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We’re excited to share that we’ve upgraded our client signing experience—now powered by FuseSign! This intuitive, secure platform lets you sign documents in minutes (not days), straight from any device, and is simple to use. There’s no need to download apps or remember passwords - just click the link, review your documents, and sign. With industry-leading security and a smooth, hassle-free process, signing important documents has never been faster or easier. You can find out more about FuseSign Here
As part of its re-election commitment, the Federal Government has passed legislation to reduce all outstanding HECS-HELP debts by 20%. The Bill passed the Senate on 31 July 2025 and will come into effect once it receives Royal Assent. The reduction will be applied retrospectively to student loan balances held as at 1 June 2025. While many borrowers have recently seen their loan balances increase due to the 3.2% annual indexation, the Government has confirmed that the 20% discount will be calculated based on the loan amount before indexation was applied. How the Reduction Will Work: Once the legislation is in effect, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will automatically apply the 20% reduction to eligible student loan accounts. Indexation will also be recalculated using the reduced loan balance, delivering further relief for borrowers. This change builds on previous reforms that now link indexation to the lower of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or Wage Price Index (WPI), rather than CPI alone, an approach designed to ease the financial pressure on graduates. Lodging Your Tax Return: If you’re getting ready to lodge your tax return, you don’t need to delay. The ATO will automatically apply the discount in the coming months. If you’ve fully repaid your student loan since 1 June 2025, you may be eligible for a refund equivalent to the 20% discount (subject to any other outstanding tax liabilities). Other Changes to Student Loan Repayments: The legislation also introduces changes to repayment thresholds. From 1 July 2025, the minimum income threshold for compulsory student loan repayments will increase from $54,435 to $67,000, making repayments more equitable. If you have any questions about how these changes may affect you or your tax return, please get in touch with CoggerGurry today, we’re here to help. Tel: 03 5571 0111
Parliament has resumed, and we are watching closely for the introduction of the Division 296 tax Bill to the lower house. While the Government is managing a number of priorities, the extra time provides us with the opportunity to continue planning with clients who may be affected and to ensure we are ready when the legislation is finalised. Although no update has been given on whether the 1 July 2025 start date will be deferred, we’ll keep you informed as soon as there is more clarity. In the meantime, rest assured that we are monitoring developments carefully and will provide guidance and advice as soon as the position becomes clearer.
Effective 1 July 2025, businesses can no longer claim income tax deductions for interest charges imposed by the ATO on unpaid or underpaid tax liabilities. This change applies to general interest charge (GIC) and shortfall interest charge (SIC) amounts incurred in income years starting on or after 1 July 2025. Previously, businesses could deduct ATO-imposed interest charges on overdue tax debts, reducing the net cost of these charges. From 1 July 2025, this deduction is no longer available, meaning any GIC or SIC incurred from this date cannot be claimed as a tax deduction, regardless of when the underlying tax debt arose. For example, if a business incurs GIC on an unpaid income tax liability after 1 July 2025, this interest expense is not deductible in its tax return for the 2025–2026 income year or subsequent years. This legislative change is significant for businesses that manage cash flow by deferring tax payments, as the cost of carrying tax debt will effectively increase. Without the tax deduction, the real cost of ATO interest charges rises, making it more expensive to delay tax payments. The ATO applies GIC on unpaid tax liabilities at a rate that is reviewed quarterly and compounds daily. As of the latest update, the GIC rate is 10.78%. The removal of tax deductibility for ATO interest charges underscores the importance of timely tax compliance. Businesses should act promptly to adjust their financial strategies, ensuring that they are not adversely affected by increased costs associated with overdue tax payments. Please contact our office if you have any questions or queries - 03) 5571 0111
Please note that Xero has recently made changes to their subscription plans with the major change of added Payroll and Superannuation functionality to their Ignite and Grow plans. As we are at the start of a new financial year this may be an appropriate time for you to review your business’s subscription level to ensure you are on the most suited plan for your business needs. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us to discuss your software needs. 03)5571 0111
