worth of tax advice can cut your tax bill to zero.
The benefits of capital gains tax
![Illustration: Michael Mucci](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/g/5/g/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk4su.png/1492505231939.jpg)
Understanding the fine details of capital gains tax can improve investment returns.
The $300m GST grab hardly anyone knows about
![GST will be charged on low-value items and digital products and services bought from overseas after July this year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/g/d/z/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvgcfb.png/1496283534767.jpg)
Australians will soon be paying GST on nearly all purchases from overseas websites, including low-value items and digital products and services.
Time to 'get serious' about interest-only loans
![Mark Bouris is not a fan of 'sledgehammer government responses to the property market' because they might fuel the problem.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/b/b/i/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvfc9a.png/1491522570750.jpg)
The longer the property boom in Sydney and Melbourne goes on, the more avenues we explore to put a cap on buyer exuberance.
Why property investors won't take their profits
![It's better to sell investments when you're no longer working to minimise the capital gains tax bill.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/8/n/o/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvfeo5.png/1491696498471.jpg)
If you're working, contributing to super beats paying off investment debt.
How the Senate saved the government from itself
![Treasury Secretary John Fraser says foreign investors are concerned with the rule of law, access to energy and the ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/n/q/5/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvb1w1.png/1491624401529.jpg)
Why do companies invest here? We mightn't have needed to cut that company tax much anyway.
Tax hacks for the last quarter of the financial year
![The figures show that the average Australian claims $3041 of deductions on their tax return.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/h/l/f/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv79ol.png/1501201579434.jpg)
If you're smart, you'll use this quarter to ensure you're making the most of your tax situation.
Thorny questions as federal budget looms
![Could inheritance tax – and a gift tax – go back on the national agenda?](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/9/k/9/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv4fxd.png/1490443353356.jpg)
It's just six weeks to budget night and, as usual, a lot of ideas are being floated.
How Turnbull can kill stamp duty and produce a budget to remember
![Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has the chance to do something transformative and lasting in May's budget.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/2/2/6/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv3kgs.png/1490501340873.jpg)
There's still time to craft a budget that actually does something.
Adopt US model of tax deductions for homeowners, not investors
![The government has a few options to help first-home buyers.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/w/t/b/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.guzavv.png/1489626812403.jpg)
The US tax system is heavily biased in favour of owners of modest properties with mortgage commitments and limits the subsidy available to geared investors.
Why taxpayers get a good deal from funding childcare
![Quality early childhood care and education has enormous economic and social benefits.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/q/i/z/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.guqisj.png/1490958660654.jpg)
It's time to bust the myth that childcare subsidies are middle-class welfare.
The Tax Office may be reading your social media
![Katy Perry's Apple watch on her Instagram feed.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/r/g/3/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gum0hg.png/1488158983160.jpg)
What the Tax Office is attempting to catch is nothing new – undisclosed income and dodgy deductions – it's just added a new way to catch you out.
The science of money
![Data is the new currency.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170827204350im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/g/d/6/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gugd5w.png/1496092296506.jpg)
The Centrelink debt demands are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how data is used in your financial life.