If you have paid wages to employees in the 2025 financial year you will need to make a finalisation declaration by 14 July 2025 to ensure your employees can access their finalised information to complete their tax return. When you have reported and finalised your employees' information through STP, you are exempt from: providing payment summaries to your employees lodging a payment summary annual report. For payments to your employees that were not reported through STP, you still need to: give a payment summary to your employees provide the ATO with a payment summary annual report for these payment summaries. For small employers (19 or fewer employees) who only have closely held payees, the due date for end-of-year STP finalisation is the payee's tax return due date. If you would like to know more, you can visit Here
At CoggerGurry, we understand that every business is unique, with its own set of challenges and aspirations. Our Business Advisory services are designed to provide personalised, strategic support that aligns with your goals and helps you move confidently toward long-term success. We offer practical support in: Strategic Planning & Business Structuring – We help you set a clear direction for growth and resilience. Succession & Estate Planning – Guiding you through securing the future of your business and family wealth. Financial Analysis & Forecasting – Making sense of your numbers to inform smarter decisions. Cash Flow Management – Developing strategies to improve your cash position and future planning. Quarterly Business Reviews – Keeping you accountable and on track throughout the year. Now is a great time to take stock and set your business up for the new financial year. Whether you're looking to grow, manage risk, improve profitability, or plan for succession, our advisory services can help you get clarity and take action with confidence. Our approach is collaborative and long-term – we become part of your team. Based in Hamilton, Victoria, we bring regional knowledge, genuine relationships, and deep commercial expertise to help you and your business thrive. To learn more or book a confidential discussion, get in touch with our team. 03)5571 0111
Tax time is here – but don’t rush it! Here's what you need to know to get it right this year. When can you lodge? You can lodge anytime from 1 July, but the ATO recommends waiting until late July so your data (like income, interest, health insurance and dividends) can auto-fill correctly. In 2024, over 140,000 early lodgers needed amendments due to missing info. Waiting reduces errors and delays in processing. Key Dates: • Lodging yourself? Do it online via myGov by 31 October. • Lodging with CoggerGurry? Contact us to book your appointment. What’s new from 1 July 2025: • Parental Leave: Extended to 24 weeks & superannuation now paid on parental leave • ATO Interest: No longer tax-deductible • Minimum Wage: Increased to $24.95/hr Top tips while you wait to lodge: • Check your bank & contact details • Ensure your income statement is marked “Tax Ready” • Gather receipts, diaries & private health details • Review ATO deduction guides for your occupation Need help or not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered – get in touch today. - ( 03) 5571 0111
If someone close to you dies and you’re the one responsible for taking over their tax affairs, there are a number of steps you need to take to advise the ATO of their passing. This starts with establishing your identity with the ATO as the deceased’s representative, and formally notifying the ATO of the death, with a death certificate of the deceased or a grant of probate or letters of administration. To have full authority to manage the tax issues of someone who has died, you’ll need to be their authorised legal personal representative (LPR). A person’s LPR is usually the executor named in their will, or if no executor has been named, a court-appointed administrator (this can be the person’s next of kin). To be recognised as an LPR for tax purposes, you’ll need a supreme court (in your state) to recognise that the deceased’s will is legal, allowing you as the executor to represent the deceased’s estate and distribute their assets according to the will. Where there’s no will, a grant of letters of administration are issued to the person (this is often the next of kin) to manage the estate, and they are appointed as the administrator of the estate. You will need to be aware of whether the deceased person carried on a business and, if they did, you’ll need to seek specialised legal or tax advice. You also may need to lodge the deceased’s final tax return, known as the “date of death” tax return, and check if any other years’ tax returns are outstanding and arrange payment for those, with help from the ATO to access the deceased’s person’s tax information. If the estate of the deceased receives any income from assets such as rental property or shares, and/or is due to claim any tax refund or franking credits that are owed, the estate is treated as a trust for tax purposes, and you will need to lodge a trust tax return. You need to ensure that all tax liabilities have been paid, that credits owing to the deceased person and their estate have been received, and that all tax registrations (such as ABNs and registration for GST) have been cancelled. After all of these requirements are met, you will then be able to distribute the assets of the estate to the beneficiaries following probate. It’s important to be aware that finalising the administration of an estate can take six to 12 months, or sometimes longer.
